Skip to main content

Trip from Lakemoor, IL to Elmhurst, IL

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

55m

Distance

38.9 mi

63 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$6

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 13 min
4 AM
0h 51m ★
6 AM
0h 55m
8 AM
1h 4m
10 AM
0h 58m
12 PM
0h 57m
3 PM
0h 59m
5 PM
1h 4m
8 PM
0h 52m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Lakemoor, IL, IL

Lakemoor, IL

Lars H Knudsen

city in Illinois, United States

Elmhurst, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 38.9-mile drive from Lakemoor, IL, to Elmhurst, IL, will take you about 55 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. With 91% of the journey on highways, expect a quick and efficient commute through the Midwest. The estimated fuel cost is a modest $6, so you won't need to budget much for gas. This route is designed for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss, offering a direct connection within Illinois. Given its short duration and highway focus, it's best tackled in one go without the need for an overnight stay.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 55m. Total distance: 38.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

55m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this trip, with 91% of the drive taking place on major roads. You'll primarily be navigating US 12, IL 53, and I 290, which means consistent speeds and limited traffic signals for significant portions. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 17.3 miles on US 12, allowing for a good period of steady driving. This isn't a route for leisurely sightseeing; its character is defined by efficiency and directness, moving you swiftly across the landscape.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 12 is the longest continuous segment at about 17.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 12 and IL 53. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near US 12; IL 59.

Driving Effort 9/10

Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a short but busy drive. With 14 decision points packed into just 38.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 55m.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles (US 12; IL 59): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 23.8 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
1.8 mi into trip | ~2m in | US 12; IL 59

Turn right onto US 12; IL 59

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
19.2 mi into trip | ~27m in

Take the ramp toward IL 53 South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward IL 53 South
8
23.8 mi into trip | ~33m in | IL 53

Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53 toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
7
30.8 mi into trip | ~42m in | I 290

Keep slight right at fork onto I 290 toward I 290 East: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 290 East: Chicago
7
37.4 mi into trip | ~51m in

Take the exit toward York Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 12 Toward York Road

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 12 17.3 mi 24m
IL 53 11.3 mi 14m
I 290 6.6 mi 8m
West Belvidere Road 1.8 mi 2m
North York Street 0.7 mi 1m
North Addison Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
West Park Avenue 0.1 mi <1m
West 2nd Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 12 — 17.3 mi, about 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lakemoor, IL and Elmhurst, IL.

1

Start on IL 120

1.8 mi · 2 min · West Belvidere Road
Use the right lane.
2

Turn right onto US 12; IL 59

0.1 mi · 7 sec · US 12; IL 59
Use the right lane.
3

Continue on US 12; IL 59

0.1 mi · 7 sec · US 12; IL 59
4

Continue on US 12; IL 59

1.7 mi · 1 min · US 12; IL 59
5

Continue on US 12; IL 59

1.1 mi · 1 min · US 12; IL 59
6

Continue on US 12; IL 59

14 mi · 20 min · US 12; IL 59
Use the left lane.
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward IL 53 South Use the right lane.
8

Merge onto IL 53

4.4 mi · 5 min · IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53

7.0 mi · 9 min · IL 53
Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 290

6.6 mi · 8 min · I 290
Toward I 290 East: Chicago Use the slight right lane.
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec
Exit 12 Toward York Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Turn left onto North York Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · North York Street
Use the straight lane.
13

Turn right onto West 2nd Street

335 ft · 9 sec · West 2nd Street
Use the right lane.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto West 2nd Street

127 ft · 8 sec · West 2nd Street
15

At end of road, turn left onto North Addison Avenue

0.2 mi · 28 sec · North Addison Avenue
16

Turn right onto Cottage Hill Avenue

230 ft · 13 sec · Cottage Hill Avenue
17

Turn left onto West Park Avenue

0.1 mi · 26 sec · West Park Avenue
18

Turn sharp left

65 ft · 4 sec
19

Arrive at destination

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 19.4 mi from Lakemoor, IL · 27m into the drive

village in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Palatine, IL

19 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Lombard, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Palatine, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 19.4 miles from Lakemoor, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Elmhurst, IL

Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Elmhurst, IL if you are unfamiliar with the area.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$6.08 one way

$12.16 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 14 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $6.68 $13.35
premium $4.89 $7.49 $14.97
diesel $5.61 $8.59 $17.18

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$6

Estimated CO2 emission: 13.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 11.7 0 $4.08 $1.87
Efficient EV 9.7 0 $3.40 $1.56
EV Truck/SUV 15.6 0 $5.45 $2.49

Gas CO2

14 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (64% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Lakemoor, IL

Evening in Lakemoor on Thursday

Local time

7:57 PM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Elmhurst, IL

Evening in Elmhurst on Thursday

Local time

7:57 PM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

1 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

55m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Lakemoor, IL to Elmhurst, IL covers 38.9 miles and takes about 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 12, IL 53, I 290. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19.4 miles from Lakemoor, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.08 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a short but busy drive. With 14 decision points packed into just 38.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 55m.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles (US 12; IL 59): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 23.8 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Lakemoor, IL to Elmhurst, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Lakemoor, IL or browse trips ending in Elmhurst, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Explore maps for Lakemoor, IL or Elmhurst, IL on MapSof.net.