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Trip from Lakewood, IL to Elmhurst, IL

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

1h 1m

Distance

38.3 mi

62 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$6

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 14 min
4 AM
0h 57m ★
6 AM
1h 2m
8 AM
1h 11m
10 AM
1h 5m
12 PM
1h 4m
3 PM
1h 6m
5 PM
1h 11m
8 PM
0h 59m

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

Downtown Lakewood, IL, IL

Lakewood, IL

Mike Tyurin

city in Illinois, United States

Elmhurst, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Lakewood, IL to Elmhurst, IL covers 38.3 miles and takes about 1h 1m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 290, West Algonquin Road, Jane Addams Memorial Tollway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 12.3 miles on I 290. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.99 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

19.1 miles from Lakewood, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 34m into the drive .

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Drive Character

The drive from Lakewood, IL to Elmhurst, IL covers 38.3 miles and takes about 1h 1m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 290 is the longest continuous segment at about 12.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.5 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 38.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 23.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.2 miles (I 290): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

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

8
23.5 mi into trip | ~39m in

Take the exit toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 68A-B Toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs
9
24 mi into trip | ~40m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 68A Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West S...
7
30.2 mi into trip | ~49m 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
36.8 mi into trip | ~57m 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
6
37.1 mi into trip | ~58m in | North York Street

Turn left onto North York Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Lakewood, IL to Elmhurst, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Suburbs along the way.

Suburbs

23.5 mi in | ~39m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 290 12.3 mi 15m
West Algonquin Road 7.8 mi 12m
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway 4.5 mi 4m
Pyott Road 3 mi 5m
Algonquin Road 2.2 mi 3m
North Barrington Road 2.1 mi 4m
Virginia Road 0.9 mi 1m
North York Street 0.7 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 290 — 12.3 mi, about 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Broadway Avenue

341 ft · 20 sec · Broadway Avenue
2

Continue on Broadway Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Broadway Avenue
3

Turn left onto Riverside Drive

305 ft · 13 sec · Riverside Drive
4

Turn right onto Lake Avenue

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Lake Avenue
5

Continue on Lake Shore Drive

509 ft · 22 sec · Lake Shore Drive
6

Continue on South Dole Avenue

0.3 mi · 52 sec · South Dole Avenue
7

Turn right onto US 14

0.4 mi · 35 sec · West Virginia Street
8

Continue on US 14

0.5 mi · 53 sec · Northwest Highway
9

Turn right onto V33

0.9 mi · 1 min · Virginia Road
Use the right lane.
10

Turn right onto V32

3.0 mi · 5 min · Pyott Road
Use the left lane.
11

Turn left onto A48

7.8 mi · 12 min · West Algonquin Road
12

Turn straight onto IL 62; IL 68

0.3 mi · 30 sec · Dundee Road
13

Continue on IL 62

2.2 mi · 3 min · Algonquin Road
Use the left lane.
14

Turn right onto North Barrington Road

2.1 mi · 4 min · North Barrington Road
15

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 37 sec
16

Merge onto I 90

4.5 mi · 4 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
17

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 68A-B Toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs Use the slight right lane.
18

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 68A Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs Use the slight right lane.
19

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 33 sec · this road
Exit 68A Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
20

Merge onto I 290; IL 53

5.7 mi · 7 min · I 290; IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

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.
22

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec
Exit 12 Toward York Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Turn left onto North York Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · North York Street
Use the straight lane.
24

Turn right onto West 2nd Street

335 ft · 9 sec · West 2nd Street
Use the right lane.
25

Keep slight left at fork onto West 2nd Street

127 ft · 8 sec · West 2nd Street
26

At end of road, turn left onto North Addison Avenue

0.2 mi · 28 sec · North Addison Avenue
27

Turn right onto Cottage Hill Avenue

230 ft · 13 sec · Cottage Hill Avenue
28

Turn left onto West Park Avenue

0.1 mi · 26 sec · West Park Avenue
29

Turn sharp left

65 ft · 4 sec
30

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 19.1 miles from Lakewood, IL, or about 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 12.3 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 38.3 miles or 1h 1m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 19.1 miles or 34m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 52m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elmhurst, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lakewood, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Lakewood, IL

This is one driving day of about 38.3 miles and 1h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lakewood, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 290 for about 12.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 19.1 mi from Lakewood, IL · 34m into the drive

city in Cook and Kane counties in the northern part of the U.S. state of Illinois

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Elgin, 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

Des Plaines, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Schaumburg, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 19.1 miles from Lakewood, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Elmhurst, IL

The final approach into Elmhurst, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Elmhurst, IL.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$5.99 one way

$11.98 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 13 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $6.57 $13.15
premium $4.89 $7.37 $14.74
diesel $5.61 $8.46 $16.91

Estimated Tolls: $0.32

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (4.5 mi) $0.32

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$6

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$31–$56

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 13.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 11.5 0 $4.02 $1.84
Efficient EV 9.6 0 $3.35 $1.53
EV Truck/SUV 15.3 0 $5.36 $2.45

Gas CO2

13 kg

EV CO2

4 kg (69% 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 data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

Lakewood, IL

Evening in Lakewood on Tuesday

Local time

5:40 PM

CDT

Current temp

37°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Elmhurst, IL

Evening in Elmhurst on Tuesday

Local time

5:40 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

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

17 degrees warmer at arrival

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

Road read

1h 1m 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 Lakewood, IL to Elmhurst, IL covers 38.3 miles and takes about 1h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 290, West Algonquin Road, Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19.1 miles from Lakewood, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.99 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 demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 38.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 23.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.2 miles (I 290): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Lakewood, IL to Elmhurst, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Suburbs along the way.

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