Origin
Lynwood, IL
Late night in Lynwood on Friday
Local time
5:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lynwood, IL to Elgin, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 28m
Distance
60.8 mi
98 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 21m
★
6 AM
1h 28m
8 AM
1h 42m
10 AM
1h 33m
12 PM
1h 31m
3 PM
1h 33m
5 PM
1h 41m
8 PM
1h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lynwood, IL
Mike Tyurin
Elgin, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Planning a trip from Lynwood, IL, to Elgin, IL? This 60.8-mile drive typically takes about 1 hour and 28 minutes, making it a manageable day trip. You'll primarily navigate via the Tri-State Tollway and US 20, with a portion on Lake Street. With an estimated fuel cost of around $10, this route is budget-friendly. Both your origin and destination are within the Midwest region, so expect a familiar driving landscape. This straightforward journey is well-suited for a single day of travel.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 28m. Total distance: 60.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route presents a "turn-heavy local drive" character, with only about 12% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a mix of road types, transitioning from tollway to local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 32.1 miles on the Tri-State Tollway. Be prepared for frequent turns and changes in speed as you move through various local areas. The drive's personality shifts as you leave the tollway and enter more urban and suburban settings.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Tri-State Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 32.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 60.8 miles you will encounter 19 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.7 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.7 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
5.2 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 West, I 294 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 80 West, I 294 North
8
36.7 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Take the exit onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 31
Toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Roc...
7
36.7 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 290 West, I 294 North: Rockford, Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 31
Toward I 290 West, I 294 North: Rockford, Milwa...
8
40.6 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
US 20
Take the exit onto US 20 toward US 20 West, IL 64 West: Lake Street, York Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 12
Toward US 20 West, IL 64 West: Lake Street, Yor...
7
40.7 mi into trip
|
~56m in
|
US 20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20 toward US 20 West: Lake Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 20 West: Lake Street
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lynwood, IL and Elgin, IL, road signs point toward Milwaukee, Chicago and Saint Charles Road West.
Milwaukee
36.7 mi in
|
~48m
|
via I 294
Chicago
36.7 mi in
|
~48m
|
via I 294
Saint Charles Road West
38.4 mi in
|
~52m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-State Tollway | 32.1 mi | 40m |
| Lake Street | 6.7 mi | 11m |
| US 20 | 5.4 mi | 8m |
| West Lake Street | 5.2 mi | 6m |
| South Burnham Avenue | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| Villa Street | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| I 290 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Ridge Road | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Tri-State Tollway
— 32.1 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lynwood, IL and Elgin, IL.
1
Start on 203rd Street
92 ft
·
6 sec
·
203rd Street
2
Turn right onto South Burnham Avenue
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
South Burnham Avenue
3
Turn left onto Ridge Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto IL 83
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Torrence Avenue
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Use the left lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 80 West, I 294 North
Use the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto I 80; I 294
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
24 mi
·
29 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto I 294
321 ft
·
7 sec
·
Tri-State Tollway
Exit 31
Toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Exit 31
Toward I 290 West, I 294 North: Rockford, Milwaukee
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 290 West: Rockford
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward Saint Charles Road West
15
Merge onto I 290
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
I 290
16
Take the exit onto US 20
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
US 20
Exit 12
Toward US 20 West, IL 64 West: Lake Street, York Road
Use the right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20
5.3 mi
·
8 min
·
US 20
Toward US 20 West: Lake Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 20
5.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Lake Street
Use the left / uturn lanes.
19
Continue on US 20
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Lake Street
20
Continue on US 20
5.2 mi
·
6 min
·
West Lake Street
21
Continue on US 20
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
22
Turn slight left onto Villa Street
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Villa Street
Toward Villa Street
Use the slight left lane.
23
Turn left
311 ft
·
28 sec
24
Turn left onto East Chicago Street
117 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Chicago Street
25
Arrive at destination
East Chicago Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 30.4 mi from Lynwood, IL · 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
30 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 30.4 miles from Lynwood, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Elgin, IL
The final approach into Elgin, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.51 one way
$19.01 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $10.44 | $20.87 |
| premium | $4.89 | $11.70 | $23.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.42 | $26.85 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.92
Tri-state Tollway
(32.1 mi)
$1.92
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Tolls
$2
Total
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.2 | 0 | $6.38 | $2.92 |
| Efficient EV | 15.2 | 0 | $5.32 | $2.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.3 | 0 | $8.51 | $3.89 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Elgin, IL
Late night in Elgin on Friday
Local time
5:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Elmhurst, IL
30 mi in
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 28m 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 Lynwood, IL to Elgin, IL covers 60.8 miles and takes about 1h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, Lake Street, US 20. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 30.4 miles from Lynwood, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.51 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 60.8 miles you will encounter 19 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.7 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.7 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Lynwood, IL and Elgin, IL, road signs point toward Milwaukee, Chicago and Saint Charles Road West.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. National park proximity is from the NPS API. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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