Origin
Monticello, IL
Late night in Monticello on Friday
Local time
2:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Monticello, IL to Elk Grove, IL
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
2h 38m
Distance
171.4 mi
276 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 28m
★
6 AM
2h 39m
8 AM
3h 0m
10 AM
2h 46m
12 PM
2h 44m
3 PM
2h 47m
5 PM
2h 59m
8 PM
2h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monticello, IL
Stéphane Tendon
Elk Grove, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Monticello, IL to Elk Grove, IL covers 171.4 miles and takes about 2h 38m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North Market Street, I-72 East, I 57 North for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.80 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
85.7 miles from Monticello, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 38m. Total distance: 171.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 38m drive with frequent turns across 171.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Market Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Monticello, IL to Elk Grove, IL is easy. At 2h 38m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Monticello, IL to Elk Grove, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Market Street | — | — |
| I-72 East | — | — |
| I 57 North | — | — |
| I 294 | — | — |
| Tri-State Tollway | — | — |
| I 290 West | — | — |
| Saint Charles Road West | — | — |
| US 20 West | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
North Market Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monticello, IL and Elk Grove, IL.
1
Start on West Center Street
20 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Center Street
2
Turn left onto North Market Street
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Market Street
3
Take the ramp straight toward I-72 East: Champaign
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
I-72 East: Champaign
4
Merge slight left
15 mi
·
16 min
5
Take the exit slight right toward I 57 North: Chicago
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
I 57 North: Chicago
6
Merge slight left
114 mi
·
2 hr 4 min
7
Take the exit slight right toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin
8
Keep slight right to continue on I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
9
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
21 mi
·
25 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
10
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago
322 ft
·
8 sec
·
I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago
12
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
13
Keep slight left to continue on I 290 West: Rockford
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 290 West: Rockford
14
Keep slight left to continue on Saint Charles Road West
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Saint Charles Road West
15
Merge slight left
1.9 mi
·
2 min
16
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 West, IL 64 West: Lake Street, York Road
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
US 20 West, IL 64 West: Lake Street, York Road
17
Keep slight right to continue on York Road
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
York Road
18
Turn left onto North York Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North York Street
19
Continue on South York Road
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
South York Road
20
Continue on South Elmhurst Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Elmhurst Road
21
Continue on South Elmhurst Road
522 ft
·
27 sec
·
South Elmhurst Road
22
Arrive at your 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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 85.7 miles from Monticello, IL, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
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 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.7 miles or 1h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elk Grove, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Monticello, 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 Monticello, IL
This is one driving day of about 171.4 miles and 2h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Monticello, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 85.7 mi from Monticello, IL · 1h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 85.7 miles from Monticello, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Elk Grove, IL
The final approach into Elk Grove, 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 Elk Grove, 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
$26.80 one way
$53.59 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.42 | $58.84 |
| premium | $4.89 | $32.98 | $65.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.84 | $75.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.4 | 0 | $18.00 | $8.23 |
| Efficient EV | 42.9 | 0 | $15.00 | $6.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.6 | 0 | $24.00 | $10.97 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Elk Grove, IL
Late night in Elk Grove on Friday
Local time
2:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°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
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
2h 38m 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 Monticello, IL to Elk Grove, IL covers 171.4 miles and takes about 2h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Market Street, I-72 East, I 57 North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 85.7 miles from Monticello, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.80 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Monticello, IL to Elk Grove, IL is easy. At 2h 38m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Monticello, IL to Elk Grove, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Monticello, IL to Elk Grove, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the methodology page.
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