Origin
South Elgin, IL
Afternoon in South Elgin on Tuesday
Local time
4:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from South Elgin, IL to Palatine, IL
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
33m
Distance
20.7 mi
33 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 31m
★
6 AM
0h 33m
8 AM
0h 39m
10 AM
0h 35m
12 PM
0h 35m
3 PM
0h 36m
5 PM
0h 39m
8 PM
0h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Elgin, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Palatine, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from South Elgin, IL to Palatine, IL covers 20.7 miles and takes about 33m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, Bartlett Road, South Sutton Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 5.2 miles on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $3.24 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
10.4 miles from South Elgin, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 17m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 33m drive with frequent turns across 20.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 5.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East State Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 20.7 miles you will encounter 10 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: near the start (East State Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (South Gilbert Street): Navigation decision point; at 9.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East State Street
Turn right onto East State Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Gilbert Street
Turn right onto South Gilbert Street
Navigation decision point
5
9.4 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the ramp toward I 90 Toll East: Chicago
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 90 Toll East: Chicago
5
9.8 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge onto I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
15 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward Roselle Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 65
Toward Roselle Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Jane Addams Memorial Tollway | 5.2 mi | 5m |
| Bartlett Road | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| South Sutton Road | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| New Sutton Road | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Euclid Avenue | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| South Plum Grove Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| East Middle Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| North Roselle Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
— 5.2 mi, about 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Elgin, IL and Palatine, IL.
1
Start on South Center Street
39 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Center Street
2
Turn right onto East State Street
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East State Street
3
Turn right onto South Gilbert Street
340 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Gilbert Street
4
Turn left onto East Middle Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Middle Street
5
Continue on CR 61
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Bartlett Road
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left onto IL 59
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
South Sutton Road
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on IL 59
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
New Sutton Road
Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 90 Toll East: Chicago
Use the right lane.
9
Merge onto I 90
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 65
Toward Roselle Road
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn left onto North Roselle Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Roselle Road
12
Continue on CR V60
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
South Roselle Road
13
Turn right onto Euclid Avenue
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Euclid Avenue
14
Turn left onto South Plum Grove Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South Plum Grove Road
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto East Palatine Road
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
East Palatine Road
16
Arrive at destination
East Palatine Road
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 10.4 miles from South Elgin, IL, or about 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 5.2 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 20.7 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 10.4 miles or 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palatine, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving South Elgin, 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 South Elgin, IL
This is one driving day of about 20.7 miles and 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from South Elgin, 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 Jane Addams Memorial Tollway for about 5.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 10.4 mi from South Elgin, IL · 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
10 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 20.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 10.4 miles from South Elgin, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Palatine, IL
The final approach into Palatine, 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 Palatine, 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
$3.24 one way
$6.47 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $3.55 | $7.11 |
| premium | $4.89 | $3.98 | $7.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.57 | $9.14 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.37
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(5.2 mi)
$0.37
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
$3
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.2 | 0 | $2.17 | $0.99 |
| Efficient EV | 5.2 | 0 | $1.81 | $0.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.3 | 0 | $2.90 | $1.32 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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
Palatine, IL
Afternoon in Palatine on Tuesday
Local time
4:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
33m 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 South Elgin, IL to Palatine, IL covers 20.7 miles and takes about 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, Bartlett Road, South Sutton Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 10.4 miles from South Elgin, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.24 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 20.7 miles you will encounter 10 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: near the start (East State Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (South Gilbert Street): Navigation decision point; at 9.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
The route from South Elgin, IL to Palatine, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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