Planning a trip from Elgin, Illinois, to Empire, Illinois? This 156.4-mile drive will take you approximately 3 hours and 13 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. The route primarily utilizes major expressways, with an estimated fuel cost of $24. You'll be spending most of your time on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I-355 before transitioning to I-74. Given its highway-focused nature and manageable duration, this is a straightforward journey through the Midwest.
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
78.2 miles from Elgin, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 35m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,093 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,450
Quietest
2 AM
~146 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 43 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elgin, IL and Empire, IL.
1
Start on East Chicago Street
34 ft·5 sec·East Chicago Street
2
Turn right onto Villa Street
2.4 mi·3 min·Villa Street
3
Merge onto US 20
0.3 mi·29 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
4
Continue on US 20
5.2 mi·6 min·West Lake Street
5
Continue on US 20
6.5 mi·10 min·Lake Street
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 355 Toll South: JolietUse the right lane.
7
Merge onto I 355
18 mi·22 min·I 355
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 12AToward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Joliet Road SouthUse the slight left lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 55
98 mi·1 hr 47 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·26 sec
Toward Towanda
13
Turn straight onto CR 29
0.4 mi·44 sec·North 1900 East Road
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on CR 29
0.5 mi·1 min·North Jefferson Street
15
At end of road, turn right onto CR 29
0.2 mi·34 sec·West Hely Street
16
Continue on CR 29
3.0 mi·4 min·Towanda-Barnes Road
17
Continue on CR 29
6.8 mi·10 min·North Towanda Barnes Road
18
Turn left onto US 150
2.0 mi·2 min·US 150
19
Turn right onto CR 27
0.6 mi·1 min·North Seminary Street
20
Continue on CR 27; CR 36
0.4 mi·43 sec·East 700 North Road
21
Turn left
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 74 East: Champaign
22
Merge onto I 74
9.0 mi·9 min·I 74
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 152Toward US 136: Rantoul, Heyworth
24
Turn left onto US 136
0.4 mi·37 sec·East 200 North Road
25
Turn right onto East 150 North Road
1.1 mi·4 min·East 150 North Road
26
Arrive at destination
East 150 North Road
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour, 13-minute journey, leaving early can help you avoid potential traffic, especially on the initial expressway segments. With only one stop recommended, you have plenty of flexibility to pace yourself. The longest stretch without a break is nearly 100 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $24 estimated cost suggests consistent consumption on the expressways. Consider a brief pause around the halfway point to stretch your legs before the final push.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 78.2 miles from Elgin, IL, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.5 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 34 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.2 miles or 1h 35m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Empire, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving 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 Elgin, IL
This is one driving day of about 156.4 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Elgin, 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.
The longest stretch is on Adlai Stevenson Expressway for about 97.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.4 and 154.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
14.4 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the ramp toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet
8
32.9 mi into trip|~44m in
Take the exit toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
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 12A
Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
7
33.2 mi into trip|~45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Joliet Road South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Joliet Road South
7
33.5 mi into trip|~46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
6
154.6 mi into trip|~3h 7m in
Take the exit toward US 136: Rantoul, Heyworth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 152
Toward US 136: Rantoul, Heyworth
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.00 one way
$52.01 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$28.32
$56.65
premium
$5.18
$31.91
$63.83
diesel
$5.35
$32.94
$65.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.9
0
$16.42
$7.51
Efficient EV
39.1
0
$13.69
$6.26
EV Truck/SUV
62.6
0
$21.90
$10.01
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Forecast as of Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Elgin, IL
Afternoon
in Elgin on Wednesday
Local time
3:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Isolated Rain Showers
NE 5 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 10:38AM CDT until June 3 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Empire, IL
Afternoon
in Empire on Wednesday
Local time
3:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 3 to 7 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 10:38AM CDT until June 3 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
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
4 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
3h 13m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 32.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 81% of the route consisting of interstate travel. You'll experience long, uninterrupted stretches, including a significant 97.5-mile segment on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway. Expect a consistent pace as you navigate these main roads. The character of the drive remains largely consistent, prioritizing efficient travel over varied scenery. It's a route built for covering ground.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.5 mi on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 355. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 156.4 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 14.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 32.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
802 ft555 ft
Total Climb
334 ft
Total Descent
318 ft
Highest Point
802 ft
~134.1 mi in
Elevation Range
247 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Elgin, IL and Empire, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis, Joliet Road South and Towanda.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 13m. Total distance: 156.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.5 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Empire, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 32.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Empire, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
