Trip from Elgin, IL to Pleasant Grove, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 2m

Distance

367.4 mi

591 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$57

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

25 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min

4 AM

6h 51m ★

6 AM

7h 2m

8 AM

7h 25m

10 AM

7h 10m

12 PM

7h 8m

3 PM

7h 11m

5 PM

7h 24m

8 PM

6h 56m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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

Elgin, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Pleasant Grove, IL

Ali Soheil

Trip Overview

The drive from Elgin, IL to Pleasant Grove, IL covers 367.4 miles and takes about 7h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 57, Ken Gray Expressway, Tri-State Tollway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 254.2 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $57.44 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

183.7 miles from Elgin, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 37m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 57	254.2 mi	4h 34m
Ken Gray Expressway	46.8 mi	50m
Tri-State Tollway	18.2 mi	23m
IL 37	13.5 mi	19m
West Lake Street	10.3 mi	15m
Lake Street	6.7 mi	10m
Cicero Avenue	4.9 mi	7m
West Vine Street	3.3 mi	4m

Longest stretch: I 57 — 254.2 mi, about 4h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Elgin, IL and Pleasant Grove, IL.

Start on East Chicago Street

34 ft · 5 sec · East Chicago Street

Turn right onto Villa Street

2.4 mi · 3 min · Villa Street

Merge onto US 20

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway

Continue on US 20

5.2 mi · 6 min · West Lake Street

Continue on US 20

6.7 mi · 10 min · Lake Street

Continue on US 20

5.1 mi · 8 min · West Lake Street

Use the left / uturn lanes.

Take the ramp onto US 20

3.1 mi · 4 min · US 20

Toward I 290 East, US 20 East: Chicago Use the left lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Exit 15A Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 294

0.4 mi · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway

Exit 15A Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

1.0 mi · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway

Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

Merge onto I 294

137 ft · 1 sec · Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 294

0.9 mi · 1 min · Mile-Long Bridge

Continue on I 294

8.5 mi · 10 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Exit 12 B-A Toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 12A Toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue Use the straight lane.

Turn straight onto IL 50; IL 83

4.9 mi · 7 min · Cicero Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto 167th Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · 167th Street

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 57 South: Kankakee, I-80

Merge onto I 57

188 mi · 3 hr 23 min · I 57

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57

66 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 57

Toward I 57 South: Memphis

Keep slight right at fork onto I 57

47 mi · 50 min · Ken Gray Expressway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 50 sec

Exit 45 Toward IL 148

Turn right onto IL 148

0.7 mi · 59 sec · IL 148

Continue on IL 37

14 mi · 19 min · IL 37

Turn slight right

117 ft · 4 sec

Turn straight onto IL 146

3.3 mi · 4 min · West Vine Street

Turn right onto Pleasant Grove Road

383 ft · 16 sec · Pleasant Grove Road

Arrive at destination

Pleasant Grove Road

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 183.7 miles from Elgin, IL, or about 3h 37m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 254.2 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 81 miles or 1h 46m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 183.7 miles or 3h 37m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 51m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pleasant Grove, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Elgin, IL

This is one driving day of about 367.4 miles and 7h 2m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Elgin, IL.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 254.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Champaign, IL

184 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

Joliet, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sidney, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 183.7 miles from Elgin, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 254.2 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Culver’s

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Effingham, Illinois

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 236.2

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+12173474986

Visit website

Yolks & Berries

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bradley, Illinois

1.4 mi

Taj Indian Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bradley, Illinois

0.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Bonny's Bistro

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Matteson, Illinois

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 52.5

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+17738964817

Visit website

Culver’s

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 236.2

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+12173474986

Visit website

Yolks & Berries

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 78.7

Bradley, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18159351501

Visit website

Taj Indian Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 78.7

Bradley, Illinois

Hours: 10:30 am–11 pm

+17797015344

The Turn Restaurant & Lounge

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 341.2

Marion, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+16189975656

Visit website

Hardee's

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour Inexpensiv mile 236.2

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+12173473455

Visit website

La Terraza Express Taqueria

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 236.2

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12173422649

Visit website

Jersey Mike's Subs

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 236.2

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+12177904116

Visit website

PUERTO VALLARTA

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 236.2

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12173423177

Visit website

Bonny's Bistro

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 52.5

Matteson, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+17738964817

Visit website

Solyne Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 52.5

Frankfort, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+18477444958

Visit website

Original Mocha Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 52.5

Tinley Park, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+17089044960

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 157.5

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 236.2

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 157.5

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 157.5

Champaign, Illinois

+18668167584

Electrify America Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 236.2

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 236.2

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Circle K | Electric Vehicle Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 157.5

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18335052291

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 236.2

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+12172407175

Visit website

Tk Grille

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 236.2

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 6–10 am

+12175407716

Caffe Milan

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 52.5

Frankfort, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm

+18154697124

Visit website

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 26.2

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

MY Garage Museum & Retail Store

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 236.2

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12175404277

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 19.7 and 42.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

19.7 mi into trip | ~30m in | US 20

Take the ramp onto US 20 toward I 290 East, US 20 East: Chicago

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward I 290 East, US 20 East: Chicago

22.8 mi into trip | ~34m in

Take the exit toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

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 15A Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

23.5 mi into trip | ~36m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

42.2 mi into trip | ~1h in

Take the exit toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street

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 12 B-A Toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th...

42.5 mi into trip | ~1h in

Keep slight left at fork toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Exit 12A Toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$57.44 one way

$114.88 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 129 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$63.07	$126.13
premium	$4.89	$70.70	$141.41
diesel	$5.61	$81.12	$162.23

Estimated Tolls: $1.09

Tri-state Tollway (18.2 mi) $1.09

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

$57

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$84–$109

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 128.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

25 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Meijer - Tesla Supercharger

Elgin, IL

Tesla

12 DCFC

The Arboretum of South Barrington - Tesla Supercharger

South Barrington, IL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Woodman's Food Market - Tesla Supercharger

Bloomingdale, IL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Cross Creek Commons

Roselle, IL

NAYAX_ENERGY

12 DCFC

Clarke - Roselle - DCFC

Roselle, IL

Blink Network

8 DCFC

Randall Point

Elgin, IL

NAYAX_ENERGY

6 DCFC

Thorntons, Dundee Ave, E Dundee, IL

East Dundee, IL

BP_PULSE

6 DCFC

Hanover Park, IL Rechargery Relay - Barrington Rd

Hanover Park, IL

IONNA

6 DCFC

NAYAX_ENERGY: 3 Tesla: 3 BP_PULSE: 3 UNIVERSAL: 2 Non-Networked: 2 Blink Network: 2 eVgo Network: 2 ChargePoint Network: 2 NOODOE: 1 IN_CHARGE: 1 IONNA: 1 Electrify America: 1 FORD_CHARGE: 1 SHELL_RECHARGE: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	110.2	1	$38.58	$17.64
Efficient EV	91.9	1	$32.15	$14.70
EV Truck/SUV	147	1	$51.44	$23.51

Gas CO2

129 kg

EV CO2

43 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Elgin, IL

Morning in Elgin on Sunday

Local time

9:17 AM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Pleasant Grove, IL

Morning in Pleasant Grove on Sunday

Local time

9:17 AM

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

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

7h 2m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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...

10 mi from route ~24 min detour Free near mile 38

Caution: Road Construction Near the Park

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

367.4 mi in 7h 2m, mostly highway — 254.2 mi of that is on I 57.

87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 254.2 mi on I 57.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.7 miles in near US 20.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 20 significant decision points across 367.4 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 19.7 miles (US 20): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.5 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Elgin, IL to Pleasant Grove, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Indiana along the way.

Indiana

22.8 mi in | ~34m

About the Cities

Starting in Elgin, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1854

Elgin is a city in Chicagoland known for its Victorian architecture and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra.

Top landmarks

• Elgin Tower Building — building in Illinois, United States
• Elgin Downtown Commercial District

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 2m. Total distance: 367.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 254.2 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.09 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Pleasant Grove, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Pleasant Grove, IL before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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