Trip from Elgin, IL to Rosewood Heights, IL

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

Drive Time

5h 31m

Distance

287.4 mi

463 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 18m ★

6 AM

5h 31m

8 AM

5h 58m

10 AM

5h 41m

12 PM

5h 38m

3 PM

5h 42m

5 PM

5h 57m

8 PM

5h 23m

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

Rosewood Heights, IL

NIKOLAI FOMIN

Trip Overview

Elgin, IL to Rosewood Heights, IL is 287.4 miles and takes about 5h 31m via I 55 and I 355, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. It's a mostly highway drive that should be straightforward for most drivers. With only one recommended stop and a clear route, it's a good option for a single-day excursion.

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

1 planned break

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

Midpoint

143.7 miles from Elgin, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 47m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 55	127.4 mi	2h 17m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway	111.5 mi	2h 2m
I 355	18.2 mi	22m
State Route 140	9.6 mi	13m
Lake Street	6.5 mi	10m
West Lake Street	5.2 mi	6m
Villa Street	2.4 mi	3m
East Bethalto Drive	1.8 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 55 — 127.4 mi, about 2h 17m

Traffic on I-55

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~1,689 veh/hr typical · worst 2,115

Quietest

2 AM

~152 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

11.1×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 52 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 Rosewood Heights, 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

6.5 mi · 10 min · Lake Street

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 355

18 mi · 22 min · I 355

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Exit 12A Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec

Toward Joliet Road South Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 17 sec

Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 55

112 mi · 2 hr 2 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

65 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 55

Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

63 mi · 1 hr 7 min · I 55

Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Toward IL 140: Alton, Greenville

Turn right onto IL 140

0.7 mi · 1 min · East State Street

Continue on IL 140

9.6 mi · 13 min · State Route 140

Continue on IL 140

1.8 mi · 3 min · East Bethalto Drive

Turn left onto IL 111

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Bellwood Drive

Turn right onto East Airline Drive

1.3 mi · 3 min · East Airline Drive

Continue on West Airline Court

0.1 mi · 20 sec · West Airline Court

Turn right onto Northmoor Place

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Northmoor Place

Arrive at destination

Northmoor Place

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 5.5-hour drive, consider leaving Elgin, IL early in the morning to avoid potential midday traffic, especially around the Chicago metropolitan area. Plan for just one stop, perhaps around the halfway point to break up the 127.4-mile stretch on I 55. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as highway driving can consume fuel quickly; your estimated cost is $45. Because this is a single-day route, you have the flexibility to depart when it's most convenient for you.

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 143.7 miles from Elgin, IL, or about 2h 47m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 127.4 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 63 miles or 1h 18m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 143.7 miles or 2h 47m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 26m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rosewood Heights, 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 287.4 miles and 5h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 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 I 55 for about 127.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

North Pekin, IL

144 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

Naperville, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Atwood, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 143.7 miles from Elgin, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

1.2 mi from route

Homestead Rest Area - Northbound

1.7 mi from route

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 14.4 and 145.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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

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

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

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

145.2 mi into trip | ~2h 49m in | I 55

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$42.44 one way

$84.88 round trip

$3.75/gal 25.4 MPG avg 101 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.14	$46.86	$93.71
premium	$4.72	$53.36	$106.72
diesel	$4.80	$54.27	$108.53

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$42

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 100.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	86.2	1	$30.18	$13.80
Efficient EV	71.9	0	$25.15	$11.50
EV Truck/SUV	115	1	$40.24	$18.39

Gas CO2

101 kg

EV CO2

34 kg (66% 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 Jul 18, 2026

Origin

Elgin, IL

Afternoon in Elgin on Sunday

Local time

12:41 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy

WSW 5 to 10 mph 42% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Destination

Rosewood Heights, IL

Afternoon in Rosewood Heights on Sunday

Local time

12:41 PM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Mostly Clear

SW 6 mph 11% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 31m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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.

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

National Monument

In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 208.2

View on nps.gov

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 ~56 min detour Free near mile 29.7

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is 93% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 127.4 miles on I 55. You'll notice a high density of exits and merging traffic as you navigate between expressways and interstates. Expect to transition to surface roads for the final portion of the trip.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

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

Longest single stretch: 127.4 mi on I 55.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Adlai Stevenson Expressway. 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 Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 287.4 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

763 ft 509 ft

Total Climb

347 ft

Total Descent

537 ft

Highest Point

763 ft

~143.7 mi in

Elevation Range

254 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 Rosewood Heights, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis, Joliet Road South, Springfield and Greenville.

Saint Louis

32.9 mi in | ~44m

Joliet Road South

33.2 mi in | ~45m

Springfield

145.2 mi in | ~2h 49m | via I 55

Greenville

272.7 mi in | ~5h 6m

Detours Along the Way

Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.

Lucy's Place

Cafe

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Wood River, IL

Restaurant

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Wood River, IL

Cuisine: pizza

Visit website

Subway

Fast_food

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Elgin, IL

Cuisine: sandwich

Hours: 09:00-22:00

Visit website

Kutter Park

Park

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Cottage Hills, IL

Emerick Sports Complex

Park

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Van Preter Park

Park

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Shell Gas Station

Attraction

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Cast Auto Sales

Attraction

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Klopmieire Park

Park

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Veterans Memorial Park

Memorial

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Boxcar Museum

Museum

Later in the drive, short detour

Camp_site

Near the start, short detour

First break 3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.

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

Arriving in Rosewood Heights, IL

Full guide →

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 5h 31m. Total distance: 287.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 127.4 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 29 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 Rosewood Heights, 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 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Rosewood Heights, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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