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Trip from Elgin, IL to Truro, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 9, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 43m

Distance

157.3 mi

253 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 31m ★
6 AM
3h 44m
8 AM
4h 9m
10 AM
3h 53m
12 PM
3h 50m
3 PM
3h 54m
5 PM
4h 8m
8 PM
3h 36m

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

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

Elgin, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Truro, IL, IL

Truro, IL

Rik Mar

Trip Overview

The drive from Elgin, IL to Truro, IL covers 157.3 miles and takes about 3h 43m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, Lincoln Highway, 900 East Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 49.7 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.39 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

78.6 miles from Elgin, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway 49.7 mi 53m
Lincoln Highway 16.6 mi 22m
900 East Street 13.6 mi 20m
IL-40 11.7 mi 17m
Tenney Street 10.6 mi 16m
Knox Highway 28 5.9 mi 14m
965 North Avenue 5.9 mi 8m
IL 180 5 mi 8m
Longest stretch: Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway — 49.7 mi, about 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on East Chicago Street

34 ft · 5 sec · East Chicago Street
2

Turn right onto Villa Street

0.6 mi · 58 sec · Villa Street
3

Turn right onto East National Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · East National Street
4

Turn left onto IL 31

1.2 mi · 3 min · South State Street
5

Continue on IL 31

4.3 mi · 6 min · North La Fox Street
6

Turn right onto CR 5

0.9 mi · 1 min · Silver Glen Road
Use the right lane.
7

Turn left onto CR 34

0.9 mi · 1 min · Randall Road
8

Turn right onto Bolcum Road

3.2 mi · 5 min · Bolcum Road
9

Enter roundabout onto CR 2

178 ft · 3 sec · Burlington Road
10

Continue on CR 2

0.3 mi · 32 sec · Burlington Road
11

Continue on CR 81

2.3 mi · 4 min · LaFox Road
12

Turn right onto IL 38

17 mi · 22 min · Lincoln Highway
13

Turn left onto Peace Road

1.4 mi · 2 min · Peace Road
14

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward I 88 West Toll: Moline Rock Island
15

Merge onto I 88; IL 110

50 mi · 53 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on I 88; IL 110

1.1 mi · 1 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
17

Continue on I 88; IL 110

1.7 mi · 1 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Exit 41
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Exit 41 Toward IL 40: Rock Falls, Sterling, Peoria
19

Turn left onto IL 40

12 mi · 17 min · IL-40
20

Continue on IL 40

14 mi · 20 min · 900 East Street
21

Continue on IL 40

1.6 mi · 2 min · IL 40
22

Turn right

123 ft · 4 sec
23

Turn right onto US 6; US 34

2.5 mi · 3 min · County Road 1500 N
24

Continue on US 6; US 34

0.3 mi · 29 sec · North Mason Street
25

Continue on US 6; US 34

1.0 mi · 1 min · East Railroad Street
26

Turn left onto US 34

1.6 mi · 2 min · 550 East Street
27

Continue on US 34

0.8 mi · 1 min · 525 East Street
28

Continue on US 34

3.7 mi · 5 min · 525 E Street
29

Continue on US 34

5.9 mi · 8 min · 965 North Avenue
30

Continue on US 34

1.3 mi · 1 min · US 34
31

Continue on US 34

216 ft · 3 sec · North East Street
32

Continue on US 34

0.5 mi · 49 sec · East 2nd Street
33

Turn left onto US 34; IL 78

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
34

Continue on US 34; IL 78

11 mi · 16 min · Tenney Street
35

Turn left onto IL 17

0.5 mi · 45 sec · South Center Avenue
36

Continue on IL 17

3.5 mi · 5 min · IL 17
37

Turn straight onto IL 180

5.0 mi · 8 min · IL 180
38

Turn right onto IL 167

1.0 mi · 1 min · IL 167
39

Turn left onto Knox Highway 28

5.9 mi · 14 min · Knox Highway 28
40

Arrive at destination

Knox Highway 28

Trip Plan

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 78.6 miles from Elgin, IL, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.7 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 35 miles or 54m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 78.6 miles or 1h 40m 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 53m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Truro, 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 157.3 miles and 3h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 49.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Walnut, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Walnut, IL

79 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

Belvidere, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Walnut, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 78.6 miles from Elgin, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

DeKalb Oasis

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Road Ranger

0.3 mi from route

Road Ranger

2.1 mi from route

Petro Stopping Centers

2.2 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

2.2 mi from 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 0 and 85.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Villa Street

Turn right onto Villa Street

Navigation decision point

6
6.7 mi into trip | ~12m in | CR 5 / Silver Glen Road

Turn right onto CR 5 / Silver Glen Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
32.3 mi into trip | ~50m in

Take the ramp toward I 88 West Toll: Moline Rock Island

Navigation decision point

Toward I 88 West Toll: Moline Rock Island
5
32.6 mi into trip | ~51m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Merge onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
85.1 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in

Take the exit toward IL 40: Rock Falls, Sterling, Peoria

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 41 Toward IL 40: Rock Falls, Sterling, Peoria

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.39 one way

$48.78 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 55 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.32 $26.74 $53.48
premium $4.93 $30.52 $61.04
diesel $5.60 $34.67 $69.35

Estimated Tolls: $2.98

Reagan Memorial Tollway (49.7 mi) $2.98

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

$24

Tolls

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 55 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 47.2 0 $16.52 $7.55
Efficient EV 39.3 0 $13.76 $6.29
EV Truck/SUV 62.9 0 $22.02 $10.07

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 Aug 29, 2026

Origin

Elgin, IL

Night in Elgin on Tuesday

Local time

10:29 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Partly Cloudy

SSW 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued August 28 at 8:55PM CDT until August 30 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued August 28 at 8:36PM CDT until August 30 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Indianapolis IN

Destination

Truro, IL

Night in Truro on Tuesday

Local time

10:29 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Partly Cloudy

SSE 2 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued August 28 at 8:55PM CDT until August 30 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued August 28 at 8:36PM CDT until August 30 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Indianapolis IN

82°F

Walnut, IL

79 mi in

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

3h 43m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

157.3 mi in 3h 43m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.

Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.7 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Villa Street.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 43m drive. You will face about 18 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Villa Street): Navigation decision point; at 6.7 miles (CR 5 / Silver Glen Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.3 miles: Navigation decision point.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

931 ft 631 ft

Total Climb

375 ft

Total Descent

432 ft

Highest Point

931 ft

~44.9 mi in

Elevation Range

300 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 Truro, IL, road signs point toward Sterling and Peoria.

Sterling

85.1 mi in | ~1h 47m

Peoria

85.1 mi in | ~1h 47m

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 Truro, 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 3h 43m. Total distance: 157.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (19%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 49.7 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $2.98 in tolls one way, starting with Reagan Memorial 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.

Yes — we found about 6 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.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Villa Street): Navigation decision point; at 6.7 miles (CR 5 / Silver Glen Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.3 miles: Navigation decision point.

Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Truro, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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