Trip from Mount Zion, IL to Elk 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

3h 54m

Distance

190.6 mi

307 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 41m ★

6 AM

3h 54m

8 AM

4h 20m

10 AM

4h 3m

12 PM

4h 1m

3 PM

4h 4m

5 PM

4h 19m

8 PM

3h 46m

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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Mount Zion, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Elk Grove, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 205.2-mile journey from Mount Zion, IL to Elk Grove, IL is best suited for a single day of driving, taking approximately 3 hours and 14 minutes. You'll primarily navigate local roads, including West Main Street, State Route 121, and South Mount Zion Road, with no significant highway stretches. Expect a fuel cost of around $31 for this trip. The route is characterized by frequent turns, making it a more engaging local drive rather than a high-speed transit. With just one recommended stop, you can complete this drive efficiently, offering a straightforward connection within the Midwest region.

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

95.3 miles from Mount Zion, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 51	119.5 mi	2h 13m
North Water Street	27.5 mi	36m
Kingery Highway	15.5 mi	23m
North 1450 East Road	14.7 mi	17m
US 36	4.6 mi	7m
Busse Road	3.1 mi	5m
South Mount Zion Road	2.1 mi	3m
South State Route 121	1.6 mi	2m

Longest stretch: US 51 — 119.5 mi, about 2h 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mount Zion, IL and Elk Grove, IL.

Start on North Henderson Street

64 ft · 5 sec · North Henderson Street

Turn right onto CTH 30

0.3 mi · 32 sec · West Main Street

Turn slight left onto IL 121

1.6 mi · 2 min · South State Route 121

Continue on IL 121

2.1 mi · 3 min · South Mount Zion Road

Turn left onto US 36; IL 121

4.6 mi · 7 min · US 36; IL 121

Turn right onto US 51 Business

27 mi · 36 min · North Water Street

Continue on US 51

15 mi · 17 min · North 1450 East Road

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit onto US 51

119 mi · 2 hr 13 min · US 51

Toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Exit 274 Toward IL 83: Kingery Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road North Use the right lane.

Continue on IL 83

16 mi · 23 min · Kingery Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on IL 83

3.1 mi · 5 min · Busse Road

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Touhy Avenue

0.9 mi · 2 min · Touhy Avenue

Turn right onto IL 72

0.1 mi · 16 sec · East Higgins Road

Turn right onto South Elmhurst Road

349 ft · 7 sec · South Elmhurst Road

Arrive at destination

South Elmhurst Road

Trip Plan

Given the 3 hour and 14 minute duration and 205.2-mile distance, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, perhaps utilizing the services available along State Route 121. The estimated fuel cost is $31, so ensure your tank is full before departing Mount Zion to minimize any need for unplanned refueling. Pay close attention to the frequent turns, especially as you transition between the various local roads and state routes mentioned; staying alert will be key to a smooth journey to Elk Grove.

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 95.3 miles from Mount Zion, IL, or about 1h 58m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.5 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 42 miles or 57m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 95.3 miles or 1h 58m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 6m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elk Grove, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Mount Zion, 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 Mount Zion, IL

This is one driving day of about 190.6 miles and 3h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Mount Zion, 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 US 51 for about 119.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Normal, IL

95 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

Clinton, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

El Paso, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 95.3 miles from Mount Zion, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 51 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 119.5 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

Ditka's Oakbrook

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Expensive mile 190.6

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16305722200

Visit website

Rosemary Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Joliet, Illinois

1.7 mi

J. Alexander's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Oak Brook, Illinois

1.9 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Critical Grind Board Game Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Shorewood, Illinois

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 161.2

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+18156304235

Visit website

Kafe De Kasa

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Shorewood, Illinois

1.5 mi

Kafé De Kasa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crest Hill, Illinois

3 mi

Ditka's Oakbrook

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Expensive mile 190.6

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16305722200

Visit website

Rosemary Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 161.2

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18157824094

Visit website

J. Alexander's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Expensive mile 190.6

Oak Brook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+16305738180

Visit website

Sushi Ya

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 161.2

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+18157303838

Visit website

Happy Place Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 161.2

Shorewood, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18156661447

Visit website

Mai Thai Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour Inexpensiv mile 190.6

Westmont, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+16304554298

Visit website

Simon's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 190.6

Villa Park, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+16305300200

Visit website

LongHorn Steakhouse

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately mile 175.9

Bolingbrook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16307830684

Visit website

Critical Grind Board Game Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 161.2

Shorewood, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+18156304235

Visit website

Kafe De Kasa

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 161.2

Shorewood, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17792421902

Visit website

Kafé De Kasa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 161.2

Crest Hill, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18156303694

Visit website

Bonny's Bistro

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 161.2

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+18476271095

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 58.6

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 14.7

Forsyth, Illinois

+18668167584

Visit website

FLO Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 29.3

Clinton, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 58.6

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 58.6

2 mi from route

The Wine Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 146.6

Wilmington, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+18154769009

Visit website

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 190.6

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 170.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | CTH 30 / West Main Street

Turn right onto CTH 30 / West Main Street

Navigation decision point

50.7 mi into trip | ~1h 8m in | US 51

Take the exit onto US 51 toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford

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. Toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford

170.2 mi into trip | ~3h 21m in

Take the exit toward IL 83: Kingery Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 274 Toward IL 83: Kingery Road

170.4 mi into trip | ~3h 21m in

Keep slight left at fork toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road

170.6 mi into trip | ~3h 22m in

Keep slight right at fork toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road North

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.80 one way

$59.60 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 67 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$32.72	$65.43
premium	$4.89	$36.68	$73.36
diesel	$5.61	$42.08	$84.16

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 66.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	57.2	$20.01	$9.15
Efficient EV	47.7	$16.68	$7.62
EV Truck/SUV	76.2	$26.68	$12.20

Gas CO2

67 kg

EV CO2

22 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Mount Zion, IL

Late night in Mount Zion on Sunday

Local time

5:02 AM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Elk Grove, IL

Late night in Elk Grove on Sunday

Local time

5:02 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°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

17 degrees cooler at arrival

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

Road read

3h 54m 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.

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...

18 mi from route ~44 min detour Free near mile 170.9

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?

Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive on this route, as indicated by its 0% highway share. The driving experience involves navigating numerous turns and transitions between local streets and state routes, including West Main Street, State Route 121, and South Mount Zion Road. While there isn't a longest uninterrupted stretch noted, the constant changes in direction will keep you engaged behind the wheel. This profile suggests a driving experience focused on local roads, offering a different feel than a typical interstate commute.

66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

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

Longest single stretch: 119.5 mi on US 51.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 51 and North Water Street. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CTH 30 / West Main Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 190.6 miles you will encounter 9 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 (CTH 30 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 50.7 miles (US 51): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Mount Zion, IL to Elk Grove, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Rockford along the way.

Rockford

50.7 mi in | ~1h 8m | via US 51

About the Cities

Starting in Mount Zion, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1881

Jerusalem (Hebrew: ירושלים Yerushalayim, Arabic: القدس al-Quds) is the largest city of Israel. Israel claims it as its capital and a few countries including the United States recognize that claim, but most other countries and the United Nations do not. The ancient city in the Judean Hills has a fascinating history spanning thousands of years. The city is holy to the three monotheistic religions — Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and serves as a spiritual, religious, and cultural center. Due to the religious significance of the city, and in particular the many sites of the Old City area, Jerusalem is one of the main tourist destinations in Israel. Jerusalem has many historic, archeological and cultural sites, along with vibrant and crowded shopping centers, cafes, and restaurants.

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 54m. Total distance: 190.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 119.5 miles on US 51. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 17 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 Elk 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Elk Grove, 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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Elk Grove, IL to Mount Zion, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

189.9 mi 3h 53m

Explore more options from Mount Zion, IL or browse trips ending in Elk Grove, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Trip from Mount Zion, IL to Elk Grove, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Ditka's Oakbrook

Critical Grind Board Game Cafe

Ditka's Oakbrook

Rosemary Cafe

J. Alexander's Restaurant

Sushi Ya

Happy Place Cafe

Mai Thai Restaurant

Simon's Restaurant

LongHorn Steakhouse

Critical Grind Board Game Cafe

Kafe De Kasa

Kafé De Kasa

Bonny's Bistro

Electrify America Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

FLO Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Universal Charging Station

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

TA

Limestone Rest Area (Southbound)

Limestone Rest Area (Northbound)

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Greater Chicago Truck Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Petro Stopping Centers

Service Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Service Plaza

Hinsdale Oasis

The Wine Cafe

Prairie Trail Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Mount Zion, IL

Elk Grove, IL

Same local time

17 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 54m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Pullman National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Mount Zion, IL

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Elk Grove, IL

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