Trip from Pleasant Grove, IL to Elgin, 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 4m

Distance

369.3 mi

594 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$60

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

27 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min

4 AM

6h 53m ★

6 AM

7h 4m

8 AM

7h 27m

10 AM

7h 12m

12 PM

7h 10m

3 PM

7h 13m

5 PM

7h 25m

8 PM

6h 57m

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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Pleasant Grove, IL

Ali Soheil

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

Elgin, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Pleasant Grove, IL to Elgin, IL covers 369.3 miles and takes about 7h 4m 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 185.5 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $60.05 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

184.6 miles from Pleasant Grove, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 26m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 57	185.5 mi	3h 21m
Ken Gray Expressway	117.9 mi	2h 7m
Tri-State Tollway	22.9 mi	28m
IL 37	13.6 mi	19m
Lake Street	6.7 mi	11m
US 20	5.4 mi	8m
West Lake Street	5.2 mi	6m
West Vine Street	3.3 mi	4m

Longest stretch: I 57 — 185.5 mi, about 3h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Pleasant Grove Road

383 ft · 18 sec · Pleasant Grove Road

Turn left onto IL 146

3.3 mi · 4 min · West Vine Street

Turn left onto IL 37

14 mi · 19 min · IL 37

Turn straight onto IL 148

0.4 mi · 41 sec · IL 148

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Merge onto I 57

50 mi · 54 min · Ken Gray Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 57

67 mi · 1 hr 12 min · Ken Gray Expressway

Toward I 57 North: Chicago

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57

185 mi · 3 hr 21 min · I 57

Toward I 57 North: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Exit 349-350 Toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

1.8 mi · 3 min

Exit 349 Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto I 294

21 mi · 25 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto I 294

321 ft · 7 sec · Tri-State Tollway

Exit 31 Toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

0.8 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway

Exit 31 Toward I 290 West, I 294 North: Rockford, Milwaukee

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward I 290 West: Rockford

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Toward Saint Charles Road West

Merge onto I 290

1.9 mi · 2 min · I 290

Take the exit onto US 20

0.1 mi · 15 sec · US 20

Exit 12 Toward US 20 West, IL 64 West: Lake Street, York Road Use the right lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 20

5.3 mi · 8 min · US 20

Toward US 20 West: Lake Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 20

5.9 mi · 10 min · Lake Street

Use the left / uturn lanes.

Continue on US 20

0.8 mi · 1 min · Lake Street

Continue on US 20

5.2 mi · 6 min · West Lake Street

Continue on US 20

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway

Turn slight left onto Villa Street

2.5 mi · 4 min · Villa Street

Toward Villa Street Use the slight left lane.

Turn left

311 ft · 28 sec

Turn left onto East Chicago Street

117 ft · 3 sec · East Chicago Street

Arrive at destination

East Chicago Street

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 184.6 miles from Pleasant Grove, IL, or about 3h 26m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 185.5 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 81 miles or 1h 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 184.6 miles or 3h 26m 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 41m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Pleasant Grove, 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 Pleasant Grove, IL

This is one driving day of about 369.3 miles and 7h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Pleasant Grove, 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 185.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Champaign, IL

185 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

Odin, IL

Fuel and coffee

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

Champaign, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 184.6 miles from Pleasant Grove, 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 185.5 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

Culver’s

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Effingham, Illinois

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 131.9

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+12173474986

Visit website

The Turn Restaurant & Lounge

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Marion, Illinois

0.5 mi

Lickin' My Chicken & Pullin' My Pork BBQ

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Effingham, Illinois

1 mi

Culver’s

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 131.9

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+12173474986

Visit website

The Turn Restaurant & Lounge

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 26.4

Marion, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+16189975656

Visit website

Hardee's

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv mile 131.9

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+12173473455

Visit website

Lickin' My Chicken & Pullin' My Pork BBQ

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 131.9

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12179940683

Visit website

Jersey Mike's Subs

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 131.9

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+12177904116

Visit website

Little Caesars Pizza

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 131.9

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+12173470491

Visit website

Fujiyama Japanese Steakhouse (Effingham)

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 131.9

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+12173423833

Visit website

Panera Bread

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 131.9

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12172403001

Visit website

Original Mocha Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 316.5

Tinley Park, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+17089044960

Visit website

The Well

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 290.2

Manteno, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+17795295090

Visit website

Bonny's Bistro

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 316.5

Matteson, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+17738964817

Visit website

Solyne Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 316.5

Frankfort, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+18477444958

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 131.9

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 211

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 131.9

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 131.9

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 211

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 131.9

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+12172407175

Visit website

Tk Grille

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 131.9

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 6–10 am

+12175407716

MY Garage Museum & Retail Store

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 131.9

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12175404277

Visit website

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 342.9

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 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 135.6 and 349.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

135.6 mi into trip | ~2h 33m in | I 57

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 North: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 57 North: Chicago

321.1 mi into trip | ~5h 54m in

Take the exit toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin

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 349-350 Toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevar...

321.4 mi into trip | ~5h 54m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Exit 349 Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin

345.2 mi into trip | ~6h 24m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Take the exit onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago

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 31 Toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Roc...

349.1 mi into trip | ~6h 31m in | US 20

Take the exit onto US 20 toward US 20 West, IL 64 West: Lake Street, York Road

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

Use the right lane. Exit 12 Toward US 20 West, IL 64 West: Lake Street, Yor...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$60.05 one way

$120.10 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 134 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$65.93	$131.86
premium	$4.89	$73.92	$147.83
diesel	$5.61	$84.80	$169.61

Estimated Tolls: $1.37

Tri-state Tollway (22.9 mi) $1.37

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

$60

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$86–$111

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 134.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

27 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Subway - Tesla Supercharger

Salem, IL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Holiday Inn - Tesla Supercharger

Effingham, IL

Tesla

12 DCFC

County Market - Tesla Supercharger

Champaign, IL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Mach 1 - Tesla Supercharger

Marion, IL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Mach 1 - Tesla Supercharger

Mt. Vernon, IL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Holiday Inn Mt. Vernon - Tesla Supercharger

Mt. Vernon, IL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Jack Flash - Effingham - Tesla Supercharger

Effingham, IL

Tesla

6 DCFC

Pilot Travel Center 595

Marion, IL

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Tesla: 7 eVgo Network: 3 UNIVERSAL: 3 RED_E: 3 ChargePoint Network: 3 Electrify America: 2 Blink Network: 2 SYNERGEV: 1 CIRCLE_K: 1 Non-Networked: 1 FORD_CHARGE: 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	110.8	1	$38.78	$17.73
Efficient EV	92.3	1	$32.31	$14.77
EV Truck/SUV	147.7	1	$51.70	$23.64

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

Pleasant Grove, IL

Morning in Pleasant Grove on Sunday

Local time

9:17 AM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Elgin, IL

Morning in Elgin on Sunday

Local time

9:17 AM

CDT

Current temp

50°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 cooler at arrival

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

Road read

7h 4m 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 331.1

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?

369.3 mi in 7h 4m, mostly highway — 185.5 mi of that is on I 57.

88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

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

Longest single stretch: 185.5 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 135.6 miles in near I 57.

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 369.3 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 135.6 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 321.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 321.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

Between Pleasant Grove, IL and Elgin, IL, road signs point toward Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Chicago and Saint Charles Road West.

Wisconsin

321.1 mi in | ~5h 54m

Milwaukee

345.2 mi in | ~6h 24m | via I 294

Chicago

345.2 mi in | ~6h 24m | via I 294

Saint Charles Road West

346.9 mi in | ~6h 28m

About the Cities

Arriving 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 4m. Total distance: 369.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 4m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 185.5 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.37 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 Elgin, 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 7.1 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 Elgin, 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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