Origin
Savanna, IL
Late night in Savanna on Tuesday
Local time
3:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Savanna, IL to Elgin, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 34m
Distance
112.5 mi
181 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 24m
★
6 AM
2h 34m
8 AM
2h 55m
10 AM
2h 41m
12 PM
2h 39m
3 PM
2h 43m
5 PM
2h 54m
8 PM
2h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Savanna, IL
Hugo Sykes
Elgin, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 112.5-mile drive from Savanna, IL, to Elgin, IL, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 34 minutes. You'll primarily navigate using the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, Chicago Avenue, and Main Street, with about 13% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is $18. This drive offers a straightforward path through the Midwest region, suitable for those looking for a direct connection between these two Illinois communities. Given its manageable length, it's an ideal option for a day excursion.
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
56.3 miles from Savanna, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Jane Addams Memorial Tollway | 36.6 mi | 39m |
| Chicago Avenue | 17.6 mi | 27m |
| Main Street | 15.9 mi | 23m |
| West Blackhawk Drive | 11.9 mi | 17m |
| IL 72 | 10 mi | 14m |
| U.S. Grant Memorial Highway | 7.4 mi | 8m |
| South Broad Street | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| IL 26 | 4 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
— 36.6 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Savanna, IL and Elgin, IL.
1
Start on US 52; IL 64; IL 84
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Main Street
2
Continue on US 52; IL 64; IL 84
18 mi
·
27 min
·
Chicago Avenue
3
Turn left onto IL 73
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
South Broad Street
4
Turn right onto IL 72
10 mi
·
14 min
·
IL 72
5
Turn right onto IL 26; IL 72
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
IL 26; IL 72
6
Turn left onto IL 72
16 mi
·
23 min
·
Main Street
7
At end of road, turn left onto IL 2; IL 72
12 mi
·
17 min
·
West Blackhawk Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Turn left onto IL 2
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Use the right lane.
10
Merge onto US 20
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
11
Continue on I 39; US 51
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
I 39; US 51
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 East: Chicago
13
Merge onto I 90
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
17 mi
·
18 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 54A
Toward IL 31 South
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn straight onto IL 31
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
North State Street
17
Turn left onto East Chicago Street
0.3 mi
·
55 sec
·
East Chicago Street
18
Arrive at destination
East Chicago Street
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 2-hour and 34-minute drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the busiest traffic and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one suggested stop, you can easily complete the 112.5 miles without needing to break it into an overnight journey. Keep an eye on your fuel, with an estimated cost of $18 for the trip. A specific tip for this route is to be prepared for the transition off the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, as this is where the driving will become more localized and require closer attention to navigation.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 56.3 miles from Savanna, IL, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.6 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 25 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.3 miles or 1h 25m 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 9m
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 Savanna, 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 Savanna, IL
This is one driving day of about 112.5 miles and 2h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Savanna, 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 Jane Addams Memorial Tollway for about 36.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
56 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 56.3 miles from Savanna, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 51.7 and 109.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
51.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
|
IL 2; IL 72 / West Blackhawk Drive
At end of road, turn left onto IL 2; IL 72 / West Blackhawk Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
64.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
73.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
|
I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge onto I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
92.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
|
I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
109.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m in
Take the exit toward IL 31 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 54A
Toward IL 31 South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.59 one way
$35.18 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $19.31 | $38.62 |
| premium | $4.89 | $21.65 | $43.30 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.84 | $49.68 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.56
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(36.6 mi)
$2.56
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
$18
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.8 | 0 | $11.81 | $5.40 |
| Efficient EV | 28.1 | 0 | $9.84 | $4.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45 | 0 | $15.75 | $7.20 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Destination
Elgin, IL
Late night in Elgin on Tuesday
Local time
3:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 10 mph
34% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 12:33PM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 16 at 12:29PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
63°F
Byron, IL
56 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
23 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
2h 34m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for most of this 112.5-mile route. While you'll encounter some highway driving, only about 13% of the total distance is on such roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 36.6 miles on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, offering a brief period of more consistent speed. Beyond that, the journey will involve more frequent turns and changes in road type as you transition from tollway to local streets like Chicago Avenue and Main Street. This character means you'll want to stay alert and prepared for varied driving conditions.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 36.6 mi on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 51.7 miles in near IL 2; IL 72 / West Blackhawk Drive.
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 112.5 miles you will encounter 13 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: at 51.7 miles (IL 2; IL 72 / West Blackhawk Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 64.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 73.1 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Savanna, IL
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Savanna–Sabula Bridge — bridge in Jackson County, Iowa
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 2h 34m. Total distance: 112.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 36.6 miles on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.56 in tolls one way, starting with Jane Addams 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.
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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 51.7 miles (IL 2; IL 72 / West Blackhawk Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 64.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 73.1 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Elgin, IL before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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