This 278.2-mile drive from South Roxana, IL to Elgin, IL is designed for a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 36 minutes. You'll primarily be on I-55, with segments of IL-47 and Orchard Road closer to your destination. The route is heavily highway-focused, making up 85% of the journey, and is budgeted at around $43 for fuel. Given its duration and highway-centric profile, it's a straightforward trip across the Midwest region of Illinois. This drive is best suited for those who prefer to cover ground efficiently.
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
139.1 miles from South Roxana, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
196.8 mi
3h 31m
IL 47
32 mi
38m
Orchard Road
11.2 mi
18m
South Randall Road
10.5 mi
17m
IL 31
6.1 mi
11m
Minkler Road
4.3 mi
6m
Ashley Road
2.8 mi
3m
Edwardsville Road
2.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 196.8 mi, about 3h 31m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,745 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,160
Quietest
2 AM
~156 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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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 South Roxana, IL and Elgin, IL.
1
Start on Sinclair Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Sinclair Avenue
2
At end of road, turn right onto Madison Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Madison Street
3
Continue on Madison Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Madison Avenue
4
Continue on Old Alton Edwardsville Road
1.3 mi·3 min·Old Alton Edwardsville Road
5
Turn left onto Bender Road
0.2 mi·19 sec·Bender Road
6
Turn right onto IL 143
2.5 mi·3 min·Edwardsville Road
7
Continue on IL 143; IL 159
1.3 mi·3 min·North Main Street
8
Turn left onto IL 143; IL 157
0.8 mi·1 min·East Vandalia Street
9
Continue on IL 143
2.5 mi·4 min·Marine Road
10
Turn left onto IL 143
0.6 mi·58 sec·IL 143
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Use the left lane.
12
Merge onto I 55
104 mi·1 hr 52 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: Chicago, Springfield
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
64 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·35 sec
Exit 220Toward IL 47: Morris, DwightUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn left onto IL 47
32 mi·38 min·IL 47
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto Walker Road
1.5 mi·2 min·Walker Road
18
Turn left onto Ashley Road
2.8 mi·3 min·Ashley Road
19
At end of road, turn right onto IL 126
0.5 mi·46 sec·East Schoolhouse Road
20
Turn left onto Minkler Road
3.4 mi·4 min·Minkler Road
21
Enter roundabout onto Minkler Road
126 ft·3 sec·Minkler Road
22
Continue on Minkler Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Minkler Road
23
Continue on Orchard Road
11 mi·18 min·Orchard Road
Use the left lane.
24
Turn left onto CR 34
10 mi·17 min·South Randall Road
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto CR 5
1.0 mi·1 min·Silver Glen Road
26
At end of road, turn left onto IL 31
6.1 mi·11 min·IL 31
27
Turn right onto East Chicago Street
0.3 mi·55 sec·East Chicago Street
28
Arrive at destination
East Chicago Street
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour and 36-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you approach Elgin. With a fuel cost estimated at $43, planning one stop for gas and a break around the halfway point of the 196.8-mile stretch on I-55 is advisable. While this trip is manageable in one day, be mindful of the final 15% of the route on IL-47 and Orchard Road, which may involve more local traffic. The flexibility of a single-day trip means you can adjust your pace as needed.
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 139.1 miles from South Roxana, IL, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 196.8 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 61 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.1 miles or 2h 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 4h 18m
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 South Roxana, 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 South Roxana, IL
This is one driving day of about 278.2 miles and 5h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from South Roxana, 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 196.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 207.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|Madison Street
At end of road, turn right onto Madison Street
Navigation decision point
5
11 mi into trip|~22m in|I 55
Merge onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago, Springfield
Merge point - match speed before joining. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North: Chicago, Springfield
7
114.9 mi into trip|~2h 14m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
144.3 mi into trip|~2h 45m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
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 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
8
207.8 mi into trip|~3h 53m in
Take the exit toward IL 47: Morris, Dwight
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 220
Toward IL 47: Morris, Dwight
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.08 one way
$82.17 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$45.36
$90.71
premium
$4.72
$51.65
$103.31
diesel
$4.80
$52.53
$105.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.5
1
$29.21
$13.35
Efficient EV
69.6
0
$24.34
$11.13
EV Truck/SUV
111.3
1
$38.95
$17.80
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
33 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
South Roxana, IL
Evening
in South Roxana on Monday
Local time
7:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
SW 2 to 7 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Elgin, IL
Evening
in Elgin on Monday
Local time
7:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
SW 5 to 10 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 36m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 278.2-mile trip, with 85% of the drive utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 196.8 miles on I-55, allowing for consistent speed. As you transition to IL-47 and Orchard Road, the character of the drive may shift slightly, offering a different pace. This route prioritizes forward momentum over winding backroads, making it ideal for reaching your destination without many detours.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 196.8 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and IL 47. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Madison Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 278.2 miles you will encounter 17 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 0.3 miles (Madison Street): Navigation decision point; at 11 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
782 ft439 ft
Total Climb
619 ft
Total Descent
319 ft
Highest Point
782 ft
~159 mi in
Elevation Range
342 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between South Roxana, IL and Elgin, IL, road signs point toward Peoria and Dwight.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 36m. Total distance: 278.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 196.8 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 22 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 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. There are 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Madison Street): Navigation decision point; at 11 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 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.
