Drive or Fly: Elgin, IL to Carmi, IL?

Side-by-side comparison of driving versus flying for this route. Costs, time, and trade-offs at a glance.

Driving wins

Medium

Short enough to drive comfortably in a day. Airport overhead makes flying slower door-to-door. Available flights require a connection, adding time and cost.

Passengers:

Vehicle:

Find Your Vehicle (EPA fuel economy data)

Drive

Door to Door

6h 46m

Distance

319.2 mi

Total Cost

$102

CO2

129 kg

Cost Breakdown

Diesel$67

Hotel (1 room, 0 nights) $0

Meals (1 pax, 1 day) $35

+ No luggage restrictions or TSA lines

+ Comfortable one-day drive

+ Stop anywhere along the route

+ Have your own car at the destination

+ Likely faster door-to-door than flying

− Wear and tear on vehicle

− Fuel price fluctuations

Plan the drive

Fly

Door to Door

3h 54m

33m in the air

Air Distance

273 mi

Total Cost

$186

CO2

70 kg

Door-to-Door Timeline

Elgin, IL → ORD 30m

Check-in & Security 90m

Flight 33m

Arrival & Baggage 30m

EVV → Carmi, IL 51m

Cost Breakdown

Ticket (1 pax @ $131) $131

Rental car (1 day)$55

Airports

Elgin, IL ORD — Chicago O'Hare International Airport 20 mi, ~30m drive

Carmi, IL EVV — Evansville Regional Airport 34 mi, ~51m drive

Flight Data

Service

Connecting only

On-Time

100.0%

+ Saves about 2h 52m compared to driving

+ Less physical fatigue

+ Predictable arrival time

− Airport security and check-in overhead

− May need a rental car at destination

− Luggage fees and restrictions

− Less flexibility for stops along the way

At a Glance

	Drive	Fly
Door-to-door time	6h 46m	3h 54m
Total cost (1 person)	$102	$186
Carbon footprint	129 kg CO₂	70 kg CO₂
Flexibility	High	Low
Luggage	Unlimited	Restricted
Reliability	Weather dependent	100% on-time

Drive data: OSRM routing, EIA fuel prices

Flight data: Statistical estimate

Airports: OurAirports

Confidence: Medium — airports identified, fares estimated

Costs are estimates. Actual flight prices vary by airline, date, and booking time. Drive costs based on OSRM routing, EIA fuel prices. Computed Jun 3, 2026.

Route Options

2 different routes between these cities.

Fastest

319.2 mi 6h 46m

via I 57, IL 130, US 20

Alternative (+40 min)

360.5 mi 7h 27m

via I 39; US 51, IL 130, I 57

Decided to drive? See the full trip plan from Elgin, IL to Carmi, IL with stops, fuel costs, and turn-by-turn directions.