Origin
Carthage, IL
Late night in Carthage on Tuesday
Local time
5:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carthage, IL to Chicago, 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
5h 16m
Distance
270.4 mi
435 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 3m
★
6 AM
5h 16m
8 AM
5h 43m
10 AM
5h 26m
12 PM
5h 23m
3 PM
5h 27m
5 PM
5h 42m
8 PM
5h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carthage, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Trip Overview
This 270.4-mile drive from Carthage, IL, to Chicago, IL, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 16 minutes. You'll primarily be on major highways, including I-80 and I-55, with a substantial 96% of the trip on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this Midwest-to-Midwest trip is around $42, making it a budget-friendly option for a quick transition between two Illinois locations. Given its efficiency and manageable duration, this route is ideal for a day trip, allowing you to arrive in Chicago with plenty of time to spare.
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
135.2 miles from Carthage, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 38m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 115.7 mi | 2h 4m |
| Chicago-Kansas City Expressway | 101.4 mi | 1h 55m |
| I 55 | 36.1 mi | 45m |
| US 136 | 3.8 mi | 7m |
| Stevenson Expressway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| North Lafayette Street | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| East 1200th Street | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| West Cermak Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 115.7 mi, about 2h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carthage, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on IL 94
62 ft
·
6 sec
·
North Madison Street
2
Turn left onto US 136; IL 94
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Buchanan Street
3
Continue on US 136; IL 94
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
·
E County Road 1500
4
Take the ramp
84 ft
·
3 sec
Use the left lane.
5
Turn left onto US 136
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
US 136
6
Merge onto US 136; IL 110; IL 336
21 mi
·
24 min
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
8
Turn right onto US 136
3.4 mi
·
6 min
·
US 136
9
Turn left onto US 136
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
North Johnson Street
10
Turn slight right onto US 136
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
West Calhoun Street
11
Turn left onto US 67
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Lafayette Street
12
Continue on US 67
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
East 1200th Street
13
Continue on US 67; IL 110
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
14
Continue on US 67; IL 110
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Monmouth Street
15
Continue on US 67; IL 110
45 mi
·
52 min
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
16
Keep slight right at fork onto IL 110
31 mi
·
34 min
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
17
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 80 East: Chicago
18
Merge onto I 80
116 mi
·
2 hr 4 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 126B
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
Use the right lane.
20
Merge onto I 55
36 mi
·
45 min
·
I 55
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on I 55
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 290
Toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward Damen Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
440 ft
·
12 sec
Toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
Use the left lane.
25
Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Damen Avenue
26
Turn right onto South Blue Island Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Blue Island Avenue
27
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Cermak Road
28
Turn right
152 ft
·
11 sec
29
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour and 16-minute drive, departing early in the morning is advisable to maximize your time upon arrival in Chicago. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 115.7 miles on I-80, you can plan your breaks strategically. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $42 estimated cost suggests you'll want to ensure you have enough to cover the longer highway segments. Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on traffic, particularly as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area.
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 135.2 miles from Carthage, IL, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.7 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 59 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.2 miles or 2h 38m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chicago, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Carthage, 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 Carthage, IL
This is one driving day of about 270.4 miles and 5h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Carthage, 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 80 for about 115.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
135 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 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 135.2 miles from Carthage, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 115.7 miles.
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 195 decision points cluster between mile 79.6 and 268 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
79.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
|
IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
7
227.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 55 North: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 126B
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
267.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 9m in
Take the exit toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
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 290
Toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
8
267.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Damen Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Damen Avenue
9
268 mi into trip
|
~5h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.27 one way
$84.55 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $46.42 | $92.83 |
| premium | $4.89 | $52.04 | $104.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.70 | $119.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.1 | 1 | $28.39 | $12.98 |
| Efficient EV | 67.6 | 0 | $23.66 | $10.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108.2 | 1 | $37.86 | $17.31 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Destination
Chicago, IL
Late night in Chicago on Tuesday
Local time
5:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Geneseo, IL
135 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
5 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 16m 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.
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 270.4
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the vast majority of this 270.4-mile trip. With 96% of the route on interstates like I-80 and I-55, you'll experience a consistent pace for much of the journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 115.7 miles on I-80, offering a solid block of driving time. While it's a predominantly highway experience, the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway provides a key segment connecting you to the interstates. This route prioritizes directness over varied scenery, so settle in for efficient travel.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 115.7 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 79.6 miles in near IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway.
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 19 significant decision points across 270.4 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 79.6 miles (IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 227.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 267.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Carthage, IL to Chicago, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Rock Island along the way.
Rock Island
79.6 mi in
|
~1h 38m
|
via IL 110
About the Cities
Arriving in Chicago, IL
Full guide →Chicago is the home of the blues and the truth of jazz, the heart of comedy and the idea of the skyscraper. Here, the age of railroads found its center, and airplanes followed suit. "Stormy, Husky, Brawling / City of Big Shoulders," Chicago is a Heartland boomtown, its ethos defined by urban planner Daniel Burnham's immortal vision: "Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood." It is one of the world's great cities and the third largest city in the United States, behind only New York City and Los Angeles. As the hub of the Midwest, Chicago is easy to find — its picturesque skyline calls across the waters of Lake Michigan, a first impression that soon reveals world-class museums of art and science, miles of sandy beaches, huge parks and public art, and perhaps the finest downtown collection of modern architecture in the world.
Top landmarks
- • Willis Tower — skyscraper in Chicago, Illinois
- • Art Institute of Chicago — art museum and school in Chicago, United States
- • Wrigley Field — baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, USA; home venue of the Chicago Cubs
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 5h 16m. Total distance: 270.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 115.7 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Chicago, 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 79.6 miles (IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 227.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 267.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Chicago, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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