This 244.7-mile drive from Carthage, IL, to Elgin, IL, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 53 minutes. You'll primarily be on the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and IL 110, with the majority of the journey, 87%, being on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $38, making it an economical option. This highway-focused route is a straightforward way to travel within the Midwest, connecting two points in Illinois without venturing into significantly different terrains. It’s a solid choice if you're looking for an efficient drive to get you from point A to point B.
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
122.4 miles from Carthage, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
108.1 mi
2h 2m
IL 110
94.2 mi
1h 41m
East Lincoln Highway
16.6 mi
22m
IL 31
6.1 mi
11m
US 136
3.8 mi
7m
Bolcum Road
3.2 mi
5m
LaFox Road
2.3 mi
3m
North Lafayette Street
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
— 108.1 mi, about 2h 2m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~862 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,082
Quietest
2 AM
~96 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 34 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 Carthage, IL and Elgin, 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
32 mi·34 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
17
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 110
6.3 mi·6 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Toward I 80 West: Des Moines
18
Take the exit onto IL 110
94 mi·1 hr 41 min·IL 110
Exit 4BToward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 94Toward DeKalb, Sycamore
20
Keep slight right at fork
165 ft·6 sec
Use the left / right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto Peace Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Peace Road
22
Turn right onto IL 38
17 mi·22 min·East Lincoln Highway
23
Turn left onto CR 81
2.3 mi·3 min·LaFox Road
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on CR 2
0.3 mi·31 sec·Burlington Road
25
Enter roundabout onto Bolcum Road
22 ft·0 sec·Bolcum Road
26
Continue on Bolcum Road
3.2 mi·5 min·Bolcum Road
27
Turn left onto CR 34
0.8 mi·1 min·Randall Road
28
Turn right onto CR 5
1.0 mi·1 min·Silver Glen Road
29
At end of road, turn left onto IL 31
6.1 mi·11 min·IL 31
30
Turn right onto East Chicago Street
0.3 mi·55 sec·East Chicago Street
31
Arrive at destination
East Chicago Street
Trip Plan
With a total duration of under five hours, this trip is ideal for a single-day adventure, offering flexibility in your departure time. Consider an early morning start to maximize your day and potentially avoid any mid-day traffic, especially as you approach the Elgin area. You'll have one main stretch of over 100 miles, so plan your stops accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point or before you begin that longer segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $38, it’s wise to ensure your tank is full before departing Carthage to minimize any mid-route fuel stops.
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 122.4 miles from Carthage, IL, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.1 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 54 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.4 miles or 2h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 48m
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 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 244.7 miles and 4h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 Chicago-Kansas City Expressway for about 108.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Final third
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
$10 to $20
Sterling, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–1 pm
+18155905472
The Speakeasy at La Bella Notte
5.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Rock Falls, Illinois
Hours: 11:30 am–9:30 pm
+18157168559
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 79.6 and 212.4 — 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
5
111.6 mi into trip|~2h 13m in|IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway toward I 80 West: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 80 West: Des Moines
6
117.9 mi into trip|~2h 19m in|IL 110
Take the exit onto IL 110 toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 4B
Toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Fa...
6
212.1 mi into trip|~4h 1m in
Take the exit toward DeKalb, Sycamore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 94
Toward DeKalb, Sycamore
6
212.4 mi into trip|~4h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.14 one way
$72.27 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$39.89
$79.79
premium
$4.72
$45.43
$90.87
diesel
$4.80
$46.20
$92.41
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.4
0
$25.69
$11.75
Efficient EV
61.2
0
$21.41
$9.79
EV Truck/SUV
97.9
1
$34.26
$15.66
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Carthage, IL
Late night
in Carthage on Monday
Local time
2:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:50AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Elgin, IL
Late night
in Elgin on Monday
Local time
2:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 10 to 15 mph28% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:50AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
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
3 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
4h 53m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive that's largely focused on the highway, with 87% of the route utilizing major roadways like the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. You'll encounter one significant stretch of 108.1 miles on this expressway, offering a good opportunity to make steady progress. While predominantly highway, the East Lincoln Highway will also feature, potentially offering a slightly different driving feel as you get closer to your destination. The overall character is one of consistent travel, designed for covering distance efficiently rather than for winding scenic detours.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 108.1 mi on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and IL 110. 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 244.7 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 111.6 miles (IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 117.9 miles (IL 110): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
906 ft582 ft
Total Climb
460 ft
Total Descent
392 ft
Highest Point
906 ft
~227.2 mi in
Elevation Range
324 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Carthage, IL and Elgin, IL, road signs point toward Rock Island, Rock Falls, Dekalb and Sycamore.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 53m. Total distance: 244.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 108.1 miles on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 111.6 miles (IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 117.9 miles (IL 110): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Elgin, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
