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Trip from Mount Carroll, IL to Chicago, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 3m

Distance

142.3 mi

229 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 52m ★
6 AM
3h 3m
8 AM
3h 26m
10 AM
3h 11m
12 PM
3h 9m
3 PM
3h 13m
5 PM
3h 25m
8 PM
2h 56m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Mount Carroll, IL, IL

Mount Carroll, IL

Shashank Brahmavar

Downtown chicago-il

Chicago, IL

Otoniel Alvarado

Trip Overview

This 142.3-mile drive from Mount Carroll, IL, to Chicago, IL, is a manageable one-day trip taking approximately 3 hours and 3 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $22, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Midwest. The primary roads include the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, Chambers Road, and US 52, with about 20% of the drive on highways. This trip is well-suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The journey offers a practical way to travel between these two Illinois locations.

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

71.2 miles from Mount Carroll, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway 86.5 mi 1h 37m
Chambers Road 23.7 mi 35m
US 52 14.9 mi 23m
Eisenhower Expressway 13.2 mi 18m
East Benton Street 0.9 mi 2m
Dan Ryan Expressway 0.8 mi 1m
West Cermak Road 0.2 mi <1m
South Union Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway — 86.5 mi, about 1h 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mount Carroll, IL and Chicago, IL.

1

Start on this road

73 ft · 10 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto East Benton Street

0.9 mi · 2 min · East Benton Street
3

At end of road, turn left onto US 52; IL 64

13 mi · 19 min · Chambers Road
4

Continue on US 52; IL 64

11 mi · 15 min · Chambers Road
5

Continue on US 52; IL 26

5.6 mi · 8 min · US 52; IL 26
6

Continue on South Il Route 26

352 ft · 5 sec · South Il Route 26
7

Continue on US 52; IL 26

9.3 mi · 15 min · US 52; IL 26
8

Turn left

0.2 mi · 26 sec
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
10

Merge onto I 88; IL 110

80 mi · 1 hr 29 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110

6.0 mi · 7 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto I 290; IL 110

13 mi · 18 min · Eisenhower Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana, Taylor Street, Roosevelt Road
14

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana
15

Merge onto I 90; I 94

0.8 mi · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Exit 52C Toward 18th Street Use the slight right lane.
17

Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue

0.2 mi · 30 sec · South Union Avenue
18

Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue

505 ft · 12 sec · South Canalport Avenue
19

Turn left onto South Halsted Street

0.1 mi · 18 sec · South Halsted Street
20

Turn right onto West Cermak Road

0.2 mi · 24 sec · West Cermak Road
21

Turn left

152 ft · 11 sec
22

Turn right

0.2 mi · 58 sec
23

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short 142.3-mile distance and 3-hour duration, this trip is best tackled in one day, offering flexibility on your departure time. You'll want to factor in the $22 fuel cost and plan for one stop, perhaps midway through the 86.5-mile stretch on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. Leaving early can help you beat some of the local traffic as you approach Chicago. Pay attention to signage, especially as you transition between the tollway and local roads like US 52 and Chambers Road, as the 'turn-heavy' nature of the drive requires more active navigation.

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 71.2 miles from Mount Carroll, IL, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.5 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 31 miles or 47m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 71.2 miles or 1h 37m 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 28m

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 Mount Carroll, 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 Mount Carroll, IL

This is one driving day of about 142.3 miles and 3h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Mount Carroll, 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 86.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city on tripoints of DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Aurora, IL

71 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.

Popular next leg

Aurora, IL to Chicago, IL

42.2 mi · 58m

Pacing Suggestions

Polo, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sycamore, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 71.2 miles from Mount Carroll, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · final third

A2B Indian Veg Restaurant - Illinois

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Warrenville, Illinois

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third · 39min to go 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm

+16307918800

Visit website

Habrae Thai dessert cafe & restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Forest Park, Illinois

0.4 mi

Piacere Mio Italian Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Forest Park, Illinois

0.7 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Friendly Coffee Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Berwyn, Illinois

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 13min to go 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+17084849794

Visit website

A2B Indian Veg Restaurant - Illinois

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Warrenville, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm

+16307918800

Visit website

Habrae Thai dessert cafe & restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Forest Park, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–9:30 pm

+17086898852

Visit website

Piacere Mio Italian Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Forest Park, Illinois

Hours: 4–9 pm

+17083664010

Visit website

charlie's restaurant - forest park

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Forest Park, Illinois

Hours: 5:30 am–2:30 pm

+17087711969

Visit website

Han 202 Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 5–10 pm

+13129491314

Visit website

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Oak Park, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17086132999

Visit website

Triple Crown Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13128420088

Visit website

Oak Street Restaurant And Bar

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

North Aurora, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+16303017202

Visit website

Friendly Coffee Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Berwyn, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+17084849794

Visit website

International Museum of Surgical Science, A Division of the International College of Surgeons

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 9:30 am–5 pm

+13126426502

Visit website

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 40.5 and 141.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
40.5 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Merge onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
121 mi into trip | ~2h 32m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
127 mi into trip | ~2h 40m in | I 290; IL 110 / Eisenhower Expressway

Merge onto I 290; IL 110 / Eisenhower Expressway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
140.3 mi into trip | ~2h 58m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana
7
141.3 mi into trip | ~3h in

Take the exit toward 18th Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 52C Toward 18th Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.25 one way

$44.49 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 50 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $24.43 $48.85
premium $4.89 $27.38 $54.77
diesel $5.61 $31.42 $62.84

Estimated Tolls: $5.19

Reagan Memorial Tollway (86.5 mi) $5.19

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

$22

Tolls

$5

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 49.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 42.7 0 $14.94 $6.83
Efficient EV 35.6 0 $12.45 $5.69
EV Truck/SUV 56.9 0 $19.92 $9.11

Gas CO2

50 kg

EV CO2

17 kg (66% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Mount Carroll, IL

Late night in Mount Carroll on Tuesday

Local time

5:25 AM

CDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Chicago, IL

Late night in Chicago on Tuesday

Local time

5:25 AM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Widespread Fog

ESE 0 to 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Dense Fog Advisory

Dense Fog Advisory issued April 16 at 11:52PM CDT until April 17 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

Dense Fog Advisory

Dense Fog Advisory issued April 16 at 11:52PM CDT until April 17 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

65°F

Aurora, IL

71 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

2 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

3h 3m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Pullman National Historical Park

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 142.3
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for a good portion of this 142.3-mile route, interspersed with a significant 86.5-mile stretch on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. While only 20% of the journey is on highways, that long uninterrupted segment on the tollway will provide a different feel compared to the more winding local roads. The drive will likely transition from more rural or suburban settings into the busier approach to Chicago. This mix means you'll experience varying road conditions and speeds throughout your 3-hour trip.

Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.5 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 40.5 miles in near I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 142.3 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 40.5 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 121 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 127 miles (I 290; IL 110 / Eisenhower Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

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 3h 3m. Total distance: 142.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 86.5 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $5.19 in tolls one way, starting with Reagan 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.

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 40.5 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 121 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 127 miles (I 290; IL 110 / Eisenhower Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Chicago, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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