How far is Carbondale, IL from Wheaton, IL?
The driving distance from Carbondale, IL to Wheaton, IL is about 347.7 miles (559.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 292 miles (469.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 05h 33m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in Douglas County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carbondale and Wheaton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carbondale and Wheaton.
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1
Start on East Main Street
539 ft · 21 sec · East Main Street
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2
Turn left onto South University Avenue
721 ft · 17 sec · South University Avenue
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3
Turn left onto West Walnut Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · West Walnut Street
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4
Continue on East Main Street
9.7 mi · 14 min · East Main Street
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5
Continue on West Deyoung Street
3.3 mi · 4 min · West Deyoung Street
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6
Take the exit slight left
1.2 mi · 3 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Ken Gray Expressway
41.3 mi · 45 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
67.5 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
154.9 mi · 2 hr 46 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Bourbonnais Parkway
2050 ft · 42 sec
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11
Turn left onto Bourbonnais Parkway
3273 ft · 1 min · Bourbonnais Parkway
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12
Turn right
18.2 mi · 26 min
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13
Turn left onto West Steger Road
1196 ft · 55 sec · West Steger Road
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14
Turn right onto Wolf Road
2.3 mi · 4 min · Wolf Road
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15
Turn left onto Lincoln Highway
3.8 mi · 6 min · Lincoln Highway
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16
Continue on East Maple Street
1471 ft · 27 sec · East Maple Street
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17
Continue on West Lincoln Highway
135 m · 10 sec · West Lincoln Highway
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18
Turn right onto North Cedar Road
2.4 mi · 6 min · North Cedar Road
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19
Turn left onto Maple Road
1060 ft · 18 sec · Maple Road
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20
Take the ramp slight right toward I 355 Toll North: West Suburbs
3244 ft · 57 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
23 mi · 27 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward IL 38: Roosevelt Road
2074 ft · 58 sec
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23
Keep slight left to continue on IL 38: Roosevelt Road, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton
119 m · 11 sec
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24
Turn left onto East Roosevelt Road
3.4 mi · 7 min · East Roosevelt Road
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25
Turn right onto South Main Street
2720 ft · 1 min · South Main Street
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26
At the end of the road, turn left onto West Wesley Street
31 m · 3 sec · West Wesley Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Wesley Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carbondale and Wheaton.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 57 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
155 mi · 02h 46m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Carbondale and Showers And Thunderstorms near Wheaton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carbondale to Wheaton?
The road trip is about 347.7 miles (559.5 km) and usually takes 05h 33m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Arcola is a useful midpoint, sitting about 168.1 miles from Carbondale and 179.6 miles from Wheaton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 292 miles (469.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.7 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:54 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $57.24 one way or $114.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 109 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Carbondale and Showers And Thunderstorms near Wheaton.
Stop Ideas Near Arcola
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Arcola.
Mattoon station
Illinois Terminal
Effingham
Rantoul
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carbondale and Wheaton. Straight-line distance: 291.96 mi (469.87 km).
#1 Carbondale
City in Illinois, USA
| Population | 25,036 |
| Coordinates | 37.7272700, -89.2167500 |
| Altitude | 126 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Wheaton
The most populous city in DuPage County, Illinois.
| Population | 52,451 |
| Coordinates | 41.8661400, -88.1070100 |
| Altitude | 231 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Wesley Street (-88.10701, 41.866123)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 559 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $57.24 | $114.48 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $64.93 | $129.87 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $71.62 | $143.24 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $80.63 | $161.25 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Illinois · Oct 15, 2026