How far is Carlinville, IL from Arlington Heights, IL?
The driving distance from Carlinville, IL to Arlington Heights, IL is about 254 miles (408.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 218.1 miles (351 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 55m 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 03h 57m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in McLean County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carlinville and Arlington Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carlinville and Arlington Heights.
-
1
Start on South Side Square
640 ft · 12 sec · South Side Square
-
2
Exit the rotary onto North Broad Street
1 km · 56 sec · North Broad Street
-
3
Turn slight right
13.7 mi · 20 min
-
4
Turn right onto West South Street
2719 ft · 54 sec · West South Street
-
5
Continue on Farmersville Road
3.8 mi · 7 min · Farmersville Road
-
6
Continue on Mine Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · Mine Avenue
-
7
Continue on Main Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Main Street
-
8
Continue on Mine Avenue
626 ft · 13 sec · Mine Avenue
-
9
Turn left
2241 ft · 56 sec
-
10
Merge slight left
54.7 mi · 59 min
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
112.5 mi · 2 hr 3 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs
2797 ft · 1 min
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on I 355 North: Northwest Suburbs
1.2 mi · 3 min
-
15
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
19.2 mi · 24 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
-
16
Merge slight left
5.6 mi · 7 min
-
17
Keep slight left
2.7 mi · 4 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward East Euclid Avenue, Third District, Circuit Court
1856 ft · 45 sec
-
19
Turn slight right onto Euclid Avenue
2.5 mi · 6 min · Euclid Avenue
-
20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Euclid Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carlinville and Arlington Heights.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 55 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
112 mi · 02h 03m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Carlinville and Sunny near Arlington Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carlinville to Arlington Heights?
The road trip is about 254 miles (408.8 km) and usually takes 03h 57m 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?
Lexington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 125.5 miles from Carlinville and 128.6 miles from Arlington Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 218.1 miles (351 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.9 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 9:04 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.79 one way or $67.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Carlinville and Sunny near Arlington Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Lexington
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Town of Normal
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lexington.
Uptown Station
Pontiac station
Dwight station
Rantoul
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carlinville and Arlington Heights. Straight-line distance: 218.11 mi (351.02 km).
#1 Carlinville
City in Illinois
| Population | 5,441 |
| Coordinates | 39.2797700, -89.8817700 |
| Altitude | 191 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Arlington Heights
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States; suburb of Chicago, Illinois
| Population | 75,101 |
| Coordinates | 42.0883600, -87.9806300 |
| Altitude | 214 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Euclid Avenue (-87.980632, 42.088281)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 409 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.79 | $67.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $38.11 | $76.21 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.70 | $83.40 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $47.52 | $95.05 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.