How far is Carlinville, IL from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Carlinville, IL to Chicago, IL is about 246.4 miles (396.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 212.7 miles (342.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 49m 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 54m.
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.
Township in McLean County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carlinville and Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carlinville and Chicago.
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1
Start on South Side Square
640 ft · 12 sec · South Side Square
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2
Exit the rotary onto North Broad Street
1 km · 56 sec · North Broad Street
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3
Turn slight right
13.7 mi · 20 min
-
4
Turn right onto West South Street
2719 ft · 54 sec · West South Street
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5
Continue on Farmersville Road
3.8 mi · 7 min · Farmersville Road
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6
Continue on Mine Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · Mine Avenue
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7
Continue on Main Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Main Street
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8
Continue on Mine Avenue
626 ft · 13 sec · Mine Avenue
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9
Turn left
2241 ft · 56 sec
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10
Merge slight left
54.7 mi · 59 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
130.4 mi · 2 hr 27 min
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13
Continue on Stevenson Expressway
3.6 mi · 5 min · Stevenson Expressway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
912 ft · 24 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Damen Avenue
1372 ft · 34 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
134 m · 13 sec
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17
Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · South Damen Avenue
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18
Turn right onto South Blue Island Avenue
2973 ft · 2 min · South Blue Island Avenue
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19
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
1.3 km · 2 min · West Cermak Road
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20
Turn right
46 m · 11 sec
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21
Turn right
794 ft · 58 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carlinville and Chicago.
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
130 mi · 02h 27m
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 Mostly Sunny near Chicago.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carlinville to Chicago?
The road trip is about 246.4 miles (396.5 km) and usually takes 03h 54m 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?
Towanda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121.6 miles from Carlinville and 124.8 miles from Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 212.7 miles (342.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.7 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 9:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.77 one way or $65.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Carlinville and Mostly Sunny near Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Towanda
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 Towanda.
Uptown Station
Pontiac station
Lincoln
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carlinville and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 212.72 mi (342.34 km).
#1 Carlinville
City in Illinois
| Population | 5,441 |
| Coordinates | 39.2797700, -89.8817700 |
| Altitude | 191 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Chicago
The third most populous city in the United States and the center of the Chicago metropolitan area.
| Population | 2,677,643 |
| Coordinates | 41.850033, -87.6500523 |
| Altitude | 179 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-87.650099, 41.850032)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 396 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.77 | $65.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.96 | $73.92 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.44 | $80.89 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.09 | $92.18 |
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 · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.