How far is Carmi, IL from Chicago, IL?

The driving distance from Carmi, IL to Chicago, IL is about 300.3 miles (483.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 261.1 miles (420.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
300.29 mi
05h 07m
Flight
261.12 mi
420.24 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Carmi.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
261.12 mi
Kilometers
420.24 km
Flight Time
00h 31m

Driving Distance

Road route
300.29 mi
Kilometers
483.27 km
Drive Time
05h 07m

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 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chicago
Thu, Apr 23, 9:19 AM CDT
Return by in Carmi
Thu, Apr 23, 2:27 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Carmi
2026-04-23T04:11
Arrive Chicago
Thu, Apr 23, 9:19 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:08 AM to 1:08 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:44 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Carmi
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Pesotum
IL

Township in Champaign County, Illinois

From Carmi
146.7 mi
02h 33m
To Chicago
153.6 mi
02h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 14 mph S
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Carmi and Chicago.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Carmi and Chicago.

  1. 1

    Start on East Main Street

    4.5 mi · 7 min · East Main Street

  2. 2

    Continue on South Cross Street

    8.6 mi · 13 min · South Cross Street

  3. 3

    Continue on South Court Street

    3 mi · 5 min · South Court Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Hagedorn Road

    4.3 mi · 6 min · Hagedorn Road

  5. 5

    Continue on 700E

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 700E

  6. 6

    Turn straight onto 575E

    1.8 mi · 3 min · 575E

  7. 7

    Continue on South 1st Street

    2614 ft · 50 sec · South 1st Street

  8. 8

    Turn left onto East Walnut Street

    1742 ft · 32 sec · East Walnut Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto 500E

    24.3 mi · 33 min · 500E

  10. 10

    Continue on South West Street

    2.5 mi · 5 min · South West Street

  11. 11

    Continue on County Road 1100 East

    6.7 mi · 9 min · County Road 1100 East

  12. 12

    Continue on South Van Buren Street

    11 mi · 15 min · South Van Buren Street

  13. 13

    Turn right

    36.3 mi · 54 min

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Lincoln Avenue

    2.5 mi · 4 min · Lincoln Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on Illinois Route 16

    5.3 mi · 7 min · Illinois Route 16

  16. 16

    Continue on Charleston Avenue East

    2035 ft · 39 sec · Charleston Avenue East

  17. 17

    Take the ramp slight right toward I-57 North: Champaign

    2575 ft · 1 min

  18. 18

    Merge slight left

    168.6 mi · 3 hr 6 min

  19. 19

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

    6.2 mi · 9 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward Canalport Avenue, Cermak Road

    1620 ft · 40 sec

  22. 22

    Turn slight left onto South Ruble Street

    74 m · 7 sec · South Ruble Street

  23. 23

    Turn slight left

    23 m · 5 sec

  24. 24

    Turn left onto South Canalport Avenue

    887 ft · 26 sec · South Canalport Avenue

  25. 25

    Turn left onto South Halsted Street

    737 ft · 19 sec · South Halsted Street

  26. 26

    Turn right onto West Cermak Road

    976 ft · 25 sec · West Cermak Road

  27. 27

    Turn left

    46 m · 11 sec

  28. 28

    Turn right

    794 ft · 58 sec

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Carmi and Chicago.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
29 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-57 North
169 mi · 56%
500E
24.3 mi · 8%
South Van Buren Street
11 mi · 4%
South Cross Street
8.63 mi · 3%
County Road 1100 East
6.73 mi · 2%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
6.18 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I-57 North

Merge slight left

169 mi · 03h 06m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 07m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+39.2 mi
261.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pesotum
02h 33m from Carmi
Leave By
6:44 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Carmi 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 Carmi to Chicago?

The road trip is about 300.3 miles (483.3 km) and usually takes 05h 07m 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?

Pesotum is a useful midpoint, sitting about 146.7 miles from Carmi and 153.6 miles from Chicago.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 261.1 miles (420.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.2 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 6:44 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.97 one way or $79.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 94.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Carmi and Mostly Sunny near Chicago.

Stop Ideas Near Pesotum

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Pesotum, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Pesotum.

RAIL

Illinois Terminal

23 mi away
45 East University Ave.
RAIL

Rantoul

45 mi away
West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.
RAIL

Mattoon station

49 mi away
1718 Broadway Ave.
BUS

Danville, Illinois

59 mi away
379 Lynch Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Carmi and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 261.12 mi (420.24 km).

Carmi

#1 Carmi

City in Illinois

Population4,740
Coordinates38.0908800, -88.1586500
Altitude120
CountryUnited States
Chicago

#2 Chicago

The third most populous city in the United States and the center of the Chicago metropolitan area.

Population2,677,643
Coordinates41.850033, -87.6500523
Altitude179
CountryUnited States
Start: East Main Street (-88.15867, 38.0909)
End: (-87.650099, 41.850032)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 483 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 00m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 30m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 00m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 00m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 17m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.6 gal
40.11 L · about $39.97
Round trip
$79.95
21.2 gal · 80.22 L
Estimated CO2
94.2 kg one way
Round trip: 188.4 kg / 415 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $39.97 $79.95
Mid-grade $4.25 $45.08 $90.16
Premium $4.65 $49.33 $98.66
Diesel $5.30 $56.22 $112.44

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

There is no time difference between Carmi and Chicago. The current time is 04:11:24.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.