How far is Carol Stream, IL from Arlington Heights, IL?
The driving distance from Carol Stream, IL to Arlington Heights, IL is about 21.3 miles (34.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 14.5 miles (23.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 31m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Village in Illinois, U.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Frost then Partly Sunny
Patchy Frost then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carol Stream and Arlington Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carol Stream and Arlington Heights.
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1
Start on West Thunderbird Trail
1243 ft · 55 sec · West Thunderbird Trail
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Aztec Drive
49 m · 12 sec · Aztec Drive
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3
Turn left onto Thunderbird Trail
62 m · 14 sec · Thunderbird Trail
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4
Turn left onto Kuhn Road
2294 ft · 59 sec · Kuhn Road
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5
Turn left onto North Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · North Avenue
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6
Continue on East North Avenue
4.3 mi · 8 min · East North Avenue
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7
Turn left onto I 355 Toll North: Northwest Suburbs
2199 ft · 54 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
4 mi · 5 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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9
Merge slight left
5.6 mi · 7 min
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10
Keep slight left
2.7 mi · 4 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward East Euclid Avenue, Third District, Circuit Court
1856 ft · 45 sec
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12
Turn slight right onto Euclid Avenue
2.5 mi · 6 min · Euclid Avenue
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Euclid Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carol Stream and Arlington Heights.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Veterans Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left
5.58 mi · 00h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Areas Of Frost then Partly Sunny leaving Carol Stream and Patchy Frost then Partly Sunny near Arlington Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carol Stream to Arlington Heights?
The road trip is about 21.3 miles (34.2 km) and usually takes 00h 31m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Itasca is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.8 miles from Carol Stream and 10.4 miles from Arlington Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 14.5 miles (23.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.8 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:26 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.83 one way or $5.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Areas Of Frost then Partly Sunny around Carol Stream and Patchy Frost then Partly Sunny near Arlington Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Itasca
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 Itasca.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Naperville
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carol Stream and Arlington Heights. Straight-line distance: 14.5 mi (23.34 km).
#1 Carol Stream
Town
| Population | 38,821 |
| Coordinates | 41.9125300, -88.1347900 |
| Altitude | 231 |
| 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: 34 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.83 | $5.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.19 | $6.38 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.49 | $6.98 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $3.98 | $7.96 |
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 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.