How far is Carthage, IL from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Carthage, IL to Chicago, IL is about 95.7 miles (154 km), with a travel time of about 01h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 85.7 miles (137.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 50m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Lee County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Chance Drizzle
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carthage and Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carthage and Chicago.
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1
Start on East Flagg Road
5.4 mi · 13 min · East Flagg Road
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2
Turn right onto South Chana Road
1.8 mi · 4 min · South Chana Road
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Lincoln Avenue
7.9 mi · 13 min · Lincoln Avenue
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4
Turn left onto 8th Street
122 m · 11 sec · 8th Street
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5
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
81 m · 5 sec · 4th Avenue
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6
Turn right
1.7 mi · 3 min
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7
Turn left
2198 ft · 54 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
58.3 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
6 mi · 8 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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10
Merge slight right onto Eisenhower Expressway
13.2 mi · 18 min · Eisenhower Expressway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana, Taylor Street, Roosevelt Road
616 ft · 15 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana
1203 ft · 29 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway
1.2 km · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward 18th Street
1398 ft · 34 sec
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15
Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue
963 ft · 30 sec · South Union Avenue
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16
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
154 m · 13 sec · South Canalport Avenue
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17
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
737 ft · 19 sec · South Halsted Street
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18
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
976 ft · 25 sec · West Cermak Road
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19
Turn left
46 m · 11 sec
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20
Turn right
794 ft · 58 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carthage and Chicago.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
58.3 mi · 01h 06m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Carthage and Chance Drizzle near Chicago.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carthage to Chicago?
The road trip is about 95.7 miles (154 km) and usually takes 01h 50m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Willow Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.3 miles from Carthage and 47.3 miles from Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 85.7 miles (137.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 10 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:50 PM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.57 one way or $31.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Carthage and Chance Drizzle near Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Willow Creek
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 Willow Creek.
Plano
Naperville
Joliet Transportation Center
La Grange Road
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carthage and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 85.71 mi (137.93 km).
#1 Carthage
Carthage is a place in Illinois, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 41.9189200, -89.3137100 |
| Altitude | 241 |
| 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: 154 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.61 | $15.57 | $31.14 |
| Mid-grade | $5.24 | $17.71 | $35.42 |
| Premium | $5.79 | $19.58 | $39.17 |
| Diesel | $6.59 | $22.28 | $44.56 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026