How far is Carthage, IL from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance from Carthage, IL to Elgin, IL is about 62.4 miles (100.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 53.7 miles (86.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 36m 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 18m.
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.
Village in Illinois, US
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carthage and Elgin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carthage and Elgin.
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1
Start on East Flagg Road
1 km · 2 min · East Flagg Road
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2
Turn left onto South Daysville Road
6.6 mi · 12 min · South Daysville Road
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3
Turn right onto East Washington Street
31.9 mi · 45 min · East Washington Street
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4
Turn left onto North Peace Road
2.8 mi · 5 min · North Peace Road
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5
Continue on Plank Road
16.7 mi · 27 min · Plank Road
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6
Turn right onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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7
Continue on Martin Luther King Junior Memorial Highway
3148 ft · 51 sec · Martin Luther King Junior Memorial Highway
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8
Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
1260 ft · 20 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
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9
Take the exit slight left toward Larkin Avenue
2317 ft · 59 sec
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10
Continue on Larkin Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · Larkin Avenue
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11
Continue on West Highland Avenue
2931 ft · 1 min · West Highland Avenue
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12
Turn right onto North State Street
100 m · 16 sec · North State Street
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13
Turn left onto East Chicago Street
1719 ft · 55 sec · East Chicago Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Chicago Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carthage and Elgin.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
East Washington Street
Turn right onto East Washington Street
31.9 mi · 00h 45m
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 Mostly Cloudy near Elgin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carthage to Elgin?
The road trip is about 62.4 miles (100.5 km) and usually takes 01h 18m 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?
Malta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 31.8 miles from Carthage and 30.7 miles from Elgin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 53.7 miles (86.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:54 PM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.14 one way or $20.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Carthage and Mostly Cloudy near Elgin.
Stop Ideas Near Malta
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 Malta.
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Plano
Mendota station
Naperville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carthage and Elgin. Straight-line distance: 53.66 mi (86.36 km).
#1 Carthage
Carthage is a place in Illinois, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 41.9189200, -89.3137100 |
| Altitude | 241 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elgin
The second most populous city in Kane County, Illinois.
| Population | 110,196 |
| Coordinates | 42.0372500, -88.2811900 |
| Altitude | 227 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Chicago Street (-88.281194, 42.037244)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 101 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.61 | $10.14 | $20.27 |
| Mid-grade | $5.24 | $11.53 | $23.06 |
| Premium | $5.79 | $12.75 | $25.49 |
| Diesel | $6.59 | $14.50 | $29.00 |
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