How far is Charleston, IL from Arlington Heights, IL?
The driving distance from Charleston, IL to Arlington Heights, IL is about 220 miles (354 km), with a travel time of about 03h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 179.4 miles (288.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 51m 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 25m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Iroquois County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charleston and Arlington Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charleston and Arlington Heights.
-
1
Start on Madison Avenue
146 m · 20 sec · Madison Avenue
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2
Turn left onto 4th Street
1.3 km · 2 min · 4th Street
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3
Turn right onto Lincoln Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · Lincoln Avenue
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4
Continue on Illinois Route 16
5.3 mi · 7 min · Illinois Route 16
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5
Continue on Charleston Avenue East
2035 ft · 39 sec · Charleston Avenue East
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward I-57 North: Champaign
2575 ft · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left
158.9 mi · 2 hr 53 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin
1718 ft · 33 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
1.8 mi · 3 min
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10
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
20.8 mi · 26 min · Tri-State Tollway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
10.3 mi · 13 min · Tri-State Tollway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 190 West, I 90: O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, Rockford, River Road
1071 ft · 26 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West Toll, I 90 East: Rockford, Chicago
1534 ft · 38 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 Toll West: Rockford
1.3 km · 2 min
-
15
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
929 ft · 12 sec · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
6.1 mi · 7 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward Arlington Heights Road
1803 ft · 44 sec
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18
Keep slight right
152 m · 12 sec
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19
Turn straight onto North Arlington Heights Road
647 ft · 15 sec · North Arlington Heights Road
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20
Continue on South Arlington Heights Road
3.1 mi · 6 min · South Arlington Heights Road
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21
Turn left onto East Euclid Avenue
15 m · 2 sec · East Euclid Avenue
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Euclid Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charleston and Arlington Heights.
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-57 North
Merge slight left
159 mi · 02h 53m
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.
Partly Cloudy leaving Charleston and 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 Charleston to Arlington Heights?
The road trip is about 220 miles (354 km) and usually takes 03h 25m 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?
Danforth is a useful midpoint, sitting about 106.1 miles from Charleston and 113.8 miles from Arlington Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 179.4 miles (288.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.6 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 10:08 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.26 one way or $58.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Charleston and Partly Sunny near Arlington Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Danforth
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 Danforth.
Gilman
Kankakee
Dwight station
Pontiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charleston and Arlington Heights. Straight-line distance: 179.4 mi (288.71 km).
#1 Charleston
City in Illinois
| Population | 20,034 |
| Coordinates | 39.4961500, -88.1761500 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| 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: 354 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.26 | $58.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.00 | $66.01 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $36.12 | $72.23 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $41.16 | $82.32 |
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 20, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.