How far is Chicago, IL from Carmi, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Carmi, IL is about 293.5 miles (472.3 km), with a travel time of about 06h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 261.1 miles (420.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 14m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 07m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Champaign County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago and Carmi.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Carmi.
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1
Start on the route
943 ft · 1 min
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Cermak Road
947 ft · 26 sec · West Cermak Road
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3
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
737 ft · 17 sec · South Halsted Street
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4
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
87 m · 6 sec · South Canalport Avenue
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5
Turn slight right
34 m · 5 sec
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6
Take the ramp straight toward I 90 East, I 94 East
139 m · 11 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 90, I 94 East: Indiana
929 ft · 23 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway
1.2 km · 48 sec · Dan Ryan Expressway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
168.9 mi · 3 hr 6 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward IL 16 East: Charleston
1676 ft · 47 sec
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12
Turn straight onto Charleston Avenue East
1.2 km · 1 min · Charleston Avenue East
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13
Continue on Illinois Route 16
6 mi · 8 min · Illinois Route 16
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14
Continue on West Lincoln Avenue
1.8 mi · 3 min · West Lincoln Avenue
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15
Turn right onto 18th Street
1.6 mi · 2 min · 18th Street
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16
Continue on Illinois Route 130
1.2 km · 1 min · Illinois Route 130
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17
Continue on Route 130
10 mi · 15 min · Route 130
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18
Continue on County Road 1825 East
2 mi · 3 min · County Road 1825 East
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19
Continue on County Road 1775 E
1.3 km · 1 min · County Road 1775 E
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20
Continue on North Haughton Highway
1945 ft · 33 sec · North Haughton Highway
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21
Continue on 1700E
1.3 mi · 2 min · 1700E
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22
Continue on North Haughton Highway
4 mi · 6 min · North Haughton Highway
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23
Continue on County Road 1700E
2.1 mi · 3 min · County Road 1700E
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24
Continue on North 1250th Street
13.3 mi · 20 min · North 1250th Street
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25
Turn left onto South Van Buren Street
11 mi · 15 min · South Van Buren Street
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26
Continue on County Road 1100 East
6.7 mi · 9 min · County Road 1100 East
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27
Continue on North West Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · North West Street
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28
Continue on County Road 1150
24.3 mi · 33 min · County Road 1150
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29
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
1742 ft · 32 sec · East Walnut Street
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30
Turn right onto South 1st Street
2614 ft · 44 sec · South 1st Street
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31
Continue on 575E
1.8 mi · 3 min · 575E
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32
Continue on 700E
1.4 mi · 2 min · 700E
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33
Continue on 725E
4.3 mi · 6 min · 725E
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34
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Court Street
3 mi · 4 min · North Court Street
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35
Continue on South Cross Street
8.6 mi · 13 min · South Cross Street
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36
Continue on East Main Street
4.5 mi · 7 min · East Main Street
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37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Carmi.
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 South
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
169 mi · 03h 06m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Sunny near Carmi.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Carmi?
The road trip is about 293.5 miles (472.3 km) and usually takes 06h 07m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Pesotum is a useful midpoint, sitting about 146.8 miles from Chicago and 146.6 miles from Carmi.
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 32.4 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.07 one way or $78.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 92.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chicago and Sunny near Carmi.
Stop Ideas Near Pesotum
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 Pesotum.
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Mattoon station
Danville, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Carmi. Straight-line distance: 261.12 mi (420.24 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Carmi
City in Illinois
| Population | 4,740 |
| Coordinates | 38.0908800, -88.1586500 |
| Altitude | 120 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carmi (-88.15865, 38.09088)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 472 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.07 | $78.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.06 | $88.12 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $48.22 | $96.43 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $54.95 | $109.90 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.