How far is Chicago, IL from Carterville, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Carterville, IL is about 322.7 miles (519.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 292.5 miles (470.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 59m 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 05h 59m.
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 Douglas County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago and Carterville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Carterville.
-
1
Start on the route
943 ft · 1 min
-
2
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Cermak Road
947 ft · 26 sec · West Cermak Road
-
3
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
737 ft · 17 sec · South Halsted Street
-
4
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
87 m · 6 sec · South Canalport Avenue
-
5
Turn slight right
34 m · 5 sec
-
6
Take the ramp straight toward I 90 East, I 94 East
139 m · 11 sec
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 90, I 94 East: Indiana
929 ft · 23 sec
-
8
Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway
1.2 km · 48 sec · Dan Ryan Expressway
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
200.8 mi · 3 hr 41 min
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
65.7 mi · 1 hr 11 min
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
37.4 mi · 40 min · Ken Gray Expressway
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
1758 ft · 43 sec
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
2421 ft · 59 sec
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
913 ft · 22 sec
-
16
Merge slight left onto West Deyoung Street
3.4 mi · 4 min · West Deyoung Street
-
17
Continue on IL-13
3 mi · 4 min · IL-13
-
18
Turn right onto South Division Street
1 mi · 2 min · South Division Street
-
19
Turn left onto West Grand Avenue
11 m · 1 sec · West Grand Avenue
-
20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Grand Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Carterville.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 57 South
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
201 mi · 03h 41m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Carterville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Carterville?
The road trip is about 322.7 miles (519.4 km) and usually takes 05h 59m 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?
Arcola is a useful midpoint, sitting about 161.5 miles from Chicago and 161.2 miles from Carterville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 292.5 miles (470.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.2 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 5:00 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.95 one way or $85.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 101.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Carterville.
Stop Ideas Near Arcola
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 Arcola.
Mattoon station
Illinois Terminal
Effingham
Rantoul
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Carterville. Straight-line distance: 292.55 mi (470.82 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 Carterville
City in Williamson County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 5,834 |
| Coordinates | 37.7600500, -89.0773000 |
| Altitude | 138 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carterville (-89.0773, 37.76005)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 519 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $42.95 | $85.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $48.44 | $96.88 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $53.01 | $106.02 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $60.41 | $120.83 |
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.