How far is Chicago, IL from Carthage, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Carthage, IL is about 96.5 miles (155.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 85.7 miles (137.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 20m 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 02h 10m.
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.
Chance Drizzle
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago and Carthage.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Carthage.
-
1
Start on the route
943 ft · 1 min
-
2
At the end of the road, turn left onto West Cermak Road
1.3 km · 2 min · West Cermak Road
-
3
Turn right onto South Ashland Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Ashland Avenue
-
4
Turn left onto West Van Buren Street
900 ft · 29 sec · West Van Buren Street
-
5
Take the ramp slight left toward I 290 West
650 ft · 16 sec
-
6
Merge slight left onto Eisenhower Expressway
12.1 mi · 16 min · Eisenhower Expressway
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
25.1 mi · 30 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
37.4 mi · 40 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward IL 251: Rochelle, Mendota
2006 ft · 49 sec
-
11
Turn right
1.4 mi · 2 min
-
12
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
103 m · 10 sec · 4th Avenue
-
13
Turn right onto North 6th Street
120 m · 9 sec · North 6th Street
-
14
Turn right onto Lincoln Avenue
8 mi · 13 min · Lincoln Avenue
-
15
Turn right onto South Chana Road
1.8 mi · 4 min · South Chana Road
-
16
Turn left onto East Flagg Road
5.4 mi · 13 min · East Flagg Road
-
17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Flagg Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Carthage.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
37.4 mi · 00h 40m
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.
Chance Drizzle leaving Chicago and Mostly Cloudy near Carthage.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Carthage?
The road trip is about 96.5 miles (155.3 km) and usually takes 02h 10m 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 48.2 miles from Chicago and 48.3 miles from Carthage.
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 10.8 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 2:10 PM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.71 one way or $31.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Drizzle around Chicago and Mostly Cloudy near Carthage.
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 Chicago and Carthage. Straight-line distance: 85.71 mi (137.93 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 Carthage
Carthage is a place in Illinois, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 41.9189200, -89.3137100 |
| Altitude | 241 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carthage (-89.31371, 41.91892)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 155 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.61 | $15.71 | $31.42 |
| Mid-grade | $5.24 | $17.87 | $35.74 |
| Premium | $5.79 | $19.76 | $39.52 |
| Diesel | $6.59 | $22.48 | $44.96 |
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