How far is Decatur, IL from Carol Stream, IL?
The driving distance from Decatur, IL to Carol Stream, IL is about 179.1 miles (288.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 149.4 miles (240.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 10m 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 35m.
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 Livingston 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 Decatur and Carol Stream.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur and Carol Stream.
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1
Start on East Wood Street
155 m · 23 sec · East Wood Street
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2
Turn left onto South Franklin Street
2129 ft · 46 sec · South Franklin Street
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3
Continue on North Water Street
27.4 mi · 37 min · North Water Street
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4
Continue on North 1450 East Road
14.7 mi · 18 min · North 1450 East Road
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford
113.8 mi · 2 hr 5 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs
2797 ft · 1 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 355 North: Northwest Suburbs
1.2 mi · 3 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
14.4 mi · 18 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward IL 64: North Avenue
2249 ft · 55 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on IL 64: Glendale Heights, Carol Stream
103 m · 10 sec
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11
Turn left onto North Avenue
5.4 mi · 10 min · North Avenue
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12
Turn right onto Kuhn Road
2294 ft · 59 sec · Kuhn Road
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13
Turn right onto Thunderbird Trail
62 m · 11 sec · Thunderbird Trail
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14
Turn right onto Aztec Drive
49 m · 8 sec · Aztec Drive
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15
Turn left onto West Thunderbird Trail
1243 ft · 55 sec · West Thunderbird Trail
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Thunderbird Trail
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Decatur and Carol Stream.
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 74 West
Take the exit slight right toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford
114 mi · 02h 05m
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.
Sunny leaving Decatur and Mostly Sunny near Carol Stream.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Decatur to Carol Stream?
The road trip is about 179.1 miles (288.3 km) and usually takes 03h 35m 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?
Rooks Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.6 miles from Decatur and 89.5 miles from Carol Stream.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 149.4 miles (240.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:50 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.83 one way or $47.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Decatur and Mostly Sunny near Carol Stream.
Stop Ideas Near Rooks 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 Rooks Creek.
Pontiac station
Dwight station
Uptown Station
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Decatur and Carol Stream. Straight-line distance: 149.45 mi (240.51 km).
#1 Decatur
The most populous city in Macon County, Illinois.
| Population | 70,007 |
| Coordinates | 39.8403100, -88.9548000 |
| Altitude | 205 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Carol Stream
Town
| Population | 38,821 |
| Coordinates | 41.9125300, -88.1347900 |
| Altitude | 231 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carol Stream (-88.13479, 41.91253)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 288 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.83 | $47.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.88 | $53.76 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.41 | $58.83 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.52 | $67.04 |
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.