How far is Elgin, IL from Carthage, IL?
The driving distance from Elgin, IL to Carthage, IL is about 63.8 miles (102.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 53.7 miles (86.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 19m 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 01h 39m.
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.
Village in Illinois, US
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elgin and Carthage.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elgin and Carthage.
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1
Start on East Chicago Street
10 m · 8 sec · East Chicago Street
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2
Turn left onto Center Street
100 m · 13 sec · Center Street
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3
Turn left onto East Highland Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · East Highland Avenue
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4
Continue on Larkin Avenue
1.6 mi · 4 min · Larkin Avenue
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5
Take the ramp straight
2474 ft · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
110 m · 6 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
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7
Continue on Martin Luther King Junior Memorial Highway
1.2 km · 1 min · Martin Luther King Junior Memorial Highway
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8
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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9
Turn left onto Plank Road
16.7 mi · 27 min · Plank Road
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10
Continue on West Peace Road
2.8 mi · 5 min · West Peace Road
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11
Turn right
31.9 mi · 45 min
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12
Turn left onto South Daysville Road
6.6 mi · 11 min · South Daysville Road
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13
Turn right onto East Flagg Road
1 km · 2 min · East Flagg Road
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Flagg Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elgin 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.
Longest stretch
Turn right
31.9 mi · 00h 45m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Elgin 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 Elgin to Carthage?
The road trip is about 63.8 miles (102.6 km) and usually takes 01h 39m 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?
Malta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 31.8 miles from Elgin and 31.9 miles from Carthage.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 53.7 miles (86.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.1 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 3:10 PM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.37 one way or $20.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 20 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Elgin and Mostly Cloudy near Carthage.
Stop Ideas Near Malta
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 Malta.
Rockford, Illinois
Plano
Mendota station
Naperville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elgin and Carthage. Straight-line distance: 53.66 mi (86.36 km).
#1 Elgin
The second most populous city in Kane County, Illinois.
| Population | 110,196 |
| Coordinates | 42.0372500, -88.2811900 |
| Altitude | 227 |
| 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: 103 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.61 | $10.37 | $20.73 |
| Mid-grade | $5.24 | $11.79 | $23.58 |
| Premium | $5.79 | $13.04 | $26.07 |
| Diesel | $6.59 | $14.83 | $29.66 |
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