Origin
Carmi, IL
Afternoon in Carmi on Monday
Local time
4:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carmi, IL to Elk Grove, IL
Drive Time
6h 29m
Distance
307.6 mi
495 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 17m
★
6 AM
6h 29m
8 AM
6h 54m
10 AM
6h 38m
12 PM
6h 35m
3 PM
6h 39m
5 PM
6h 52m
8 PM
6h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carmi, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Elk Grove, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Carmi, IL to Elk Grove, IL covers 307.6 miles and takes about 6h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 57, IL 33, 500E for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 158.9 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.72 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
153.8 miles from Carmi, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 29m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 6h 29m highway drive covering 307.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and IL 33. The longest continuous stretch is about 158.9 miles on I 57.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 158.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and IL 33. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 272.9 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 307.6 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 272.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 273.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 297 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
272.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 38m in
Take the exit toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 349-350
Toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevar...
8
273.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 349
Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
8
297 mi into trip
|
~6h 9m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Take the exit onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 31
Toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Roc...
8
300.9 mi into trip
|
~6h 16m in
|
US 20
Take the exit onto US 20 toward US 20 West, IL 64 West: Lake Street, York Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 12
Toward US 20 West, IL 64 West: Lake Street, Yor...
8
301 mi into trip
|
~6h 16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward York Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward York Road
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Carmi, IL to Elk Grove, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Wisconsin along the way.
Wisconsin
272.9 mi in
|
~5h 38m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 158.9 mi | 2h 52m |
| IL 33 | 36.3 mi | 53m |
| 500E | 24.3 mi | 33m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 22.9 mi | 28m |
| South Van Buren Street | 11 mi | 15m |
| South Cross Street | 8.6 mi | 12m |
| County Road 1100 East | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Illinois Route 16 | 5.3 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 158.9 mi, about 2h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carmi, IL and Elk Grove, IL.
1
Start on IL 1; IL 14
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
East Main Street
2
Continue on IL 1; IL 14
8.6 mi
·
12 min
·
South Cross Street
3
Continue on IL 1
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
South Court Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto IL 130
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Hagedorn Road
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on IL 130
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
700E
6
Turn straight onto IL 130
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
575E
7
Continue on IL 130
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
South 1st Street
8
Turn left onto IL 130
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
East Walnut Street
9
Turn right onto IL 130
24 mi
·
33 min
·
500E
10
Continue on IL 130; IL 250
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
South West Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on IL 130
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
County Road 1100 East
12
Continue on IL 130
11 mi
·
15 min
·
South Van Buren Street
13
Turn right onto IL 33; IL 130
36 mi
·
53 min
·
IL 33; IL 130
14
Turn left onto IL 16
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Lincoln Avenue
15
Continue on IL 16
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Illinois Route 16
16
Continue on IL 16
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Charleston Avenue East
17
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
18
Merge onto I 57
159 mi
·
2 hr 52 min
·
I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 349-350
Toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
1.8 mi
·
3 min
Exit 349
Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
21
Merge onto I 294
21 mi
·
25 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit onto I 294
321 ft
·
7 sec
·
Tri-State Tollway
Exit 31
Toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Exit 31
Toward I 290 West, I 294 North: Rockford, Milwaukee
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 290 West: Rockford
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward Saint Charles Road West
27
Merge onto I 290
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
I 290
28
Take the exit onto US 20
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
US 20
Exit 12
Toward US 20 West, IL 64 West: Lake Street, York Road
Use the right lane.
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward York Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn left onto North York Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North York Street
31
Continue on South York Road
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
South York Road
Use the left lane.
32
Continue on South Elmhurst Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Elmhurst Road
33
Continue on South Elmhurst Road
521 ft
·
26 sec
·
South Elmhurst Road
Use the left lane.
34
Arrive at destination
South Elmhurst Road
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 153.8 miles from Carmi, IL, or about 3h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 158.9 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.8 miles or 3h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elk Grove, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Carmi, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Carmi, IL
This is one driving day of about 307.6 miles and 6h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Carmi, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 158.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 153.8 mi from Carmi, IL · 3h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
154 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 153.8 miles from Carmi, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 158.9 miles.
Arriving in Elk Grove, IL
The final approach into Elk Grove, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Elk Grove, IL.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.72 one way
$93.44 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
108 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $51.50 | $103.01 |
| premium | $4.80 | $58.07 | $116.14 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $68.34 | $136.68 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.37
Tri-state Tollway
(22.9 mi)
$1.37
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 92.3 | 1 | $32.30 | $14.76 |
| Efficient EV | 76.9 | 0 | $26.92 | $12.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 123 | 1 | $43.06 | $19.69 |
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Elk Grove, IL
Afternoon in Elk Grove on Monday
Local time
4:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Cloudy
WSW 15 mph
5% chance
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
6h 29m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Carmi, IL to Elk Grove, IL covers 307.6 miles and takes about 6h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, IL 33, 500E. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 153.8 miles from Carmi, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.72 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 307.6 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 272.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 273.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 297 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Carmi, IL to Elk Grove, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Wisconsin along the way.
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