Origin
Mount Carmel, IL
Late night in Mount Carmel on Friday
Local time
4:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mount Carmel, IL to Elmhurst, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 4m
Distance
292.3 mi
470 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 52m
★
6 AM
6h 5m
8 AM
6h 30m
10 AM
6h 14m
12 PM
6h 11m
3 PM
6h 15m
5 PM
6h 29m
8 PM
5h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mount Carmel, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Elmhurst, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Mount Carmel, IL to Elmhurst, IL covers 292.3 miles and takes about 6h 4m 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 $45.70 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
146.1 miles from Mount Carmel, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 17m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 4m. Total distance: 292.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 4m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 4m highway drive covering 292.3 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 31 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
826 ft
448 ft
Total Climb
696 ft
Total Descent
456 ft
Highest Point
826 ft
~250.5 mi in
Elevation Range
378 ft
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 264.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 292.3 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 264.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 265.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 287.8 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
264.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 26m 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
265.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 27m 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
6
287.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 56m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
288.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 57m in
Take the exit toward IL 38 West: Roosevelt Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 30B
Toward IL 38 West: Roosevelt Road
6
289.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 58m in
Take the exit toward North York Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward North York Road
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Mount Carmel, IL to Elmhurst, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Wisconsin along the way.
Wisconsin
264.9 mi in
|
~5h 26m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 158.9 mi | 2h 52m |
| IL 33 | 36.3 mi | 53m |
| 500E | 24 mi | 32m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 21.7 mi | 26m |
| South Van Buren Street | 11 mi | 15m |
| State Route 15 | 10.6 mi | 15m |
| 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 Mount Carmel, IL and Elmhurst, IL.
1
Start on East 5th Street
74 ft
·
5 sec
·
East 5th Street
2
Turn right onto North Market Street
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
North Market Street
3
Turn left onto IL 1
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East 9th Street
4
Continue on IL 15
11 mi
·
15 min
·
State Route 15
5
Continue on IL 15
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
Main Street
6
Continue on IL 15
0.6 mi
·
49 sec
·
920N
7
Continue on IL 15
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
910N
8
Continue on IL 15
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
900N
9
Continue on IL 15
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
East Elm Street
10
Turn right onto IL 130
24 mi
·
32 min
·
500E
11
Continue on IL 130; IL 250
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
South West Street
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on IL 130
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
County Road 1100 East
13
Continue on IL 130
11 mi
·
15 min
·
South Van Buren Street
14
Turn right onto IL 33; IL 130
36 mi
·
53 min
·
IL 33; IL 130
15
Turn left onto IL 16
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Lincoln Avenue
16
Continue on IL 16
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Illinois Route 16
17
Continue on IL 16
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Charleston Avenue East
18
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
19
Merge onto I 57
159 mi
·
2 hr 52 min
·
I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
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.
21
Keep slight right at fork
1.8 mi
·
3 min
Exit 349
Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Merge onto I 294
21 mi
·
25 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 30B
Toward IL 38 West: Roosevelt Road
Use the right lane.
25
Merge onto IL 38
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
·
Roosevelt Road
Use the right lane.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward North York Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn right onto South York Road
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
South York Road
28
Continue on South York Street
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
South York Street
29
Turn left onto West Park Avenue
38 ft
·
3 sec
·
West Park Avenue
30
Turn slight right
65 ft
·
4 sec
31
Arrive at destination
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 146.1 miles from Mount Carmel, IL, or about 3h 17m 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 64 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.1 miles or 3h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elmhurst, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mount Carmel, 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 Mount Carmel, IL
This is one driving day of about 292.3 miles and 6h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Mount Carmel, 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 146.1 mi from Mount Carmel, IL · 3h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
146 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 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 146.1 miles from Mount Carmel, 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 Elmhurst, IL
The final approach into Elmhurst, 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 Elmhurst, 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
$45.70 one way
$91.40 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
102 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $50.17 | $100.35 |
| premium | $4.89 | $56.25 | $112.50 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $64.54 | $129.07 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.30
Tri-state Tollway
(21.7 mi)
$1.30
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
$46
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 87.7 | 1 | $30.69 | $14.03 |
| Efficient EV | 73.1 | 0 | $25.58 | $11.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 116.9 | 1 | $40.92 | $18.71 |
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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
Elmhurst, IL
Late night in Elmhurst on Friday
Local time
4:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 to 15 mph
39% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 4m 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 Mount Carmel, IL to Elmhurst, IL covers 292.3 miles and takes about 6h 4m 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 146.1 miles from Mount Carmel, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.70 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 15 significant decision points across 292.3 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 264.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 265.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 287.8 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Mount Carmel, IL to Elmhurst, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Wisconsin along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 448 ft to 826 ft elevation with about 696 ft of total climbing.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Elevation is sampled from USGS 3DEP. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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