Origin
Mount Carmel, IL
Afternoon in Mount Carmel on Saturday
Local time
3:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mount Carmel, IL to Arlington Heights, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 26m
Distance
309.3 mi
498 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 14m
★
6 AM
6h 27m
8 AM
6h 52m
10 AM
6h 36m
12 PM
6h 33m
3 PM
6h 37m
5 PM
6h 50m
8 PM
6h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mount Carmel, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Arlington Heights, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Mount Carmel, IL to Arlington Heights, IL covers 309.3 miles and takes about 6h 26m 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, Tri-State Tollway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 158.9 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.36 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
154.7 miles from Mount Carmel, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 27m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 158.9 mi | 2h 52m |
| IL 33 | 36.3 mi | 53m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 31.1 mi | 39m |
| 500E | 24 mi | 32m |
| South Van Buren Street | 11 mi | 15m |
| State Route 15 | 10.6 mi | 15m |
| County Road 1100 East | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Jane Addams Memorial Tollway | 6.3 mi | 6m |
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 Arlington Heights, 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
10 mi
·
13 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 40
Toward I 190 West, I 90: O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, Rockford, River Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 90 West Toll, I 90 East: Rockford, Chicago
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 Toll West: Rockford
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto I 90
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 70
Toward Arlington Heights Road
Use the slight right lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork
498 ft
·
12 sec
Use the right lane.
31
Turn straight onto North Arlington Heights Road
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
North Arlington Heights Road
32
Continue on South Arlington Heights Road
3.1 mi
·
6 min
·
South Arlington Heights Road
Use the left lane.
33
Turn left onto East Euclid Avenue
48 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Euclid Avenue
34
Arrive at destination
East Euclid Avenue
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 154.7 miles from Mount Carmel, IL, or about 3h 27m 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 68 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.7 miles or 3h 27m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington Heights, 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 309.3 miles and 6h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
155 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 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 154.7 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 264.9 and 298.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
8
298.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 190 West, I 90: O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, Rockford, River Road
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 40
Toward I 190 West, I 90: O'Hare International A...
7
298.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 West Toll, I 90 East: Rockford, Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 West Toll, I 90 East: Rockford, Chi...
7
298.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 Toll West: Rockford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 Toll West: Rockford
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.36 one way
$96.71 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
108 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $53.09 | $106.18 |
| premium | $4.89 | $59.52 | $119.04 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $68.29 | $136.58 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.30
Tri-state Tollway
(31.1 mi)
$1.87
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(6.1 mi)
$0.43
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
$48
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 92.8 | 1 | $32.48 | $14.85 |
| Efficient EV | 77.3 | 0 | $27.06 | $12.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 123.7 | 1 | $43.30 | $19.80 |
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
Arlington Heights, IL
Afternoon in Arlington Heights on Saturday
Local time
3:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
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
24 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 26m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
309.3 mi in 6h 26m, mostly highway — 158.9 mi of that is on I 57.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 158.9 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 309.3 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 298.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
772 ft
447 ft
Total Climb
523 ft
Total Descent
269 ft
Highest Point
772 ft
~176.8 mi in
Elevation Range
325 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Arlington Heights, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Wisconsin along the way.
Wisconsin
264.9 mi in
|
~5h 26m
About the Cities
Starting in Mount Carmel, IL
Full guide →Founded 1815
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 26m. Total distance: 309.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 26m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 158.9 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.30 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Arlington Heights, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 298.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Arlington Heights, IL before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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