Road Trip: Carol Stream to Cincinnati

Are you looking for an exciting road trip? If you're in Carol Stream, Illinois, why not take a drive to Cincinnati, Ohio? The two cities are approximately 290 miles apart, and there are a few different routes to take. Here are some options for your journey, along with some fun stops to make along the way.

Option 1: Straight Shot

One option is to take I-74 straight from Carol Stream to Cincinnati. This route will take you through cities like Bloomington-Normal, Peoria, and Champaign before entering Indiana, where you'll drive through cities like Indianapolis and Greensburg. From Greensburg, you'll enter Ohio and finally reach Cincinnati. This route is approximately 290 miles and should take around 5 hours to complete.

Pro Tip: If you want to stretch your legs along the way, stop in Indianapolis and check out the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Museum.

Option 2: The Scenic Route

Another option is to take the scenic route and drive through the heart of Illinois. Take IL-47 S to U.S. 36 E and drive through cities like Decatur, Tuscola, and Champaign. This route will take you through beautiful countryside and past small towns with plenty of character. From Champaign, you can connect to I-74 and follow that road to Cincinnati. This route is approximately 300 miles and should take around 5.5 hours.

Pro Tip: If you enjoy history, check out Abraham Lincoln's home in Springfield, Illinois along the way.

Option 3: Lake Michigan Tour

For a truly scenic route, consider driving along Lake Michigan. Take I-294 S to I-94 E and follow the shoreline of Lake Michigan. You'll drive through cities like Milwaukee and Racine before connecting to I-43 S and heading towards Rockford, Illinois. From there, you can connect to I-39 S/I-90 E and drive through cities like DeKalb and Rockford before connecting to I-88 E and heading towards the Chicago suburbs. From there, you can pick up I-294 S and connect to I-88 E towards Aurora before connecting to I-290 E towards Chicago. Finally, connect to I-90 E towards Ohio and follow that road through Cleveland before eventually reaching Cincinnati. This route is approximately 375 miles and should take around 7 hours.

Pro Tip: Stop in Milwaukee and check out the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Harley-Davidson Museum.

Whichever route you choose, make sure to take breaks and stretch your legs along the way. Safe travels, and have fun exploring the Midwest!