Outdoor
Go Karting in Illinois
Feel the adrenaline rush at Illinois's top karting venues.
Illinois offers a tale of two cities and two distinct styles of racing. In the south (serving St. Louis), the Gateway Kartplex provides a professional open-wheel experience inside an IndyCar oval. Up north in the Chicago metro, the scene is split between the "country club" outdoor experience at Autobahn and a massive network of indoor electric tracks that keep the racing alive during the windy winters.
The undisputed king of high-speed thrills is the Gateway Kartplex in Madison (just across the river from St. Louis). Located inside the World Wide Technology Raceway (home to NASCAR/IndyCar), this CIK-approved facility runs Sodi GT5 gas karts that hit 55 mph. It is a true driver's track with 11 turns and significant G-forces, often serving as a ladder system for professional racers.
In the Chicago area, the premier outdoor destination is Kart Circuit Autobahn in Joliet. Situated within the prestigious Autobahn Country Club, this 0.52-mile track is open to the public for "Arrive & Drive" rentals. It offers a rare opportunity to race on a pro-grade circuit that is usually reserved for members, using high-performance gas karts.
For indoor racing, K1 Speed dominates the Chicago suburbs with locations in Addison, Buffalo Grove, and the newly acquired/rebranded Mokena location (formerly Accelerate/Autobahn Indoor). These facilities offer consistent, climate-controlled racing with high-torque electric karts, perfect for the state's unpredictable weather.
Historic & Hardcore: Concept Haulers Motor Speedway in Sheridan is a legendary spot for purists. It is an old-school, historic track that hosts major regional competitions and offers 50mph gas rentals on a grippy, rubbered-in surface.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
11 kart tracks
Outdoor
Outdoor
Outdoor
Indoor
Outdoor
Indoor
Indoor
Indoor
Indoor
Indoor
Outdoor
Outdoor
Kart Circuit Autobahn
Joliet, Illinois
Outdoor
Gateway Kartplex
Madison, Illinois
Outdoor
Norway Motorsports Park
Sheridan, Illinois
Indoor
The Edge Karting
Belleville, Illinois
Outdoor
Mid-State Kart Club
Dawson, Illinois
Indoor
Astro Fun World Aurora
Aurora, Illinois
Indoor
K1 Speed Addison
Addison, Illinois
Indoor
K1 Speed Buffalo Grove
Buffalo Grove, Illinois
Indoor
K1 Speed Mokena
Mokena, Illinois
Indoor
Scene75 Entertainment Center Chicagoland
Romeoville, Illinois
Outdoor
Sugar Grove Family Fun Center
Sugar Grove, Illinois
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Go karting in Illinois - FAQs
Common questions about karting in Illinois.
The Accelerate Indoor Speedway location in Mokena has been acquired and rebranded as K1 Speed Mokena. It remains a karting facility but now operates under the K1 Speed banner with their electric karts.
Yes. While the main road courses are for members, the Kart Circuit Autobahn is open to the public for "Arrive & Drive" rentals. However, availability can vary based on private events, so checking the schedule is recommended.
Scene75 Entertainment Center is located in Romeoville. It features an indoor electric go-kart track alongside other attractions like laser tag and arcades, serving as a family-friendly alternative to the dedicated racing centers.