How far is Catlin, IL from Des Plaines, IL?

The driving distance from Catlin, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 165.3 miles (266.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 136.3 miles (219.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
165.35 mi
03h 00m
Flight
136.33 mi
219.4 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Catlin.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
136.33 mi
Kilometers
219.4 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
165.35 mi
Kilometers
266.1 km
Drive Time
03h 00m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 03h 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Des Plaines
Thu, Apr 23, 6:59 AM CDT
Return by in Catlin
Thu, Apr 23, 9:59 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Catlin
2026-04-23T03:58
Arrive Des Plaines
Thu, Apr 23, 6:59 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:30 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Catlin
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Ashkum
IL

Township in Iroquois County, Illinois

From Catlin
93 mi
01h 30m
To Des Plaines
72.3 mi
01h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 24 mph S
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Catlin and Des Plaines.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Catlin and Des Plaines.

  1. 1

    Start on East Vermilion Street

    107 m · 15 sec · East Vermilion Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Paris Street

    1533 ft · 42 sec · North Paris Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Catlin Tilton Road

    3.1 mi · 8 min · Catlin Tilton Road

  4. 4

    Continue on West 5th Street

    2559 ft · 1 min · West 5th Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto North G Street

    1334 ft · 42 sec · North G Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto 1st Street

    42 m · 4 sec · 1st Street

  7. 7

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 74 West: Champaign

    961 ft · 12 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    31.8 mi · 35 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit straight toward Neil Street

    1391 ft · 34 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on North Neil Street

    752 ft · 26 sec · North Neil Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto East Marketview Drive

    1336 ft · 38 sec · East Marketview Drive

  12. 12

    At the end of the road, turn left onto North Market Street

    3 mi · 4 min · North Market Street

  13. 13

    Take the ramp right toward I-57 North: Kankakee

    1642 ft · 40 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    108.1 mi · 1 hr 58 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin

    1718 ft · 33 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin

    1.8 mi · 3 min

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    20.8 mi · 26 min · Tri-State Tollway

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue

    635 ft · 16 sec

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue

    2694 ft · 1 min

  21. 21

    Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West

    688 ft · 17 sec

  22. 22

    Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West

    1799 ft · 44 sec

  23. 23

    Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue

    99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue

  24. 24

    Turn slight right

    103 m · 9 sec

  25. 25

    Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road

    1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road

  26. 26

    Turn left onto Henry Avenue

    557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Catlin and Des Plaines.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
27 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-57 North
108 mi · 66%
Tri-State Tollway
32.5 mi · 20%
I 74 West
32 mi · 19%
Catlin Tilton Road
3.15 mi · 2%
North Market Street
2.99 mi · 2%
I 294 Toll North
1.78 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I-57 North

Merge slight left

108 mi · 01h 58m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
03h 00m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
06h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+29 mi
136.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ashkum
01h 30m from Catlin
Leave By
12:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Catlin and Mostly Sunny near Des Plaines.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Catlin to Des Plaines?

The road trip is about 165.3 miles (266.1 km) and usually takes 03h 00m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Ashkum is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93 miles from Catlin and 72.3 miles from Des Plaines.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 136.3 miles (219.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 29 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:30 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.02 one way or $44.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Catlin and Mostly Sunny near Des Plaines.

Stop Ideas Near Ashkum

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Ashkum, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Ashkum.

RAIL

Gilman

14 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.
RAIL

Kankakee

28 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Dwight station

46 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Pontiac station

57 mi away
721 West Washington St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Catlin and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 136.33 mi (219.4 km).

Catlin

#1 Catlin

Village in Vermilion County, Illinois

Population1,899
Coordinates40.0650400, -87.7019700
Altitude201
CountryUnited States
Des Plaines

#2 Des Plaines

The most populous city in Cook County, Illinois.

Population58,179
Coordinates42.0333600, -87.8834000
Altitude193
CountryUnited States
Start: East Vermilion Street (-87.701969, 40.065106)
End: Henry Avenue (-87.883408, 42.033456)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 266 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 18m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 21m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 03m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.84 gal
22.09 L · about $22.02
Round trip
$44.05
11.68 gal · 44.18 L
Estimated CO2
51.9 kg one way
Round trip: 103.8 kg / 229 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.02 $44.05
Mid-grade $4.25 $24.84 $49.68
Premium $4.65 $27.18 $54.36
Diesel $5.30 $30.98 $61.95

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Illinois · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Catlin and Des Plaines. The current time is 03:58:46.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.