How far is Cincinnati, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Cincinnati, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 291.6 miles (469.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 253.1 miles (407.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 04h 57m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The most populous city in Champaign County, Illinois.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cincinnati and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cincinnati and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on County Road 1000N
1 mi · 4 min · County Road 1000N
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2
Turn left onto 900E
2 mi · 5 min · 900E
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3
Turn left onto County Road 800 North
7 mi · 10 min · County Road 800 North
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4
Turn slight left
887 ft · 32 sec
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5
Turn straight onto County Road 1600E
3.8 mi · 6 min · County Road 1600E
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6
Continue on Washington Street
1 mi · 2 min · Washington Street
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7
Continue on County Road 1600E
4.6 mi · 7 min · County Road 1600E
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8
Continue on County Road 1800N
1.4 mi · 2 min · County Road 1800N
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9
Continue on Central Street
2051 ft · 35 sec · Central Street
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10
Continue on Central Street
2844 ft · 48 sec · Central Street
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11
Continue on County Road 1400E
14.3 mi · 20 min · County Road 1400E
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12
Turn right onto County Road 925 E
16.2 mi · 24 min · County Road 925 E
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13
Continue on United States Route 45
14.9 mi · 22 min · United States Route 45
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14
Turn right onto West Fayette Avenue
1123 ft · 33 sec · West Fayette Avenue
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15
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · South 3rd Street
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16
Take the ramp right toward I-57 North, I-70 East: Champaign, Terre Haute
2624 ft · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left
1.3 km · 55 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
185.5 mi · 3 hr 21 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin
1718 ft · 33 sec
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20
Keep slight right to continue on I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
1.8 mi · 3 min
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21
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
20.8 mi · 26 min · Tri-State Tollway
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22
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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24
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
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25
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
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26
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
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27
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
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28
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
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29
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
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30
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cincinnati and Des Plaines.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 57 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
185 mi · 03h 21m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Cincinnati and Showers And Thunderstorms near Des Plaines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cincinnati to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 291.6 miles (469.3 km) and usually takes 04h 57m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Champaign is a useful midpoint, sitting about 147 miles from Cincinnati and 144.6 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 253.1 miles (407.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:04 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.80 one way or $77.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 91.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Cincinnati and Showers And Thunderstorms near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Champaign
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Champaign.
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Danville, Illinois
Mattoon station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cincinnati and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 253.16 mi (407.42 km).
#1 Cincinnati
Township in Tazewell County, Illinois
| Population | 8,830 |
| Coordinates | 38.4008800, -88.5119900 |
| Altitude | 128 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Des Plaines
The most populous city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 58,179 |
| Coordinates | 42.0333600, -87.8834000 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
End: Henry Avenue (-87.883408, 42.033456)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 469 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $38.80 | $77.61 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $43.76 | $87.53 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $47.89 | $95.78 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $54.58 | $109.16 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.