How far is Decatur, IL from Downers Grove, IL?
The driving distance from Decatur, IL to Downers Grove, IL is about 167 miles (268.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 144.7 miles (232.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 37m 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 03h 18m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Township in Livingston County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Decatur and Downers Grove.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur and Downers Grove.
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1
Start on East Wood Street
155 m · 23 sec · East Wood Street
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2
Turn left onto South Franklin Street
2129 ft · 46 sec · South Franklin Street
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3
Continue on North Water Street
27.4 mi · 37 min · North Water Street
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4
Continue on North 1450 East Road
14.7 mi · 18 min · North 1450 East Road
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford
113.8 mi · 2 hr 5 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs
2797 ft · 1 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 355 North: Northwest Suburbs
1.2 mi · 3 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
6.2 mi · 8 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 34: Ogden Avenue
1604 ft · 39 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on East Ogden Avenue
2.2 mi · 5 min · East Ogden Avenue
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11
Turn left
27 m · 8 sec
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12
Turn right
101 m · 26 sec
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13
Turn uturn onto Main Street
59 m · 13 sec · Main Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Decatur and Downers Grove.
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 74 West
Take the exit slight right toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford
114 mi · 02h 05m
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.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny leaving Decatur and Mostly Sunny near Downers Grove.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Decatur to Downers Grove?
The road trip is about 167 miles (268.8 km) and usually takes 03h 18m 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?
Rooks Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.5 miles from Decatur and 83.5 miles from Downers Grove.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 144.7 miles (232.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.3 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 10:22 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.21 one way or $44.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny around Decatur and Mostly Sunny near Downers Grove.
Stop Ideas Near Rooks Creek
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 Rooks Creek.
Pontiac station
Dwight station
Uptown Station
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Decatur and Downers Grove. Straight-line distance: 144.69 mi (232.85 km).
#1 Decatur
The most populous city in Macon County, Illinois.
| Population | 70,007 |
| Coordinates | 39.8403100, -88.9548000 |
| Altitude | 205 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Downers Grove
Village in Downers Grove, Lisle, and York Townships, DuPage County, Illinois, US
| Population | 48,727 |
| Coordinates | 41.8089200, -88.0111700 |
| Altitude | 226 |
| Country | United States |
End: Downers Grove (-88.01117, 41.80892)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 269 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.21 | $44.42 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.05 | $50.10 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.41 | $54.82 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.24 | $62.48 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.