How far is Des Plaines, IL from Altamont, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Altamont, IL is about 237.1 miles (381.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 210.3 miles (338.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 00m 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 30m.
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 Iroquois County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Plaines and Altamont.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Altamont.
-
1
Start on Henry Avenue
557 ft · 25 sec · Henry Avenue
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2
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
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3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 South: Indiana
2265 ft · 55 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
11.5 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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5
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway
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7
Continue on Mile-Long Bridge
1.5 km · 1 min · Mile-Long Bridge
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8
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
8.5 mi · 11 min · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street
1162 ft · 28 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue
2529 ft · 1 min
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11
Turn straight onto Cicero Avenue
4.9 mi · 8 min · Cicero Avenue
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12
Turn left onto 167th Street
855 ft · 26 sec · 167th Street
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13
Take the ramp slight right toward I 57 South: Kankakee, I-80
3048 ft · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left
188.4 mi · 3 hr 24 min
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 70 West: Saint Louis
9.4 mi · 10 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward IL 128: Altamont
1878 ft · 40 sec
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17
Turn right onto Farina Road
1 km · 1 min · Farina Road
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18
Continue on South Main Street
2475 ft · 2 min · South Main Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Altamont.
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 South
Merge slight left
188 mi · 03h 24m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Des Plaines and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Altamont.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to Altamont?
The road trip is about 237.1 miles (381.6 km) and usually takes 04h 30m 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?
Loda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 118.6 miles from Des Plaines and 118.5 miles from Altamont.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 210.3 miles (338.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.8 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 8:00 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.56 one way or $63.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Des Plaines and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Altamont.
Stop Ideas Near Loda
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 Loda.
Rantoul
Gilman
Illinois Terminal
Danville, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Altamont. Straight-line distance: 210.26 mi (338.38 km).
#1 Des Plaines
The most populous city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 58,179 |
| Coordinates | 42.0333600, -87.8834000 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Altamont
City in Effingham County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 2,350 |
| Coordinates | 39.0619900, -88.7481100 |
| Altitude | 189 |
| Country | United States |
End: Altamont (-88.74811, 39.06199)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 382 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $31.56 | $63.13 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $35.60 | $71.20 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $38.95 | $77.91 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $44.39 | $88.79 |
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 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.