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

The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Bethany, IL is about 209.7 miles (337.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 170.9 miles (275.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 19m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
209.74 mi
04h 09m
Flight
170.92 mi
275.07 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Des Plaines.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
170.92 mi
Kilometers
275.07 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
209.74 mi
Kilometers
337.55 km
Drive Time
04h 09m

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 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bethany
Thu, Apr 23, 4:53 AM CDT
Return by in Des Plaines
Thu, Apr 23, 9:03 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Des Plaines
2026-04-23T00:44
Arrive Bethany
Thu, Apr 23, 4:53 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:10 AM to 12:10 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:40 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Des Plaines
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Onarga
IL

Village in Iroquois County, Illinois, United States of America

From Des Plaines
104.9 mi
02h 04m
To Bethany
104.8 mi
02h 04m

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
10 to 20 mph S
Destination
79°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 21 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Henry Avenue

    557 ft · 25 sec · Henry Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road

    1.8 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 South: Indiana

    2265 ft · 55 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    11.5 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway

  7. 7

    Continue on Mile-Long Bridge

    1.5 km · 1 min · Mile-Long Bridge

  8. 8

    Continue on Tri-State Tollway

    8.5 mi · 11 min · Tri-State Tollway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street

    1162 ft · 28 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue

    2529 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Turn straight onto Cicero Avenue

    4.9 mi · 8 min · Cicero Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn left onto 167th Street

    855 ft · 26 sec · 167th Street

  13. 13

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 57 South: Kankakee, I-80

    3048 ft · 1 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    110.8 mi · 2 hr

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward I 72 West: Decatur

    2596 ft · 1 min

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    36.6 mi · 39 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 48: Oreana, Decatur

    2140 ft · 39 sec

  18. 18

    Turn left

    5.3 mi · 8 min

  19. 19

    Turn left

    3.1 mi · 5 min

  20. 20

    Continue on South Mount Zion Road

    2.1 mi · 3 min · South Mount Zion Road

  21. 21

    Continue on North State Route 121

    12.8 mi · 18 min · North State Route 121

  22. 22

    Turn right onto North Washington Street

    1704 ft · 1 min · North Washington Street

  23. 23

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    42 m · 11 sec · West Main Street

  24. 24

    Turn left onto North Lincoln Street

    17 m · 4 sec · North Lincoln Street

  25. 25

    Turn right

    31 m · 7 sec

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
26 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 57 South
111 mi · 53%
I 72 West
37 mi · 18%
Tri-State Tollway
28.3 mi · 13%
North State Route 121
12.8 mi · 6%
Cicero Avenue
4.89 mi · 2%
South Mount Zion Road
2.07 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 57 South

Merge slight left

111 mi · 02h 00m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 09m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+38.8 mi
170.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Onarga
02h 04m from Des Plaines
Leave By
8:40 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Des Plaines and Mostly Sunny near Bethany.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 209.7 miles (337.5 km) and usually takes 04h 09m 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?

Onarga is a useful midpoint, sitting about 104.9 miles from Des Plaines and 104.8 miles from Bethany.

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

The direct path is about 170.9 miles (275.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.8 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 8:40 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.91 one way or $55.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Onarga

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Onarga, 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 Onarga.

RAIL

Gilman

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

Kankakee

46 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Rantoul

47 mi away
West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.
RAIL

Dwight station

55 mi away
119 West Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Bethany. Straight-line distance: 170.92 mi (275.07 km).

Des Plaines

#1 Des Plaines

The most populous city in Cook County, Illinois.

Population58,179
Coordinates42.0333600, -87.8834000
Altitude193
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Bethany

Village in Illinois, United States

Population1,210
Coordinates39.6455900, -88.7381300
Altitude198
CountryUnited States
Start: Des Plaines (-87.8834, 42.03336)
End: Bethany (-88.73813, 39.64559)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 338 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 59m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.4 gal
28.02 L · about $27.91
Round trip
$55.81
14.8 gal · 56.04 L
Estimated CO2
65.8 kg one way
Round trip: 131.5 kg / 290 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $27.91 $55.81
Mid-grade $4.25 $31.47 $62.94
Premium $4.65 $34.44 $68.88
Diesel $5.30 $39.25 $78.50

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 Des Plaines and Bethany. The current time is 00:44:05.

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.