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

The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Bourbon, IL is about 179.5 miles (288.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 160.2 miles (257.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 22m 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
179.48 mi
03h 41m
Flight
160.17 mi
257.77 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
160.17 mi
Kilometers
257.77 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
179.48 mi
Kilometers
288.85 km
Drive Time
03h 41m

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 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bourbon
Tue, Apr 14, 11:21 PM CDT
Return by in Des Plaines
Wed, Apr 15, 3:02 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Des Plaines
2026-04-14T19:40
Arrive Bourbon
Tue, Apr 14, 11:21 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:41 AM to 11:41 AM CDT

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

Leave by
9:38 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
Ashkum
IL

Township in Iroquois County, Illinois

From Des Plaines
89.8 mi
01h 50m
To Bourbon
89.7 mi
01h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph SW
Destination
82°F
Tuesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 21 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    126.1 mi · 2 hr 17 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward US 45: Tolono, Pesotum, Tuscola

    1328 ft · 28 sec

  16. 16

    Turn straight

    8 mi · 12 min

  17. 17

    Turn right

    825 ft · 30 sec

  18. 18

    Turn straight onto County Road 950 North

    3.5 mi · 5 min · County Road 950 North

  19. 19

    Turn left onto North County Road 590 East

    1.6 mi · 6 min · North County Road 590 East

  20. 20

    Continue on North County Road 560 East

    116 m · 17 sec · North County Road 560 East

  21. 21

    Continue on North County Road 540 East

    2707 ft · 2 min · North County Road 540 East

  22. 22

    Turn right onto County Highway 16

    1.1 mi · 4 min · County Highway 16

  23. 23

    Continue on North County Road 475 East

    1278 ft · 56 sec · North County Road 475 East

  24. 24

    Continue on North County Road 490 East

    137 m · 21 sec · North County Road 490 East

  25. 25

    Continue on County Road 490E

    42 m · 6 sec · County Road 490E

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · County Road 490E

Car Route Details

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

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
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 57 South
127 mi · 71%
Tri-State Tollway
28.3 mi · 16%
Cicero Avenue
4.89 mi · 3%
County Road 950 North
3.47 mi · 2%
South Des Plaines River Road
1.77 mi · 1%
North County Road 590 East
1.59 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 57 South

Merge slight left

126 mi · 02h 17m

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
03h 41m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.3 mi
160.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ashkum
01h 50m from Des Plaines
Leave By
9:38 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Des Plaines and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Bourbon.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 179.5 miles (288.8 km) and usually takes 03h 41m 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?

Ashkum is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.8 miles from Des Plaines and 89.7 miles from Bourbon.

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

The direct path is about 160.2 miles (257.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.3 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 9:38 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.87 one way or $47.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Des Plaines and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Bourbon.

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 Des Plaines and Bourbon. Straight-line distance: 160.17 mi (257.77 km).

Des Plaines

#1 Des Plaines

The most populous city in Cook County, Illinois.

Population58,179
Coordinates42.0333600, -87.8834000
Altitude193
CountryUnited States
Bourbon

#2 Bourbon

Township in Douglas County, Illinois

Population4,061
Coordinates39.7455900, -88.3789400
Altitude201
CountryUnited States
Start: Des Plaines (-87.8834, 42.03336)
End: Bourbon (-88.37894, 39.74559)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 289 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 58m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.33 gal
23.97 L · about $23.87
Round trip
$47.74
12.66 gal · 47.94 L
Estimated CO2
56.3 kg one way
Round trip: 112.5 kg / 248 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.87 $47.74
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.92 $53.84
Premium $4.65 $29.46 $58.92
Diesel $5.30 $33.57 $67.15

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Des Plaines and Bourbon. The current time is 19:40:22.

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.