How far is Des Plaines, IL from Bruce, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Bruce, IL is about 210.1 miles (338.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 177.6 miles (285.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 28m 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 14m.
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.
Village in Iroquois County, Illinois, United States of America
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 Bruce.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Bruce.
-
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
156.2 mi · 2 hr 49 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward IL 16 West: Mattoon
2489 ft · 1 min
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16
Turn straight onto Charleston Avenue East
2.8 mi · 6 min · Charleston Avenue East
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17
Turn right onto South 19th Street
2731 ft · 60 sec · South 19th Street
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18
Turn left onto Dewitt Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · Dewitt Avenue
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19
Continue on Route 121
3.5 mi · 5 min · Route 121
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20
Turn left onto 1000N
156 m · 14 sec · 1000N
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21
Continue on County Highway 4
6.6 mi · 16 min · County Highway 4
-
22
Turn left
691 ft · 30 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Bruce.
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
156 mi · 02h 49m
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 Bruce.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to Bruce?
The road trip is about 210.1 miles (338.2 km) and usually takes 04h 14m 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 105.1 miles from Des Plaines and 105 miles from Bruce.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 177.6 miles (285.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.5 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 8:32 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.98 one way or $55.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Des Plaines and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Bruce.
Stop Ideas Near Onarga
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 Onarga.
Gilman
Kankakee
Rantoul
Dwight station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Bruce. Straight-line distance: 177.67 mi (285.93 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 Bruce
Unincorporated community in Illinois
| Population | 12,209 |
| Coordinates | 39.5189200, -88.5945000 |
| Altitude | 195 |
| Country | United States |
End: Bruce (-88.5945, 39.51892)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 338 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $27.98 | $55.96 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $31.56 | $63.11 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $34.53 | $69.07 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $39.36 | $78.71 |
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.