How far is Des Plaines, IL from Cairo, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Cairo, IL is about 385.9 miles (621 km), with a travel time of about 07h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 354.2 miles (570 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 14h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 07h 11m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
City in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Plaines and Cairo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Cairo.
-
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
-
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 left to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
65.7 mi · 1 hr 11 min
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
90 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 51 South, IL 3 North: Cairo
3.8 mi · 7 min
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18
Turn slight left onto Washington Avenue
93 m · 9 sec · Washington Avenue
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Cairo.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Des Plaines and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Cairo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to Cairo?
The road trip is about 385.9 miles (621 km) and usually takes 07h 11m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Mattoon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 193 miles from Des Plaines and 192.9 miles from Cairo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 354.2 miles (570 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.7 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $63.54 one way or $127.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 121 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Des Plaines and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Cairo.
Stop Ideas Near Mattoon
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 Mattoon.
Mattoon station
Effingham
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Cairo. Straight-line distance: 354.16 mi (569.97 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 Cairo
City in Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,989 |
| Coordinates | 37.0053300, -89.1764600 |
| Altitude | 95 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cairo (-89.17646, 37.00533)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 621 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $63.54 | $127.07 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $72.08 | $144.15 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $79.50 | $159.00 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $89.50 | $178.99 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026