How far is Des Plaines, IL from Carbon Cliff, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Carbon Cliff, IL is about 158.4 miles (255 km), with a travel time of about 03h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 134.5 miles (216.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 03m 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 03h 01m.
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.
City in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Plaines and Carbon Cliff.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Carbon Cliff.
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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
8.9 mi · 12 min · Tri-State Tollway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
1.5 km · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1251 ft · 31 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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7
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
1937 ft · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 88 West Toll: Aurora
2633 ft · 50 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
1.2 km · 60 sec · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
25.1 mi · 30 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
69.5 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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12
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
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13
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
37.8 mi · 40 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
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14
Continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
5.4 mi · 6 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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15
Continue straight
3.9 mi · 5 min
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16
Take the exit slight right
2718 ft · 1 min
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17
Continue on North 2nd Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · North 2nd Avenue
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 2nd Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Carbon Cliff.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
69.5 mi · 01h 14m
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 Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carbon Cliff.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to Carbon Cliff?
The road trip is about 158.4 miles (255 km) and usually takes 03h 01m 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?
Flagg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.1 miles from Des Plaines and 79.3 miles from Carbon Cliff.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 134.5 miles (216.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.9 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 10:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.08 one way or $42.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Des Plaines and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carbon Cliff.
Stop Ideas Near Flagg
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 Flagg.
Mendota station
Rockford, Illinois
Plano
Princeton
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Carbon Cliff. Straight-line distance: 134.46 mi (216.4 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 Carbon Cliff
City in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 1,932 |
| Coordinates | 41.4947600, -90.3906800 |
| Altitude | 184 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carbon Cliff (-90.39068, 41.49476)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 255 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.08 | $42.16 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.77 | $47.55 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.02 | $52.03 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.65 | $59.30 |
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 24, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.