How far is Des Plaines, IL from Carthage, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Carthage, IL is about 93.6 miles (150.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 73.9 miles (118.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 05m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Township in Kane County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Drizzle
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Plaines and Carthage.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Carthage.
-
1
Start on Henry Avenue
557 ft · 25 sec · Henry Avenue
-
2
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
-
3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 South: Indiana
2265 ft · 55 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
8.9 mi · 12 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
1.5 km · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1251 ft · 31 sec · Tri-State Tollway
-
7
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
1937 ft · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on I 88 West Toll: Aurora
2633 ft · 50 sec
-
9
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
1.2 km · 60 sec · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
25.1 mi · 30 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
37.4 mi · 40 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward IL 251: Rochelle, Mendota
2006 ft · 49 sec
-
13
Turn right
1.4 mi · 2 min
-
14
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
103 m · 10 sec · 4th Avenue
-
15
Turn right onto North 6th Street
120 m · 9 sec · North 6th Street
-
16
Turn right onto Lincoln Avenue
8 mi · 13 min · Lincoln Avenue
-
17
Turn right onto South Chana Road
1.8 mi · 4 min · South Chana Road
-
18
Turn left onto East Flagg Road
5.4 mi · 13 min · East Flagg Road
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Flagg Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Carthage.
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
37.4 mi · 00h 40m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Slight Chance Drizzle leaving Des Plaines and Mostly Cloudy near Carthage.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to Carthage?
The road trip is about 93.6 miles (150.7 km) and usually takes 02h 05m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Kaneville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 46.7 miles from Des Plaines and 46.9 miles from Carthage.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 73.9 miles (118.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:18 PM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.20 one way or $30.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Drizzle around Des Plaines and Mostly Cloudy near Carthage.
Stop Ideas Near Kaneville
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 Kaneville.
Plano
Naperville
Joliet Transportation Center
La Grange Road
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Carthage. Straight-line distance: 73.89 mi (118.92 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 Carthage
Carthage is a place in Illinois, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 41.9189200, -89.3137100 |
| Altitude | 241 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carthage (-89.31371, 41.91892)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 151 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.61 | $15.20 | $30.41 |
| Mid-grade | $5.24 | $17.29 | $34.58 |
| Premium | $5.79 | $19.12 | $38.24 |
| Diesel | $6.59 | $21.75 | $43.51 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026