How far is Des Plaines, IL from Central City, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Central City, IL is about 280.9 miles (452.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 249.5 miles (401.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 37m 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 05h 18m.
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
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Plaines and Central City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Central City.
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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
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
188.4 mi · 3 hr 24 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
40.9 mi · 44 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
2330 ft · 57 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on US 50: Salem, Sandoval
25 m · 2 sec
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18
Turn right onto West Main Street
2.2 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
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19
Continue on East Poplar Street
2.7 mi · 3 min · East Poplar Street
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20
Continue on Poplar
2.7 mi · 3 min · Poplar
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21
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Mine Street
135 m · 6 sec · North Mine Street
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22
Continue on N Mine St
990 ft · 13 sec · N Mine St
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23
Continue on North Mine Street
3231 ft · 54 sec · North Mine Street
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24
Continue on County Road 180 E
4.4 mi · 6 min · County Road 180 E
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25
Continue on North Commercial Street
988 ft · 23 sec · North Commercial Street
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26
Turn left onto Hardin Street
82 m · 12 sec · Hardin Street
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27
Continue on East Hardin
677 ft · 32 sec · East Hardin
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28
Turn right onto North Harrison Street
23 m · 3 sec · North Harrison Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Harrison Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Central City.
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
188 mi · 03h 24m
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 And Snow Showers then Sunny near Central City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to Central City?
The road trip is about 280.9 miles (452.1 km) and usually takes 05h 18m 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?
Thomasboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 140.6 miles from Des Plaines and 140.4 miles from Central City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 249.5 miles (401.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.4 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 6:22 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.37 one way or $74.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Des Plaines and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny near Central City.
Stop Ideas Near Thomasboro
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 Thomasboro.
Rantoul
Illinois Terminal
Danville, Illinois
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Central City. Straight-line distance: 249.51 mi (401.54 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 Central City
City in Illinois, USA
| Population | 1,107 |
| Coordinates | 38.5489400, -89.1270100 |
| Altitude | 148 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central City (-89.12701, 38.54894)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 452 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $37.37 | $74.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.15 | $84.29 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $46.12 | $92.24 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $52.56 | $105.13 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.