How far is Des Plaines, IL from Chatham, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Chatham, IL is about 213.8 miles (344.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 188.6 miles (303.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 10m 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 05m.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Plaines and Chatham.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Chatham.
-
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
11.5 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
5
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
1 km · 1 min
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
2295 ft · 56 sec
-
9
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
119.4 mi · 2 hr 13 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
3.4 mi · 4 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward IL 4: Springfield, Chatham
2551 ft · 55 sec
-
13
Keep slight left
81 m · 9 sec
-
14
Turn left onto South Veterans Parkway
1173 ft · 23 sec · South Veterans Parkway
-
15
Continue on South Veterans Parkway
1.5 mi · 2 min · South Veterans Parkway
-
16
Continue on North Main Street
3 mi · 5 min · North Main Street
-
17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Chatham.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
119 mi · 02h 13m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Des Plaines and Showers And Thunderstorms near Chatham.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to Chatham?
The road trip is about 213.8 miles (344.1 km) and usually takes 04h 05m 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?
Chenoa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 106.9 miles from Des Plaines and 106.9 miles from Chatham.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 188.6 miles (303.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.2 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 8:50 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.17 one way or $70.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Des Plaines and Showers And Thunderstorms near Chatham.
Stop Ideas Near Chenoa
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 Chenoa.
Pontiac station
Uptown Station
Dwight station
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Chatham. Straight-line distance: 188.62 mi (303.56 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 Chatham
Village in Illinois, USA
| Population | 13,159 |
| Coordinates | 39.6761600, -89.7045400 |
| Altitude | 184 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chatham (-89.70454, 39.67616)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 344 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $35.17 | $70.35 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $39.90 | $79.80 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $44.01 | $88.02 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $49.55 | $99.09 |
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