How far is Des Plaines, IL from Chillicothe, IL?

The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Chillicothe, IL is about 148.3 miles (238.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 113 miles (181.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 47m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
148.26 mi
02h 53m
Flight
113.03 mi
181.91 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Des Plaines.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
113.03 mi
Kilometers
181.91 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
148.26 mi
Kilometers
238.6 km
Drive Time
02h 53m

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 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chillicothe
Thu, Apr 23, 7:03 AM CDT
Return by in Des Plaines
Thu, Apr 23, 9:57 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Des Plaines
2026-04-23T04:09
Arrive Chillicothe
Thu, Apr 23, 7:03 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:54 AM to 12:54 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:42 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Des Plaines
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Marseilles
IL

City in LaSalle County, Illinois

From Des Plaines
74.1 mi
01h 26m
To Chillicothe
74.2 mi
01h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S
Destination
81°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 18 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Des Plaines and Chillicothe.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Chillicothe.

  1. 1

    Start on Henry Avenue

    557 ft · 25 sec · Henry Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road

    1.8 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 South: Indiana

    2265 ft · 55 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    11.5 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis

    1 km · 1 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis

    2295 ft · 56 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway

    25.9 mi · 32 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West: Iowa

    1.3 km · 1 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    64.2 mi · 1 hr 9 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 180 South: Hennepin

    1 mi · 2 min

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    8.7 mi · 9 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on Peoria

    2.1 mi · 2 min

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    24.5 mi · 29 min

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North 4th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Chillicothe.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
16 steps
1 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 West
65.1 mi · 44%
Peoria
26.7 mi · 18%
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
25.9 mi · 17%
Tri-State Tollway
17.5 mi · 12%
I 180 South
9.7 mi · 7%
South Des Plaines River Road
1.77 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 80 West

Merge slight left

64.2 mi · 01h 09m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 53m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+35.3 mi
113 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Marseilles
01h 26m from Des Plaines
Leave By
12:42 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Des Plaines and Mostly Sunny near Chillicothe.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to Chillicothe?

The road trip is about 148.3 miles (238.6 km) and usually takes 02h 53m 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?

Marseilles is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.1 miles from Des Plaines and 74.2 miles from Chillicothe.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 113 miles (181.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.3 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:42 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.72 one way or $39.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Des Plaines and Mostly Sunny near Chillicothe.

Stop Ideas Near Marseilles

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Marseilles, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Marseilles.

RAIL

Dwight station

35 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Plano

39 mi away
101 West Main Street
RAIL

Mendota station

42 mi away
783 Main Street
RAIL

Pontiac station

51 mi away
721 West Washington St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Chillicothe. Straight-line distance: 113.03 mi (181.91 km).

Des Plaines

#1 Des Plaines

The most populous city in Cook County, Illinois.

Population58,179
Coordinates42.0333600, -87.8834000
Altitude193
CountryUnited States
Chillicothe

#2 Chillicothe

Civil township in northeast Peoria County, Illinois

Population5,955
Coordinates40.9222600, -89.4862000
Altitude153
CountryUnited States
Start: Des Plaines (-87.8834, 42.03336)
End: Chillicothe (-89.4862, 40.92226)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 239 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 28m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 50m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.23 gal
19.8 L · about $19.72
Round trip
$39.44
10.46 gal · 39.6 L
Estimated CO2
46.5 kg one way
Round trip: 93 kg / 205 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.72 $39.44
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.24 $44.49
Premium $4.65 $24.34 $48.68
Diesel $5.30 $27.74 $55.48

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Des Plaines and Chillicothe. The current time is 04:09:11.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.