How far is Des Plaines, IL from Dale, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Dale, IL is about 328.6 miles (528.8 km), with a travel time of about 06h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 280.9 miles (452 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 18m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in Champaign County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Plaines and Dale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Dale.
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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
65.7 mi · 1 hr 11 min
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 64 East: Louisville
10.7 mi · 12 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward Belle Rive, Bluford
1901 ft · 36 sec
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18
Turn right onto County Highway 17
736 ft · 15 sec · County Highway 17
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19
Continue on Brehm Lane
2.2 mi · 4 min · Brehm Lane
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20
Continue on North Main Street
2227 ft · 46 sec · North Main Street
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21
Turn left
11.5 mi · 17 min
-
22
Continue on County Road 6
3.8 mi · 6 min · County Road 6
-
23
Turn right onto South Washington Street
1643 ft · 33 sec · South Washington Street
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24
Turn left onto East Randolph Street
136 m · 10 sec · East Randolph Street
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25
Turn right onto South Jackson Street
1511 ft · 25 sec · South Jackson Street
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26
Continue on County Road 1165 East
6.8 mi · 10 min · County Road 1165 East
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · County Road 1165 East
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Dale.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Des Plaines and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Dale.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to Dale?
The road trip is about 328.6 miles (528.8 km) and usually takes 06h 18m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Pesotum is a useful midpoint, sitting about 164.4 miles from Des Plaines and 164.2 miles from Dale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 280.9 miles (452 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.7 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.71 one way or $87.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 103 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Des Plaines and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Dale.
Stop Ideas Near Pesotum
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 Pesotum.
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Mattoon station
Danville, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Dale. Straight-line distance: 280.87 mi (452.01 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 Dale
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 1,205 |
| Coordinates | 37.9950500, -88.4917200 |
| Altitude | 122 |
| Country | United States |
End: Dale (-88.49172, 37.99505)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 529 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $43.71 | $87.41 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $49.29 | $98.58 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $53.94 | $107.88 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $61.47 | $122.95 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.