How far is Des Plaines, IL from East Alton, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to East Alton, IL is about 284.2 miles (457.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 247.3 miles (398 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 56m 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 28m.
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.
Township in Henry County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Plaines and East Alton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and East Alton.
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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
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
1 km · 1 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
2295 ft · 56 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
119.4 mi · 2 hr 13 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
62.6 mi · 1 hr 7 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward IL 140: Alton, Greenville
1756 ft · 43 sec
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13
Turn right onto East State Street
1 km · 1 min · East State Street
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14
Continue on State Route 140
9.6 mi · 13 min · State Route 140
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15
Continue on East Bethalto Drive
1.8 mi · 4 min · East Bethalto Drive
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16
Turn left onto North Bellwood Drive
1.4 km · 2 min · North Bellwood Drive
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17
Turn right onto East Airline Drive
1.3 mi · 3 min · East Airline Drive
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18
Continue on West Airline Court
2960 ft · 1 min · West Airline Court
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19
Continue on Berkshire Boulevard
3072 ft · 1 min · Berkshire Boulevard
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20
Continue on East Main Street
2133 ft · 1 min · East Main Street
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21
Turn left onto North Shamrock Street
1525 ft · 49 sec · North Shamrock Street
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22
Turn sharp right onto West Saint Louis Avenue
119 m · 8 sec · West Saint Louis Avenue
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23
Turn right onto North Pence Street
12 m · 2 sec · North Pence Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Pence Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and East Alton.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Des Plaines and Sunny near East Alton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to East Alton?
The road trip is about 284.2 miles (457.4 km) and usually takes 05h 28m 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?
Burns is a useful midpoint, sitting about 142.1 miles from Des Plaines and 142.1 miles from East Alton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 247.3 miles (398 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.9 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 6:04 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.82 one way or $75.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Des Plaines and Sunny near East Alton.
Stop Ideas Near Burns
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Town of Normal
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Burns.
Uptown Station
Lincoln
Pontiac station
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and East Alton. Straight-line distance: 247.32 mi (398.02 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 East Alton
City in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 5,922 |
| Coordinates | 38.8803300, -90.1112200 |
| Altitude | 132 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Alton (-90.11122, 38.88033)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 457 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $37.82 | $75.65 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.66 | $85.32 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $46.68 | $93.36 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $53.20 | $106.40 |
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.