How far is Des Plaines, IL from Granite City, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Granite City, IL is about 293.7 miles (472.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 259.2 miles (417.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 04m 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 32m.
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 McLean County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Patchy Fog
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Plaines and Granite City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Granite City.
-
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
-
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
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
72.8 mi · 1 hr 18 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 270 West: Kansas City
2058 ft · 32 sec
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13
Merge slight left
9.5 mi · 11 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward IL 203: Granite City
1375 ft · 27 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on IL 203 South: Granite City
781 ft · 27 sec
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on IL 203 South: Granite City
100 m · 11 sec
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17
Turn left onto Nameoki Road
3.5 mi · 6 min · Nameoki Road
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18
Turn right onto Madison Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · Madison Avenue
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19
Turn right onto Niedringhaus Avenue
1307 ft · 36 sec · Niedringhaus Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Niedringhaus Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Granite 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.
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 Patchy Fog near Granite City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to Granite City?
The road trip is about 293.7 miles (472.7 km) and usually takes 05h 32m 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?
Funks Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 146.9 miles from Des Plaines and 146.9 miles from Granite City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 259.2 miles (417.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.5 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 5:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $48.38 one way or $96.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 92.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Des Plaines and Patchy Fog near Granite City.
Stop Ideas Near Funks Grove
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
City Hall - Town of Normal
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Funks Grove.
Uptown Station
Lincoln
Peoria, Illinois
Pontiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Granite City. Straight-line distance: 259.24 mi (417.21 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 Granite City
Township in Madison County, Illinois
| Population | 25,662 |
| Coordinates | 38.7014400, -90.1487200 |
| Altitude | 129 |
| Country | United States |
End: Granite City (-90.14872, 38.70144)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 473 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $48.38 | $96.75 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $54.88 | $109.76 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $60.53 | $121.06 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $68.14 | $136.28 |
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