How far is Des Plaines, IL from Harrisburg, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Harrisburg, IL is about 345.4 miles (555.8 km), with a travel time of about 06h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 298.8 miles (480.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 19m 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 39m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Sunny
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Plaines and Harrisburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Harrisburg.
-
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 right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
20 mi · 22 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward IL 14: Christopher, Benton
1972 ft · 50 sec
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18
Turn left onto West Main Street
1.4 km · 1 min · West Main Street
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Public Square
115 m · 8 sec · East Main Street
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20
Exit the rotary onto East Main Street
32 mi · 49 min · East Main Street
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21
Turn right onto West Poplar Street
27 m · 2 sec · West Poplar Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Poplar Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Harrisburg.
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.
Sunny leaving Des Plaines and Chance Rain Showers near Harrisburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to Harrisburg?
The road trip is about 345.4 miles (555.8 km) and usually takes 06h 39m 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?
Tuscola is a useful midpoint, sitting about 172.8 miles from Des Plaines and 172.6 miles from Harrisburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 298.8 miles (480.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.6 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 $45.97 one way or $91.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 108.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Des Plaines and Chance Rain Showers near Harrisburg.
Stop Ideas Near Tuscola
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 Tuscola.
Illinois Terminal
Mattoon station
Rantoul
Danville, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Harrisburg. Straight-line distance: 298.79 mi (480.86 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 Harrisburg
County seat of Saline County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 8,404 |
| Coordinates | 37.7383800, -88.5406100 |
| Altitude | 121 |
| Country | United States |
End: Harrisburg (-88.54061, 37.73838)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 556 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $45.97 | $91.94 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $51.84 | $103.69 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $56.73 | $113.46 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $64.66 | $129.31 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.