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

The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Homer, IL is about 168.5 miles (271.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 21m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 138.1 miles (222.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
168.48 mi
03h 21m
Flight
138.14 mi
222.32 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Des Plaines.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
138.14 mi
Kilometers
222.32 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
168.48 mi
Kilometers
271.14 km
Drive Time
03h 21m

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 03h 21m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Homer
Thu, Apr 23, 5:02 AM CDT
Return by in Des Plaines
Thu, Apr 23, 8:24 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Des Plaines
2026-04-23T01:41
Arrive Homer
Thu, Apr 23, 5:02 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 21m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:21 AM to 11:21 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:18 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Des Plaines
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Chebanse
IL

Village in United States of America

From Des Plaines
84.3 mi
01h 40m
To Homer
84.2 mi
01h 40m

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
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 21 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway

  7. 7

    Continue on Mile-Long Bridge

    1.5 km · 1 min · Mile-Long Bridge

  8. 8

    Continue on Tri-State Tollway

    8.5 mi · 11 min · Tri-State Tollway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street

    1162 ft · 28 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue

    2529 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Turn straight onto Cicero Avenue

    4.9 mi · 8 min · Cicero Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn left onto 167th Street

    855 ft · 26 sec · 167th Street

  13. 13

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 57 South: Kankakee, I-80

    3048 ft · 1 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    105.4 mi · 1 hr 55 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward Market Street

    1379 ft · 27 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left

    29 m · 5 sec

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Market Street

    3.2 mi · 5 min · Market Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto East Marketview Drive

    1336 ft · 40 sec · East Marketview Drive

  19. 19

    Turn left onto North Neil Street

    1475 ft · 42 sec · North Neil Street

  20. 20

    Take the ramp left

    1410 ft · 34 sec

  21. 21

    Merge slight left

    14.9 mi · 16 min

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward Royal, Ogden

    1689 ft · 41 sec

  23. 23

    Keep slight right to continue on Royal, Ogden

    40 m · 3 sec

  24. 24

    Turn slight right onto Market Street

    3079 ft · 1 min · Market Street

  25. 25

    Continue on County Road 2700 East

    4.8 mi · 8 min · County Road 2700 East

  26. 26

    Continue on Main Street

    993 ft · 20 sec · Main Street

  27. 27

    Continue on County Road 15

    107 m · 7 sec · County Road 15

  28. 28

    Continue on South Main Street

    159 m · 10 sec · South Main Street

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
29 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 57 South
106 mi · 63%
Tri-State Tollway
28.3 mi · 17%
North Neil Street
15.4 mi · 9%
Cicero Avenue
4.89 mi · 3%
County Road 2700 East
4.77 mi · 3%
Market Street
4.01 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 57 South

Merge slight left

105 mi · 01h 55m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 21m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.4 mi
138.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Chebanse
01h 40m from Des Plaines
Leave By
10:18 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Des Plaines and Mostly Sunny near Homer.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 168.5 miles (271.1 km) and usually takes 03h 21m 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?

Chebanse is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.3 miles from Des Plaines and 84.2 miles from Homer.

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

The direct path is about 138.1 miles (222.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.4 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 10:18 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.40 one way or $44.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Chebanse

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Chebanse, 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 Chebanse.

RAIL

Kankakee

13 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Gilman

28 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.
RAIL

Dwight station

45 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

60 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Homer. Straight-line distance: 138.14 mi (222.32 km).

Des Plaines

#1 Des Plaines

The most populous city in Cook County, Illinois.

Population58,179
Coordinates42.0333600, -87.8834000
Altitude193
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Homer

Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America

Population1,143
Coordinates40.0347600, -87.9580900
Altitude206
CountryUnited States
Start: Des Plaines (-87.8834, 42.03336)
End: Homer (-87.95809, 40.03476)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 271 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 22m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 06m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.94 gal
22.5 L · about $22.40
Round trip
$44.80
11.88 gal · 45 L
Estimated CO2
52.8 kg one way
Round trip: 105.6 kg / 233 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.40 $44.80
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.26 $50.53
Premium $4.65 $27.64 $55.29
Diesel $5.30 $31.51 $63.01

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 Homer. The current time is 01:41:30.

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.