How far is Des Plaines, IL from Mackinaw, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Mackinaw, IL is about 159.9 miles (257.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 128.6 miles (207 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 22m 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 03h 11m.
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.
Village in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Plaines and Mackinaw.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Mackinaw.
-
1
Start on Henry Avenue
557 ft · 25 sec · Henry Avenue
-
2
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
-
3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 South: Indiana
2265 ft · 55 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
11.5 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
5
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
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
-
9
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
113 mi · 2 hr 7 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 74 West: Peoria
2888 ft · 49 sec
-
11
Continue straight
14.6 mi · 16 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward IL 117: Goodfield
1470 ft · 32 sec
-
13
Turn left onto South Eureka Street
1609 ft · 42 sec · South Eureka Street
-
14
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Martin Drive
1.2 km · 1 min · West Martin Drive
-
15
Continue on County Road 1300 East
1108 ft · 19 sec · County Road 1300 East
-
16
Turn right onto County Line Road
2.1 mi · 5 min · County Line Road
-
17
At the end of the road, turn left
1.5 km · 1 min
-
18
Turn left onto Dee-Mac Road
5.6 mi · 8 min · Dee-Mac Road
-
19
Continue on Dee Mac Road
2380 ft · 1 min · Dee Mac Road
-
20
Continue on North Main Street
853 ft · 29 sec · North Main Street
-
21
Turn left onto East Fast Avenue
138 m · 12 sec · East Fast Avenue
-
22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Fast Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Mackinaw.
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
113 mi · 02h 07m
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 Mostly Sunny near Mackinaw.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to Mackinaw?
The road trip is about 159.9 miles (257.4 km) and usually takes 03h 11m 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?
Dwight is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.9 miles from Des Plaines and 80 miles from Mackinaw.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 128.6 miles (207 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.3 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 10:38 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.27 one way or $42.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Des Plaines and Mostly Sunny near Mackinaw.
Stop Ideas Near Dwight
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 Dwight.
Dwight station
Pontiac station
Kankakee
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Mackinaw. Straight-line distance: 128.63 mi (207.01 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 Mackinaw
City in Tazewell County, Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 2,430 |
| Coordinates | 40.5369800, -89.3575900 |
| Altitude | 209 |
| Country | United States |
End: Mackinaw (-89.35759, 40.53698)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 257 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.27 | $42.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.99 | $47.97 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.25 | $52.50 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.91 | $59.83 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.