How far is Des Plaines, IL from Macomb, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Macomb, IL is about 243.9 miles (392.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 181.1 miles (291.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 17m 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 04h 38m.
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 Livingston County, 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 Macomb.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Macomb.
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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
8.9 mi · 12 min · Tri-State Tollway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
1.5 km · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1251 ft · 31 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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7
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
1937 ft · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 88 West Toll: Aurora
2633 ft · 50 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
1.2 km · 60 sec · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
25.1 mi · 30 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
69.5 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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12
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
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13
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
37.8 mi · 40 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
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14
Continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
5.4 mi · 6 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 80: Peoria
7.1 mi · 8 min
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
31.3 mi · 34 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 34 West: Monmouth
49.6 mi · 59 min
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18
Continue on East 1200th Street
1.2 mi · 1 min · East 1200th Street
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19
Continue on North Lafayette Street
1.8 mi · 3 min · North Lafayette Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Lafayette Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Macomb.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
69.5 mi · 01h 14m
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 Macomb.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to Macomb?
The road trip is about 243.9 miles (392.5 km) and usually takes 04h 38m 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?
Round Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121.9 miles from Des Plaines and 122 miles from Macomb.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 181.1 miles (291.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 62.8 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 7:42 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.47 one way or $64.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Des Plaines and Mostly Sunny near Macomb.
Stop Ideas Near Round Grove
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 Round Grove.
Princeton
Kewanee
Moline, Illinois
Rock Island, IL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Macomb. Straight-line distance: 181.13 mi (291.5 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 Macomb
City in and the county seat of McDonough County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 17,206 |
| Coordinates | 40.4592100, -90.6718000 |
| Altitude | 215 |
| Country | United States |
End: Macomb (-90.6718, 40.45921)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 392 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.47 | $64.94 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.62 | $73.24 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.07 | $80.14 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.67 | $91.33 |
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.