How far is Des Plaines, IL from Marion, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Marion, IL is about 274.9 miles (442.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 240.9 miles (387.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 31m 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 45m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Plaines and Marion.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Marion.
-
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
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street
1162 ft · 28 sec
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue
2529 ft · 1 min
-
11
Turn straight onto Cicero Avenue
4.9 mi · 8 min · Cicero Avenue
-
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
-
14
Merge slight left
156.5 mi · 2 hr 49 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward IL 16 East: Charleston
1676 ft · 47 sec
-
16
Turn straight onto Charleston Avenue East
1.2 km · 1 min · Charleston Avenue East
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17
Continue on Illinois Route 16
6 mi · 8 min · Illinois Route 16
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18
Continue on West Lincoln Avenue
1.8 mi · 3 min · West Lincoln Avenue
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19
Turn right onto 18th Street
1.6 mi · 2 min · 18th Street
-
20
Continue on Illinois Route 130
1.2 km · 1 min · Illinois Route 130
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21
Continue on Route 130
10 mi · 15 min · Route 130
-
22
Continue on County Road 1825 East
2 mi · 3 min · County Road 1825 East
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23
Continue on County Road 1775 E
1.3 km · 1 min · County Road 1775 E
-
24
Continue on North Haughton Highway
1945 ft · 33 sec · North Haughton Highway
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25
Continue on 1700E
1.3 mi · 2 min · 1700E
-
26
Continue on North Haughton Highway
4 mi · 6 min · North Haughton Highway
-
27
Continue on County Road 1700E
2.1 mi · 3 min · County Road 1700E
-
28
Continue on North 1250th Street
13.3 mi · 20 min · North 1250th Street
-
29
Turn left onto South Van Buren Street
11 mi · 15 min · South Van Buren Street
-
30
Continue on County Road 1100 East
6.7 mi · 9 min · County Road 1100 East
-
31
Continue on North West Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · North West Street
-
32
Continue on County Road 1150
12.3 mi · 17 min · County Road 1150
-
33
Turn right onto 2050N
2.9 mi · 11 min · 2050N
-
34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 2050N
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Marion.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 57 South
Merge slight left
157 mi · 02h 49m
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 Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Marion.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to Marion?
The road trip is about 274.9 miles (442.4 km) and usually takes 05h 45m 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?
Thomasboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 137.6 miles from Des Plaines and 137.3 miles from Marion.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 240.9 miles (387.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 34 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 5:28 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.58 one way or $73.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 86.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Des Plaines and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Marion.
Stop Ideas Near Thomasboro
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 Thomasboro.
Rantoul
Illinois Terminal
Danville, Illinois
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Marion. Straight-line distance: 240.89 mi (387.67 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 Marion
City in and the county seat of Williamson County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 17,417 |
| Coordinates | 38.5511600, -88.1083700 |
| Altitude | 127 |
| Country | United States |
End: Marion (-88.10837, 38.55116)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 442 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $36.58 | $73.16 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $41.25 | $82.51 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $45.14 | $90.29 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $51.45 | $102.90 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.