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

The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Mattoon, IL is about 197.1 miles (317.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 178.1 miles (286.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 35m 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
197.11 mi
03h 47m
Flight
178.06 mi
286.56 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
178.06 mi
Kilometers
286.56 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
197.11 mi
Kilometers
317.21 km
Drive Time
03h 47m

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 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Mattoon
Thu, Apr 23, 12:55 PM CDT
Return by in Des Plaines
Thu, Apr 23, 4:43 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Des Plaines
2026-04-23T09:07
Arrive Mattoon
Thu, Apr 23, 12:55 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:48 AM to 11:48 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
9:24 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
Gilman
IL

Human settlement in Iroquois County, Illinois, United States of America

From Des Plaines
98.6 mi
01h 54m
To Mattoon
98.5 mi
01h 54m

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
79°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    156.2 mi · 2 hr 49 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 16 West: Mattoon

    2489 ft · 1 min

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto Charleston Avenue East

    2.5 mi · 5 min · Charleston Avenue East

  17. 17

    Turn right onto South 15th Street

    638 ft · 34 sec · South 15th Street

  18. 18

    Turn left

    35 m · 9 sec

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 57 South
157 mi · 80%
Tri-State Tollway
28.3 mi · 14%
Cicero Avenue
4.89 mi · 2%
Charleston Avenue East
2.46 mi · 1%
South Des Plaines River Road
1.77 mi · 1%
Mile-Long Bridge
0.94 mi
Longest Stretch

I 57 South

Merge slight left

156 mi · 02h 49m

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 47m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19 mi
178.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Gilman
01h 54m from Des Plaines
Leave By
9:24 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Des Plaines and Sunny near Mattoon.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 197.1 miles (317.2 km) and usually takes 03h 47m 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?

Gilman is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.6 miles from Des Plaines and 98.5 miles from Mattoon.

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

The direct path is about 178.1 miles (286.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 19 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 9:24 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.25 one way or $52.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Gilman

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

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

RAIL

Gilman

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

Kankakee

41 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Dwight station

51 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Rantoul

53 mi away
West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Mattoon. Straight-line distance: 178.06 mi (286.56 km).

Des Plaines

#1 Des Plaines

The most populous city in Cook County, Illinois.

Population58,179
Coordinates42.0333600, -87.8834000
Altitude193
CountryUnited States
Mattoon

#2 Mattoon

City in Illinois

Population17,513
Coordinates39.4830900, -88.3728300
Altitude224
CountryUnited States
Start: Des Plaines (-87.8834, 42.03336)
End: Mattoon (-88.37283, 39.48309)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 317 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 34m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 17m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.96 gal
26.33 L · about $26.25
Round trip
$52.49
13.92 gal · 52.66 L
Estimated CO2
61.9 kg one way
Round trip: 123.7 kg / 273 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $26.25 $52.49
Mid-grade $4.25 $29.60 $59.20
Premium $4.65 $32.39 $64.78
Diesel $5.30 $36.92 $73.83

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

There is no time difference between Des Plaines and Mattoon. The current time is 09:07:20.

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.