How far is Des Plaines, IL from Milton, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Milton, IL is about 285.1 miles (458.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 246.9 miles (397.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 57m 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 28m.
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 Henry County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Plaines and Milton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Milton.
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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
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
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
1 km · 1 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
2295 ft · 56 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
119.4 mi · 2 hr 13 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
62.6 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward IL 140: Alton, Greenville
1756 ft · 43 sec
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13
Turn right onto East State Street
1 km · 1 min · East State Street
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14
Continue on State Route 140
9.6 mi · 13 min · State Route 140
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15
Continue on East Bethalto Drive
1.8 mi · 4 min · East Bethalto Drive
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16
Continue on East MacArthur Drive
1.4 mi · 3 min · East MacArthur Drive
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17
Continue on West Macarthur Drive
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Macarthur Drive
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18
Continue on College Avenue
1.8 mi · 3 min · College Avenue
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19
Turn left onto Worden Avenue
1611 ft · 1 min · Worden Avenue
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20
At the end of the road, turn right onto Brown Street
147 m · 19 sec · Brown Street
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21
Turn left onto Dorothy Avenue
77 m · 13 sec · Dorothy Avenue
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22
Turn right onto Ethel Avenue
124 m · 18 sec · Ethel Avenue
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Ethel Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Milton.
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
119 mi · 02h 13m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Des Plaines and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Milton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to Milton?
The road trip is about 285.1 miles (458.8 km) and usually takes 05h 28m 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?
Burns is a useful midpoint, sitting about 142.5 miles from Des Plaines and 142.5 miles from Milton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 246.9 miles (397.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.2 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 6:02 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.94 one way or $75.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Des Plaines and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Milton.
Stop Ideas Near Burns
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
City Hall - Town of Normal
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Burns.
Uptown Station
Lincoln
Pontiac station
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Milton. Straight-line distance: 246.96 mi (397.44 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 Milton
Town in Illinois, USA
| Population | 259 |
| Coordinates | 38.8989400, -90.1423300 |
| Altitude | 158 |
| Country | United States |
End: Milton (-90.14233, 38.89894)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 459 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $37.94 | $75.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.79 | $85.57 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $46.82 | $93.64 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $53.36 | $106.72 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.