How far is Des Plaines, IL from Mount Zion, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Mount Zion, IL is about 198.4 miles (319.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 164.6 miles (264.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 46m 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 53m.
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.
Human settlement in Iroquois County, Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Plaines and Mount Zion.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Mount Zion.
-
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
-
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
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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
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9
Take the exit slight right toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street
1162 ft · 28 sec
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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
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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
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14
Merge slight left
110.8 mi · 2 hr
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward I 72 West: Decatur
2596 ft · 1 min
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16
Merge slight left
36.6 mi · 39 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward IL 48: Oreana, Decatur
2140 ft · 39 sec
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18
Turn left
5.3 mi · 8 min
-
19
Turn left
3.1 mi · 5 min
-
20
Continue on South Mount Zion Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · South Mount Zion Road
-
21
Continue on North State Route 121
1.5 mi · 2 min · North State Route 121
-
22
Turn right onto West Main Street
1603 ft · 37 sec · West Main Street
-
23
Turn left onto North Henderson Street
20 m · 3 sec · North Henderson Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Henderson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Mount Zion.
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
111 mi · 02h 00m
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 Sunny near Mount Zion.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to Mount Zion?
The road trip is about 198.4 miles (319.3 km) and usually takes 03h 53m 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 99.2 miles from Des Plaines and 99.2 miles from Mount Zion.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 164.6 miles (264.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.8 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 9:14 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.40 one way or $52.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Des Plaines and Sunny near Mount Zion.
Stop Ideas Near Gilman
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 Gilman.
Gilman
Kankakee
Dwight station
Rantoul
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Mount Zion. Straight-line distance: 164.63 mi (264.94 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 Mount Zion
Human settlement in United States of America
| Population | 5,762 |
| Coordinates | 39.7714300, -88.8742400 |
| Altitude | 211 |
| Country | United States |
End: Mount Zion (-88.87424, 39.77143)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 319 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.40 | $52.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.77 | $59.54 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.58 | $65.16 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $37.13 | $74.26 |
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.