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

The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Murphysboro, IL is about 349 miles (561.6 km), with a travel time of about 06h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 304.8 miles (490.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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
348.93 mi
06h 39m
Flight
304.81 mi
490.54 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
304.81 mi
Kilometers
490.54 km
Flight Time
00h 36m

Driving Distance

Road route
348.93 mi
Kilometers
561.55 km
Drive Time
06h 39m

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 06h 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Murphysboro
Thu, Apr 23, 7:32 AM CDT
Return by in Des Plaines
Thu, Apr 23, 2:12 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Des Plaines
2026-04-23T00:53
Arrive Murphysboro
Thu, Apr 23, 7:32 AM CDT
Route Timing
06h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
12:39 PM to 2:09 PM CDT

Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

Leave by
10:42 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 08h 00m at the destination.
Back in Des Plaines
8:00 PM CDT
Overnight-style route

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
Tuscola
IL

City in Illinois

From Des Plaines
174.5 mi
03h 19m
To Murphysboro
174.4 mi
03h 19m

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
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    188.4 mi · 3 hr 24 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on I 57 South: Memphis

    65.7 mi · 1 hr 11 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway

    32.7 mi · 35 min · Ken Gray Expressway

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward Johnston City, Herrin

    1506 ft · 39 sec

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Herrin Road

    3.1 mi · 5 min · Herrin Road

  19. 19

    Continue on East Herrin Street

    3.1 mi · 5 min · East Herrin Street

  20. 20

    Continue on Herrin Road

    3.5 mi · 5 min · Herrin Road

  21. 21

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Cambria Road

    11 m · 1 sec · Cambria Road

  22. 22

    Exit the roundabout onto Cambria Road

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Cambria Road

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Russell Street

    11.3 mi · 16 min · Russell Street

  24. 24

    Turn left onto North 2nd Street

    1.4 km · 1 min · North 2nd Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Walnut Street

    2911 ft · 1 min · Walnut Street

  26. 26

    Turn right onto North 11th Street

    20 m · 3 sec · North 11th Street

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North 11th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
27 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
2 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 57 South
255 mi · 73%
Ken Gray Expressway
32.7 mi · 9%
Tri-State Tollway
28.3 mi · 8%
Russell Street
11.3 mi · 3%
Herrin Road
6.59 mi · 2%
Cicero Avenue
4.89 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 57 South

Merge slight left

188 mi · 03h 24m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

Better with a longer stop

This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.

Drive Time
06h 39m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
13h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+44.2 mi
304.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Tuscola
03h 19m from Des Plaines
Leave By
10:42 PM CDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Des Plaines and Mostly Sunny near Murphysboro.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 349 miles (561.6 km) and usually takes 06h 39m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Tuscola is a useful midpoint, sitting about 174.5 miles from Des Plaines and 174.4 miles from Murphysboro.

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

The direct path is about 304.8 miles (490.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.2 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $46.42 one way or $92.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 109.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Tuscola

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

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

RAIL

Illinois Terminal

35 mi away
45 East University Ave.
RAIL

Mattoon station

36 mi away
1718 Broadway Ave.
RAIL

Rantoul

58 mi away
West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.
BUS

Danville, Illinois

66 mi away
379 Lynch Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Murphysboro. Straight-line distance: 304.81 mi (490.54 km).

Des Plaines

#1 Des Plaines

The most populous city in Cook County, Illinois.

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

#2 Murphysboro

Town in Illinois

Population7,384
Coordinates37.7645000, -89.3350900
Altitude128
CountryUnited States
Start: Des Plaines (-87.8834, 42.03336)
End: Murphysboro (-89.33509, 37.7645)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 562 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)11h 37m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 59m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
12.31 gal
46.61 L · about $46.42
Round trip
$92.84
24.62 gal · 93.22 L
Estimated CO2
109.4 kg one way
Round trip: 218.8 kg / 482 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $46.42 $92.84
Mid-grade $4.25 $52.35 $104.71
Premium $4.65 $57.29 $114.58
Diesel $5.30 $65.29 $130.58

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 Murphysboro. The current time is 00:53:38.

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.