How far is Des Plaines, IL from Petersburg, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Petersburg, IL is about 295.3 miles (475.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 260.9 miles (419.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 13m 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 36m.
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 McLean County, Illinois
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 Petersburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Petersburg.
-
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
77.9 mi · 1 hr 24 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward IL 159 South: Collinsville
1434 ft · 48 sec
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13
Continue on Vandalia Street
3 mi · 5 min · Vandalia Street
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14
Continue on South Morrison Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Morrison Avenue
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15
Continue on North Illinois Street
3.9 mi · 6 min · North Illinois Street
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16
Take the ramp slight right toward I 64, US 50 East: Mount Vernon
1572 ft · 38 sec
-
17
Merge slight left
1.7 mi · 2 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward O'Fallon
1833 ft · 45 sec
-
19
Keep slight left to continue on O'Fallon, Hartman Lane
66 m · 5 sec
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20
Keep slight left to continue on O'Fallon
81 m · 9 sec
-
21
Turn left onto West Highway 50
1.2 km · 1 min · West Highway 50
-
22
Turn left onto West State Street
1043 ft · 29 sec · West State Street
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23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward W State Street
21 m · 3 sec · W State Street
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24
Exit the roundabout onto W State Street
2142 ft · 1 min · W State Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Petersburg.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Des Plaines and Sunny near Petersburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to Petersburg?
The road trip is about 295.3 miles (475.2 km) and usually takes 05h 36m 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?
Funks Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 147.7 miles from Des Plaines and 147.6 miles from Petersburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 260.9 miles (419.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.4 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 5:46 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.29 one way or $78.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 92.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Des Plaines and Sunny near Petersburg.
Stop Ideas Near Funks Grove
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 Funks Grove.
Uptown Station
Lincoln
Peoria, Illinois
Pontiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Petersburg. Straight-line distance: 260.85 mi (419.8 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 Petersburg
City in Menard County, Illinois
| Population | 2,207 |
| Coordinates | 38.5922700, -89.9212100 |
| Altitude | 167 |
| Country | United States |
End: Petersburg (-89.92121, 38.59227)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 475 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.29 | $78.59 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.32 | $88.63 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $48.49 | $96.99 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $55.27 | $110.54 |
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.