How far is Des Plaines, IL from Shields, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Shields, IL is about 279.7 miles (450.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 250.2 miles (402.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 43m 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 51m.
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.
City in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Plaines and Shields.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Shields.
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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
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
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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
183.5 mi · 3 hr 18 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 45: Sigel, Effingham
1753 ft · 35 sec
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16
Turn left
1.9 mi · 3 min
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17
Turn right onto East Fayette Avenue
1123 ft · 33 sec · East Fayette Avenue
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18
Turn left onto South Banker Street
14.9 mi · 22 min · South Banker Street
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19
Continue on County Road 925 East
16.2 mi · 24 min · County Road 925 East
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20
Turn slight right
39 m · 5 sec
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21
Merge slight left
7.5 mi · 9 min
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22
Turn left onto Xenia Iola Road
1425 ft · 40 sec · Xenia Iola Road
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23
Continue on Church Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Church Street
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24
Continue on Front Street
635 ft · 23 sec · Front Street
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25
Turn left onto South Main Street
887 ft · 24 sec · South Main Street
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26
Keep slight left to continue on South Main Street
58 m · 5 sec · South Main Street
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27
Continue on Fairfield Street
999 ft · 27 sec · Fairfield Street
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28
Continue on Fairfield Road
1.6 mi · 4 min · Fairfield Road
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29
Continue on County Highway 13
1304 ft · 36 sec · County Highway 13
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30
Continue on County Road 300E
1.2 km · 2 min · County Road 300E
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31
Keep slight right to continue on County Highway 13
1.5 mi · 4 min · County Highway 13
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32
Continue on County Road 250E
4.8 mi · 11 min · County Road 250E
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33
Continue on County Highway 13
3.2 mi · 8 min · County Highway 13
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34
Turn right onto County Road 1420N
1.4 km · 2 min · County Road 1420N
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35
Continue on County Road 1430N
1125 ft · 31 sec · County Road 1430N
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36
Continue on County Highway 15
1794 ft · 49 sec · County Highway 15
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37
Continue on County Road 1450N
1.2 km · 2 min · County Road 1450N
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38
Continue on County Highway 15
2659 ft · 1 min · County Highway 15
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39
Continue on East Depeche Road
1.1 km · 2 min · East Depeche Road
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40
Turn slight right onto 2350 North
570 ft · 31 sec · 2350 North
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41
Turn left onto North Papertown Lane
14 m · 2 sec · North Papertown Lane
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42
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Papertown Lane
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Shields.
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
183 mi · 03h 18m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Des Plaines and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Shields.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to Shields?
The road trip is about 279.7 miles (450.2 km) and usually takes 05h 51m 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?
Thomasboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 139.9 miles from Des Plaines and 139.7 miles from Shields.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 250.2 miles (402.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.5 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 5:16 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.22 one way or $74.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Des Plaines and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Shields.
Stop Ideas Near Thomasboro
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 Thomasboro.
Rantoul
Illinois Terminal
Danville, Illinois
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Shields. Straight-line distance: 250.21 mi (402.67 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 Shields
Township in Lake County, Illinois
| Population | 36,451 |
| Coordinates | 38.4678300, -88.7133900 |
| Altitude | 150 |
| Country | United States |
End: Shields (-88.71339, 38.46783)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 450 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $37.22 | $74.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $41.98 | $83.95 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $45.93 | $91.87 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $52.35 | $104.70 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.