How far is Des Plaines, IL from Taylorville, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Taylorville, IL is about 215.6 miles (346.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 186.8 miles (300.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 29m 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 04h 14m.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Plaines and Taylorville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Taylorville.
-
1
Start on Henry Avenue
557 ft · 25 sec · Henry Avenue
-
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
-
5
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
1 km · 1 min
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
2295 ft · 56 sec
-
9
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
119.4 mi · 2 hr 13 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
2.1 mi · 2 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Decatur, Bloomington
1616 ft · 40 sec
-
12
Continue on North 1450 East Road
14.7 mi · 18 min · North 1450 East Road
-
13
Continue on North Walnut Street
22.8 mi · 29 min · North Walnut Street
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward I 72 West: Springfield, Pana
2502 ft · 1 min
-
15
Merge slight left
7 mi · 8 min
-
16
Take the exit slight left toward US 36 East, US 51 South: Decatur, Pana
2607 ft · 1 min
-
17
Keep slight left to continue on US 51 South: Pana
3.4 mi · 4 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right
2218 ft · 54 sec
-
19
Merge left
22.2 mi · 25 min
-
20
Turn right onto Water Street
845 ft · 11 sec · Water Street
-
21
Turn right onto East Park Street
1.4 km · 1 min · East Park Street
-
22
Turn left onto North Walnut Street
1418 ft · 1 min · North Walnut Street
-
23
Turn right onto East Market Street
108 m · 18 sec · East Market Street
-
24
Turn right onto South Main Street
63 m · 9 sec · South Main Street
-
25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Taylorville.
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 leaving Des Plaines and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Taylorville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to Taylorville?
The road trip is about 215.6 miles (346.9 km) and usually takes 04h 14m 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?
Chenoa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 107.7 miles from Des Plaines and 107.8 miles from Taylorville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 186.8 miles (300.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.8 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 8:30 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.50 one way or $71.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Des Plaines and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Taylorville.
Stop Ideas Near Chenoa
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 Chenoa.
Pontiac station
Uptown Station
Dwight station
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Taylorville. Straight-line distance: 186.85 mi (300.7 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 Taylorville
City in Christian County, Illinois
| Population | 10,280 |
| Coordinates | 39.5489400, -89.2945300 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| Country | United States |
End: Taylorville (-89.29453, 39.54894)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 347 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $35.50 | $71.00 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $40.27 | $80.54 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $44.42 | $88.84 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $50.01 | $100.01 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026