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

The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Washburn, IL is about 137.1 miles (220.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 106 miles (170.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
137.15 mi
02h 49m
Flight
106 mi
170.59 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Des Plaines.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
106 mi
Kilometers
170.59 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
137.15 mi
Kilometers
220.72 km
Drive Time
02h 49m

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 02h 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Washburn
Fri, Apr 17, 1:01 PM CDT
Return by in Des Plaines
Fri, Apr 17, 3:51 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Des Plaines
2026-04-17T10:12
Arrive Washburn
Fri, Apr 17, 1:01 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:49 AM to 12:49 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:52 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Des Plaines
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Nettle Creek
IL

Township in Grundy County, Illinois

From Des Plaines
68.5 mi
01h 24m
To Washburn
68.6 mi
01h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Friday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SSE
Destination
83°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 17 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis

    1 km · 1 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis

    2295 ft · 56 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway

    25.9 mi · 32 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West: Iowa

    1.3 km · 1 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    47.2 mi · 51 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Normal, Bloomington

    2489 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    23.6 mi · 25 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 17: Lacon, Wenona

    2136 ft · 52 sec

  15. 15

    Turn straight onto 700 North Road

    9.1 mi · 13 min · 700 North Road

  16. 16

    Turn left onto 2160 E Rd

    3 mi · 5 min · 2160 E Rd

  17. 17

    Continue on Main Street

    5.4 mi · 10 min · Main Street

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on North Jefferson Street

    1857 ft · 37 sec · North Jefferson Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Jefferson Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
19 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 West
48 mi · 35%
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
25.9 mi · 19%
I 39 South
24.1 mi · 18%
Tri-State Tollway
17.5 mi · 13%
700 North Road
9.05 mi · 7%
Main Street
5.41 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

I 80 West

Merge slight left

47.2 mi · 00h 51m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+31.1 mi
106 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Nettle Creek
01h 24m from Des Plaines
Leave By
12:52 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Des Plaines and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Washburn.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 137.1 miles (220.7 km) and usually takes 02h 49m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Nettle Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 68.5 miles from Des Plaines and 68.6 miles from Washburn.

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

The direct path is about 106 miles (170.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:52 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.25 one way or $36.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Des Plaines and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Washburn.

Stop Ideas Near Nettle Creek

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

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

RAIL

Plano

25 mi away
101 West Main Street
RAIL

Dwight station

41 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

43 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street
RAIL

Mendota station

46 mi away
783 Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Washburn. Straight-line distance: 106 mi (170.59 km).

Des Plaines

#1 Des Plaines

The most populous city in Cook County, Illinois.

Population58,179
Coordinates42.0333600, -87.8834000
Altitude193
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Washburn

Village mostly in Woodford County, Illinois, USA

Population1,064
Coordinates40.9192000, -89.2912000
Altitude210
CountryUnited States
Start: Des Plaines (-87.8834, 42.03336)
End: Washburn (-89.2912, 40.9192)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 221 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 34m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 44m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 17m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 57m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.84 gal
18.32 L · about $18.25
Round trip
$36.50
9.68 gal · 36.64 L
Estimated CO2
43 kg one way
Round trip: 86 kg / 190 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $18.25 $36.50
Mid-grade $4.25 $20.58 $41.17
Premium $4.65 $22.53 $45.05
Diesel $5.30 $25.67 $51.34

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Des Plaines and Washburn. The current time is 10:12:19.

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.