How far is Des Plaines, IL from Washington, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Washington, IL is about 147.5 miles (237.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 121.2 miles (195 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 15m 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 03h 07m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Village in Illinois, United States
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 Washington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Washington.
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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
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
90.1 mi · 1 hr 42 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 24: Chenoa, El Paso
2279 ft · 58 sec
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11
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 3100 North Road
6.7 mi · 9 min · East 3100 North Road
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12
Continue on East Gridley Road
9.2 mi · 14 min · East Gridley Road
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13
Continue on County Road 1000 North
11.8 mi · 17 min · County Road 1000 North
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14
Continue on East Center Street
2 mi · 3 min · East Center Street
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15
Continue on US Highway 24
1762 ft · 34 sec · US Highway 24
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16
Turn left onto County Road 1200 East
1.5 km · 2 min · County Road 1200 East
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17
Continue on County Road 800 North
1.6 km · 2 min · County Road 800 North
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18
Continue on Eureka Road
3 mi · 5 min · Eureka Road
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19
Continue on Walnut Street
1 mi · 2 min · Walnut Street
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Peoria Street
91 m · 16 sec · Peoria Street
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21
Exit the roundabout onto Peoria Street
47 m · 7 sec · Peoria Street
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22
Turn right
28 m · 7 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Washington.
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
90.1 mi · 01h 42m
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 Washington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to Washington?
The road trip is about 147.5 miles (237.4 km) and usually takes 03h 07m 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?
Gardner is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.8 miles from Des Plaines and 73.8 miles from Washington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 121.2 miles (195 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.3 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 10:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.65 one way or $39.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Des Plaines and Sunny near Washington.
Stop Ideas Near Gardner
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 Gardner.
Dwight station
Kankakee
Joliet Transportation Center
Pontiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Washington. Straight-line distance: 121.17 mi (195.01 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 Washington
City in Tazewell County, Illinois
| Population | 16,395 |
| Coordinates | 40.7036500, -89.4073100 |
| Altitude | 232 |
| Country | United States |
End: Washington (-89.40731, 40.70365)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 237 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $19.65 | $39.29 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $22.16 | $44.32 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $24.25 | $48.49 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $27.63 | $55.27 |
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.