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

The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Winchester, IL is about 255.6 miles (411.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 213.7 miles (343.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
255.65 mi
04h 49m
Flight
213.68 mi
343.89 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Des Plaines.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
213.68 mi
Kilometers
343.89 km
Flight Time
00h 25m

Driving Distance

Road route
255.65 mi
Kilometers
411.43 km
Drive Time
04h 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 04h 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Winchester
Tue, May 19, 1:58 PM CDT
Return by in Des Plaines
Tue, May 19, 6:48 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Des Plaines
2026-05-19T09:09
Arrive Winchester
Tue, May 19, 1:58 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:49 AM to 12:49 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:22 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Des Plaines
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Towanda
IL

Township in McLean County, Illinois

From Des Plaines
127.8 mi
02h 24m
To Winchester
127.9 mi
02h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Tue, May 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 25 mph SW
Destination
79°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    119.4 mi · 2 hr 13 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

  10. 10

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

    64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville

    45.4 mi · 49 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 106: Winchester

    2127 ft · 52 sec

  13. 13

    Turn straight onto Old US Route 36

    2178 ft · 42 sec · Old US Route 36

  14. 14

    Turn straight onto Old Route 36

    3.5 mi · 5 min · Old Route 36

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Illinois Route 106

    762 ft · 15 sec · Illinois Route 106

  16. 16

    Continue on West Cherry Street

    3273 ft · 1 min · West Cherry Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Cherry Street

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
119 mi · 47%
I 55 South
65.3 mi · 26%
I 72 West
45.4 mi · 18%
Tri-State Tollway
17.5 mi · 7%
Old Route 36
3.53 mi · 1%
South Des Plaines River Road
1.77 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 49m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+41.9 mi
213.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Towanda
02h 24m from Des Plaines
Leave By
7:22 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Des Plaines and Showers And Thunderstorms near Winchester.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 255.6 miles (411.4 km) and usually takes 04h 49m 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?

Towanda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 127.8 miles from Des Plaines and 127.9 miles from Winchester.

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

The direct path is about 213.7 miles (343.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.9 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 7:22 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.01 one way or $68.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Des Plaines and Showers And Thunderstorms near Winchester.

Stop Ideas Near Towanda

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Towanda and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 5.1 mi away

City Hall - Town of Normal

Normal , IL
11 Uptown Circle, Normal, IL 61761
Parking lot
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Meeting point 7 mi away

City of Bloomington, Illinois

Bloomington , IL
109 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
Rating 3.6/5 8 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 7 mi away

Bloomington Finance Department

Bloomington , IL
109 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
City tax office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Towanda.

RAIL

Uptown Station

9 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Pontiac station

41 mi away
721 West Washington St.
RAIL

Lincoln

61 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
BUS

Peoria, Illinois

68 mi away
6100 West Everett M. Dirksen Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Winchester. Straight-line distance: 213.68 mi (343.89 km).

Des Plaines

#1 Des Plaines

The most populous city in Cook County, Illinois.

Population58,179
Coordinates42.0333600, -87.8834000
Altitude193
CountryUnited States
Winchester

#2 Winchester

County seat of Scott County, Illinois, USA

Population1,466
Coordinates39.6297700, -90.4562400
Altitude165
CountryUnited States
Start: Des Plaines (-87.8834, 42.03336)
End: Winchester (-90.45624, 39.62977)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 411 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 31m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 23m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 15m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 11m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.02 gal
34.15 L · about $34.01
Round trip
$68.03
18.04 gal · 68.3 L
Estimated CO2
80.2 kg one way
Round trip: 160.3 kg / 353 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $34.01 $68.03
Mid-grade $4.25 $38.36 $76.72
Premium $4.65 $41.98 $83.96
Diesel $5.30 $47.84 $95.68

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 · May 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Des Plaines and Winchester. The current time is 09:09:34.

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.