How far is Elsah, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Elsah, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 298.3 miles (480.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 249.2 miles (401.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST.
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 56m.
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.
Township in McLean County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elsah and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elsah and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on Mill Street
2003 ft · 55 sec · Mill Street
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2
Continue on Elsah Road
2.8 mi · 7 min · Elsah Road
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3
At the end of the road, turn right
3.1 mi · 6 min
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4
Turn left onto McClusky Road
8.2 mi · 15 min · McClusky Road
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto South State Street
14.5 mi · 17 min · South State Street
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6
Continue on United States Route 67
8.1 mi · 9 min · United States Route 67
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7
Continue on South Main Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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8
Continue on South State Avenue
2.4 mi · 3 min · South State Avenue
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9
Continue on South State Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · South State Street
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10
Continue on 1440 E
2.3 mi · 3 min · 1440 E
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11
Continue on Main Street
11.9 mi · 13 min · Main Street
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 72 East: Quincy
3068 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left
50.5 mi · 55 min
-
14
Continue straight
20.5 mi · 22 min
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
120.8 mi · 2 hr 14 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
21
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
-
22
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
-
23
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
-
24
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
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25
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
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26
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
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27
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
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28
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elsah and Des Plaines.
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 55 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
121 mi · 02h 14m
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.
Sunny leaving Elsah and Mostly Sunny near Des Plaines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elsah to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 298.3 miles (480.1 km) and usually takes 04h 56m 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?
Funks Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 149.8 miles from Elsah and 148.5 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 249.2 miles (401.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:08 AM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $48.51 one way or $97.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Elsah and Mostly Sunny near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Funks Grove
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
City Hall - Town of Normal
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Funks Grove.
Uptown Station
Lincoln
Peoria, Illinois
Pontiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elsah and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 249.24 mi (401.12 km).
#1 Elsah
Township in Jersey County, Illinois
| Population | 604 |
| Coordinates | 38.9561600, -90.3598400 |
| Altitude | 132 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Des Plaines
The most populous city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 58,179 |
| Coordinates | 42.0333600, -87.8834000 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
End: Henry Avenue (-87.883408, 42.033456)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 480 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.61 | $48.51 | $97.02 |
| Mid-grade | $5.24 | $55.18 | $110.35 |
| Premium | $5.79 | $61.01 | $122.02 |
| Diesel | $6.59 | $69.41 | $138.83 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026