How far is Freeburg, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Freeburg, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 312.5 miles (503 km), with a travel time of about 04h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 271.2 miles (436.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 50m 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 55m.
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.
Village in McLean County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Freeburg and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Freeburg and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on North Main Street
2797 ft · 2 min · North Main Street
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2
Turn left
6.4 mi · 7 min
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3
Take the exit slight right
1491 ft · 38 sec
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4
Turn right onto South Illinois Street
1.6 km · 2 min · South Illinois Street
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Illinois Street
54 m · 4 sec · North Illinois Street
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6
Exit the rotary onto North Illinois Street
9.8 mi · 15 min · North Illinois Street
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7
Continue on South Morrison Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Morrison Avenue
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8
Continue on Vandalia Street
2.8 mi · 5 min · Vandalia Street
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9
Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North, I 70 East
2235 ft · 55 sec
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10
Merge slight left
3.8 mi · 4 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
107.9 mi · 1 hr 57 min
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
120.8 mi · 2 hr 14 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
-
20
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
-
21
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
-
22
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
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23
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
-
24
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
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25
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Freeburg and Des Plaines.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Freeburg and Partly Sunny near Des Plaines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Freeburg to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 312.5 miles (503 km) and usually takes 04h 55m 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?
McLean is a useful midpoint, sitting about 152.9 miles from Freeburg and 159.6 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 271.2 miles (436.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.3 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 7:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.59 one way or $83.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 98 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Freeburg and Partly Sunny near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near McLean
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
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to McLean.
Lincoln
Uptown Station
Peoria, Illinois
Springfield station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Freeburg and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 271.16 mi (436.39 km).
#1 Freeburg
City in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 4,223 |
| Coordinates | 38.4275500, -89.9137100 |
| Altitude | 155 |
| 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: 503 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $41.59 | $83.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $46.91 | $93.82 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $51.33 | $102.67 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $58.50 | $117.01 |
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 · Apr 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.