How far is Harrisburg, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Harrisburg, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 348.2 miles (560.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 298.8 miles (480.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 13m 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 05h 36m.
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.
City in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Harrisburg and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harrisburg and Des Plaines.
-
1
Start on West Poplar Street
27 m · 10 sec · West Poplar Street
-
2
Turn left onto North Main Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Main Street
-
3
Continue straight
30.5 mi · 46 min
-
4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Public Square
124 m · 10 sec · West Main Street
-
5
Exit the rotary onto West Main Street
3144 ft · 55 sec · West Main Street
-
6
Take the ramp slight right
1685 ft · 41 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Ken Gray Expressway
24 mi · 26 min · Ken Gray Expressway
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
67.5 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Ken Gray Expressway
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
185.5 mi · 3 hr 21 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin
1718 ft · 33 sec
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
1.8 mi · 3 min
-
12
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
20.8 mi · 26 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
-
18
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
-
19
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
-
20
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
-
21
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
-
22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Harrisburg 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 57 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
185 mi · 03h 21m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Harrisburg and Sunny near Des Plaines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Harrisburg to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 348.2 miles (560.3 km) and usually takes 05h 36m 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?
Tuscola is a useful midpoint, sitting about 173.9 miles from Harrisburg and 174.3 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 298.8 miles (480.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.4 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 5:46 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $46.35 one way or $92.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 109.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Harrisburg and Sunny near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Tuscola
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 Tuscola.
Illinois Terminal
Mattoon station
Rantoul
Danville, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Harrisburg and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 298.79 mi (480.86 km).
#1 Harrisburg
County seat of Saline County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 8,404 |
| Coordinates | 37.7383800, -88.5406100 |
| Altitude | 121 |
| 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: 560 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $46.35 | $92.69 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $52.27 | $104.54 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $57.20 | $114.40 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $65.19 | $130.37 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.