How far is Independence, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Independence, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 279.6 miles (449.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 230.3 miles (370.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 52m 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 26m.
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.
The second most populous city in McLean County, Illinois.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Independence and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Des Plaines.
-
1
Start on Road 900
79 m · 17 sec · Road 900
-
2
Turn left onto County Highway 7
5 mi · 12 min · County Highway 7
-
3
Continue on Piper Lane
2017 ft · 2 min · Piper Lane
-
4
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Fayette Street
109 m · 18 sec · East Fayette Street
-
5
Turn right onto South Illinois Street
130 m · 24 sec · South Illinois Street
-
6
Turn left onto East Washington Street
123 m · 11 sec · East Washington Street
-
7
Turn right onto North Jackson Street
5.1 mi · 8 min · North Jackson Street
-
8
Take the ramp right toward I 72 East, US 36 East: Springfield
1361 ft · 33 sec
-
9
Merge slight left
76.2 mi · 1 hr 22 min
-
10
Continue straight
20.5 mi · 22 min
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
120.8 mi · 2 hr 14 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
-
15
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
-
18
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
-
19
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
-
20
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
-
21
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
-
22
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
-
23
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
-
24
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
-
25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence 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 Independence 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 Independence to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 279.6 miles (449.9 km) and usually takes 04h 26m 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?
Bloomington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 139.6 miles from Independence and 139.9 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 230.3 miles (370.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.3 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 8:08 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.18 one way or $74.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Independence and Sunny near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Bloomington
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Town of Normal
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bloomington.
Uptown Station
Lincoln
Pontiac station
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 230.26 mi (370.56 km).
#1 Independence
Township in Saline County, Illinois
| Population | 1,044 |
| Coordinates | 39.5314400, -90.7915200 |
| Altitude | 203 |
| 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: 450 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $37.18 | $74.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $41.93 | $83.87 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $45.89 | $91.78 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $52.30 | $104.59 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.