How far is Mackinaw, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Mackinaw, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 155.2 miles (249.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 128.6 miles (207 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 12m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 36m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 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 Mackinaw and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mackinaw and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on East Fast Avenue
138 m · 14 sec · East Fast Avenue
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2
Turn right onto North Main Street
1119 ft · 31 sec · North Main Street
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3
Continue on Dee Mac Road
2115 ft · 58 sec · Dee Mac Road
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4
Continue on Dee-Mac Road
3 mi · 5 min · Dee-Mac Road
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5
Continue on Dee-Mac Road
2.6 mi · 4 min · Dee-Mac Road
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6
Turn right
1.5 km · 1 min
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7
Turn right onto County Line Road
2.1 mi · 5 min · County Line Road
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8
At the end of the road, turn left onto County Road 1300 East
1108 ft · 17 sec · County Road 1300 East
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9
Continue on West Martin Drive
1.2 km · 2 min · West Martin Drive
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10
Turn left
125 m · 11 sec
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11
Take the ramp right toward I 74 East
1340 ft · 20 sec
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12
Merge slight left
14 mi · 15 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
1.4 mi · 3 min
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14
Merge slight left
113.6 mi · 2 hr 7 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
-
20
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
-
21
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
-
22
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
-
23
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
-
24
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
-
25
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
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26
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mackinaw 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
Merge slight left
114 mi · 02h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Mackinaw 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 Mackinaw to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 155.2 miles (249.8 km) and usually takes 02h 36m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Dwight is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.6 miles from Mackinaw and 74.6 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 128.6 miles (207 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:18 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.67 one way or $41.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Mackinaw and Sunny near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Dwight
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 Dwight.
Dwight station
Pontiac station
Kankakee
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mackinaw and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 128.63 mi (207.01 km).
#1 Mackinaw
City in Tazewell County, Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 2,430 |
| Coordinates | 40.5369800, -89.3575900 |
| Altitude | 209 |
| 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: 250 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.67 | $41.33 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.31 | $46.61 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.50 | $51.01 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.07 | $58.13 |
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.