How far is Macomb, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Macomb, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 244.4 miles (393.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 181.1 miles (291.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 40m 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 03h 50m.
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 Livingston County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Macomb and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Macomb and Des Plaines.
-
1
Start on North Lafayette Street
81 m · 10 sec · North Lafayette Street
-
2
Turn right onto East Carroll Street
125 m · 23 sec · East Carroll Street
-
3
Turn left onto North Randolph Street
126 m · 17 sec · North Randolph Street
-
4
Turn left onto East Calhoun Street
46 m · 4 sec · East Calhoun Street
-
5
Take the exit slight right
2.9 mi · 4 min
-
6
Continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
-
7
Continue on South Monmouth Street
1.2 km · 2 min · South Monmouth Street
-
8
Continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
45.2 mi · 53 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
31.9 mi · 35 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
6.3 mi · 7 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
135 mi · 2 hr 29 min
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
3128 ft · 1 min
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
1156 ft · 28 sec
-
15
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
9.9 mi · 13 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
-
17
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
-
18
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
-
19
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
-
20
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
-
21
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
-
22
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
-
23
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
-
24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Macomb 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 88 East
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
135 mi · 02h 29m
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 leaving Macomb 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 Macomb to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 244.4 miles (393.3 km) and usually takes 03h 50m 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?
Round Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122 miles from Macomb and 122.3 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 181.1 miles (291.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 63.3 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 9:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.51 one way or $65.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Macomb and Mostly Sunny near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Round Grove
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 Round Grove.
Princeton
Kewanee
Moline, Illinois
Rock Island, IL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Macomb and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 181.13 mi (291.5 km).
#1 Macomb
City in and the county seat of McDonough County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 17,206 |
| Coordinates | 40.4592100, -90.6718000 |
| Altitude | 215 |
| 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: 393 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.51 | $65.01 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.66 | $73.32 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.12 | $80.23 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.72 | $91.44 |
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.