How far is Metropolis, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Metropolis, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 380 miles (611.6 km), with a travel time of about 06h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 340.3 miles (547.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 01m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Coles County, Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Metropolis and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Metropolis and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on West 5th Street
14 m · 9 sec · West 5th Street
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2
Turn left onto Ferry Street
2746 ft · 1 min · Ferry Street
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3
Turn left onto West 12th Street
990 ft · 28 sec · West 12th Street
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4
Turn right onto North Avenue
6.2 mi · 10 min · North Avenue
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5
Continue on New Columbia Road
4.3 mi · 6 min · New Columbia Road
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6
Turn right onto Big Bay Road
2365 ft · 41 sec · Big Bay Road
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7
Take the ramp left toward New Columbia, Big Bay
1470 ft · 27 sec
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8
Merge slight left
25.4 mi · 27 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
1935 ft · 47 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Ken Gray Expressway
51.7 mi · 56 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
67.5 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
185.5 mi · 3 hr 21 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin
1718 ft · 33 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
1.8 mi · 3 min
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15
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
20.8 mi · 26 min · Tri-State Tollway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
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21
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
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22
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
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23
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
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24
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Metropolis 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.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Metropolis 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 Metropolis to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 380 miles (611.6 km) and usually takes 06h 01m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Humboldt is a useful midpoint, sitting about 190.1 miles from Metropolis and 189.9 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 340.3 miles (547.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.7 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $50.57 one way or $101.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 119.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Metropolis and Mostly Sunny near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Humboldt
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 Humboldt.
Mattoon station
Effingham
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Metropolis and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 340.33 mi (547.71 km).
#1 Metropolis
Very large and significant city or urban area usually with millions of inhabitants
| Population | 5,885 |
| Coordinates | 37.1511700, -88.7320000 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| 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: 612 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $50.57 | $101.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $57.03 | $114.07 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $62.41 | $124.82 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $71.13 | $142.25 |
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 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.