How far is Millstadt, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
Fastest route
The route from Millstadt, Illinois 62260 to Des Plaines, Illinois is approximately 306 miles (492 kilometers) long and takes around 4 hours and 38 minutes by car. The fastest route includes taking I-55 N and I-294 N, with some tolls on the way.
Directions 🚗
- Head east on W Washington St toward N Jefferson St.
- Turn left at the 1st cross street onto IL-163 N/N Jefferson St.
- Continue to follow IL-163 N and turn right onto IL-157 N/IL-163 N.
- Turn right onto IL-13 E/IL-157 N/Old St Louis Rd.
- At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto S 88th St.
- Turn left to merge onto IL-15 W/New Missouri Ave toward E St. Louis.
- Use the right lane to take the Interstate 255 N/U.S. 50 N ramp to Chicago.
- Follow I-55 N to W Touhy Ave in Maine Township. Take the Touhy Ave exit from I-294 N.
- Merge onto I-255 N/US-50 E and continue to follow I-255 N.
- Take exit 25A to merge onto I-55 N/I-70 E toward Chicago/Indianapolis.
- Keep right at the fork to stay on I-55 N, following signs for I-72 E/Chicago/Decatur.
- Keep right at the fork to stay on I-55 N, following signs for Interstate 55 N/Chicago.
- Take exit 277A to merge onto I-294 N toward Wisconsin. (Toll road)
- Use the left lane to stay on I-294 N. (Toll road)
- Keep left to stay on I-294 N. (Toll road)
- Use the 2nd from the right lane to take the Touhy Ave exit. (Toll road)
- Keep left at the fork to continue toward W Touhy Ave. (Toll road)
- Keep left at the fork to continue on Exit 42B, follow signs for W Touhy Ave, and merge onto W Touhy Ave. (Toll road)
- Take Des Plaines River Rd/S River Rd to Henry Ave in Des Plaines.
- Turn right onto Des Plaines River Rd/S River Rd.
Tips & Suggestions 🚀
- 🛣️ Plan for tolls on the route.
- ⛽ Make sure your car has enough fuel for the journey.
- 🚗 Take regular breaks during the long drive to stay fresh and alert.
- 📱 Use a GPS navigation app to stay on track.
- 🍴 Pack some snacks and water for the journey.
FAQs
Q: How long is the drive from Millstadt, Illinois to Des Plaines, Illinois? A: The drive is approximately 306 miles or 492 kilometers, and it takes around 4 hours and 38 minutes.
Q: Are there any tolls on the route? A: Yes, there are tolls on the route.
Q: Can I use a GPS navigation app to follow the directions? A: Absolutely! Using a GPS navigation app will help you stay on track and navigate the route easily.
Q: Are there places to stop for food and rest along the way? A: Yes, there are various rest stops, gas stations, and restaurants along the route where you can take a break, grab some food, or refuel.
Q: Is there heavy traffic expected on this route? A: Traffic conditions can vary, so it's advisable to check for real-time traffic updates before starting your journey to avoid potential delays.
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 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.
Village in McLean County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Millstadt and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Millstadt and Des Plaines.
-
1
Start on West Washington Street
10 m · 6 sec · West Washington Street
-
2
Turn left onto North Jefferson Street
7 mi · 12 min · North Jefferson Street
-
3
Turn right onto Camp Jackson Road
152 m · 10 sec · Camp Jackson Road
-
4
Continue on Old Missouri Avenue
2309 ft · 49 sec · Old Missouri Avenue
-
5
Turn right
1937 ft · 37 sec
-
6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Old Saint Louis Road
57 m · 4 sec · South 88th Street
-
7
Exit the roundabout onto South 88th Street
1.3 km · 1 min · South 88th Street
-
8
Take the ramp left
938 ft · 27 sec
-
9
Merge slight left onto New Missouri Avenue
1.3 km · 57 sec · New Missouri Avenue
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 255 North, US 50 North: Chicago
1 km · 1 min
-
11
Merge slight left
7.2 mi · 8 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North, I 70 East: Indianapolis, Chicago
1.2 km · 2 min
-
13
Merge slight left
8.3 mi · 10 min
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
107.9 mi · 1 hr 57 min
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
120.8 mi · 2 hr 14 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
-
18
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
-
19
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
20
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
21
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
-
22
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
-
23
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
-
24
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
-
25
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
-
26
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
-
27
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
-
28
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
-
29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Millstadt 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 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 Millstadt 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 Millstadt to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 306.6 miles (493.4 km) and usually takes 04h 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?
McLean is a useful midpoint, sitting about 153.2 miles from Millstadt and 153.5 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 272.8 miles (439.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.8 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 7:18 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.80 one way or $81.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 96.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Millstadt and Mostly Sunny near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near McLean
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to McLean.
Lincoln
Uptown Station
Peoria, Illinois
Springfield station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Millstadt and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 272.87 mi (439.14 km).
#1 Millstadt
Village in St.
| Population | 3,821 |
| Coordinates | 38.4614400, -90.0917800 |
| Altitude | 188 |
| 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: 493 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $40.80 | $81.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $46.02 | $92.03 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $50.36 | $100.71 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $57.39 | $114.78 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.