How far is Moline, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Moline, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 163.8 miles (263.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 140.4 miles (226 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 20m 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 40m.
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 Lee County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Moline and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Moline and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on 5th Avenue
1231 ft · 37 sec · 5th Avenue
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2
Turn right onto 19th Street
859 ft · 29 sec · 19th Street
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3
Take the ramp slight right
1788 ft · 44 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Grand Army of the Republic Highway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward IL 5 East
1448 ft · 36 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto John Deere Road
10.6 mi · 16 min · John Deere Road
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7
Keep slight left
1799 ft · 24 sec
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8
Continue straight
43.8 mi · 47 min
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9
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
91 mi · 1 hr 41 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
3128 ft · 1 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
1156 ft · 28 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
9.9 mi · 13 min · Tri-State Tollway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
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18
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
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19
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
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20
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
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21
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Moline and Des Plaines.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
91 mi · 01h 41m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Moline and Showers And Thunderstorms near Des Plaines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Moline to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 163.8 miles (263.6 km) and usually takes 02h 40m 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?
Ashton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.6 miles from Moline and 80.2 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 140.4 miles (226 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.4 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 1:10 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.96 one way or $53.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Moline and Showers And Thunderstorms near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Ashton
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 Ashton.
Mendota station
Rockford, Illinois
Princeton
Plano
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Moline and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 140.4 mi (225.96 km).
#1 Moline
The largest city in Rock Island County, Illinois.
| Population | 41,065 |
| Coordinates | 41.5067000, -90.5151300 |
| Altitude | 176 |
| 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: 264 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $26.96 | $53.93 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $30.59 | $61.18 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $33.74 | $67.48 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $37.98 | $75.96 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026