How far is Mount Vernon, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Mount Vernon, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 293.5 miles (472.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 262.3 miles (422.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 20m 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 04h 40m.
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.
The most populous city in Champaign County, Illinois.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Mount Vernon and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Vernon and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on Broadway Street
44 m · 10 sec · Broadway Street
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2
Turn left onto South 9th Street
87 m · 20 sec · South 9th Street
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3
Turn left onto Main Street
2130 ft · 40 sec · Main Street
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4
Turn straight onto Broadway Street
2.2 mi · 4 min · Broadway Street
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5
Take the ramp slight right
1350 ft · 22 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Ken Gray Expressway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
67.5 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
185.5 mi · 3 hr 21 min
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9
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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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
1.8 mi · 3 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
20.8 mi · 26 min · Tri-State Tollway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
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17
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
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18
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
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19
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
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20
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mount Vernon 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 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.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Mount Vernon 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 Mount Vernon to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 293.5 miles (472.4 km) and usually takes 04h 40m 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?
Champaign is a useful midpoint, sitting about 147.3 miles from Mount Vernon and 146.1 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 262.3 miles (422.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.2 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 7:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $48.33 one way or $96.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 92.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Mount Vernon and Showers And Thunderstorms near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Champaign
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 Champaign.
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Danville, Illinois
Mattoon station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mount Vernon and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 262.34 mi (422.19 km).
#1 Mount Vernon
City located near the center of Jefferson County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 14,511 |
| Coordinates | 38.3172700, -88.9031200 |
| Altitude | 156 |
| 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: 472 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $48.33 | $96.66 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $54.83 | $109.65 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $60.47 | $120.94 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $68.08 | $136.15 |
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