How far is Mount Zion, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Mount Zion, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 201.8 miles (324.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 164.6 miles (264.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 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 20m.
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.
Human settlement in Iroquois County, Illinois, United States of America
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 Mount Zion and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Zion and Des Plaines.
-
1
Start on North Henderson Street
20 m · 5 sec · North Henderson Street
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2
Turn right onto West Main Street
1628 ft · 33 sec · West Main Street
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3
Turn slight left onto South State Route 121
1.6 mi · 2 min · South State Route 121
-
4
Continue on South Mount Zion Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · South Mount Zion Road
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5
Turn left
3.1 mi · 5 min
-
6
Turn right onto North 22nd Street
3.9 mi · 6 min · North 22nd Street
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7
Continue straight
1.6 km · 1 min
-
8
Take the ramp right toward I-72 East: Champaign
1 km · 1 min
-
9
Merge slight left
36.9 mi · 40 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 57 North: Chicago
1520 ft · 43 sec
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11
Merge slight left
113.8 mi · 2 hr 4 min
-
12
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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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
1.8 mi · 3 min
-
14
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
20.8 mi · 26 min · Tri-State Tollway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 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
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mount Zion 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
Merge slight left
114 mi · 02h 04m
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 Mount Zion 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 Mount Zion to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 201.8 miles (324.7 km) and usually takes 03h 20m 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?
Gilman is a useful midpoint, sitting about 100.7 miles from Mount Zion and 101.1 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 164.6 miles (264.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.2 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 10:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.85 one way or $53.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Mount Zion and Mostly Sunny near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Gilman
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 Gilman.
Gilman
Kankakee
Dwight station
Rantoul
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mount Zion and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 164.63 mi (264.94 km).
#1 Mount Zion
Human settlement in United States of America
| Population | 5,762 |
| Coordinates | 39.7714300, -88.8742400 |
| Altitude | 211 |
| 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: 325 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.85 | $53.70 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $30.28 | $60.56 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $33.14 | $66.27 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $37.76 | $75.53 |
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.