How far is Rock Island, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Rock Island, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 180.9 miles (291.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 143.5 miles (231 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 39m 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 49m.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rock Island and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rock Island and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on 15th Street
757 ft · 33 sec · 15th Street
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2
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
1.6 mi · 4 min · 5th Avenue
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3
Continue on 38th Street
922 ft · 32 sec · 38th Street
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4
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
2834 ft · 1 min · 7th Avenue
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5
Continue on 5th Avenue
2336 ft · 1 min · 5th Avenue
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6
Continue on 5th Avenue
1820 ft · 54 sec · 5th Avenue
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7
Turn straight onto 6th Avenue
1635 ft · 53 sec · 6th Avenue
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8
Turn right onto 14th Street
100 m · 15 sec · 14th Street
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9
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
1989 ft · 1 min · 7th Avenue
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10
Turn right onto 19th Street
21 m · 1 sec · 19th Street
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11
Take the ramp slight right
1788 ft · 44 sec
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12
Merge slight left
2.3 mi · 3 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward IL 5 East
1448 ft · 36 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto John Deere Road
10.6 mi · 16 min · John Deere Road
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15
Keep slight left
1799 ft · 24 sec
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16
Continue straight
43.8 mi · 47 min
-
17
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
91 mi · 1 hr 41 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
3128 ft · 1 min
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20
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
1156 ft · 28 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
9.9 mi · 13 min · Tri-State Tollway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
-
23
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
-
24
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
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25
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
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26
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
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27
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
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28
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
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29
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rock Island 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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Rock Island 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 Rock Island to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 180.9 miles (291.2 km) and usually takes 02h 49m 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 85.4 miles from Rock Island and 95.5 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 143.5 miles (231 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.4 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 12:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.10 one way or $48.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Rock Island and Mostly Sunny 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 Rock Island and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 143.52 mi (230.98 km).
#1 Rock Island
City in Illinois
| Population | 36,870 |
| Coordinates | 41.5094800, -90.5787500 |
| Altitude | 171 |
| 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: 291 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.10 | $48.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.18 | $54.35 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.74 | $59.48 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.89 | $67.79 |
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.