How far is South Pekin, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from South Pekin, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 173.3 miles (278.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 140.5 miles (226.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 52m 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 56m.
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.
Township in Livingston County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Pekin and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Pekin and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on East Main Street
1 km · 2 min · East Main Street
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2
Turn right
5.5 mi · 10 min
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3
Turn slight right onto IL 29
51 m · 6 sec
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4
Turn slight right onto Margaret Street
1266 ft · 27 sec · Margaret Street
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5
Turn left onto North 5th Street
2478 ft · 42 sec · North 5th Street
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6
Continue on North 8th Street
3002 ft · 51 sec · North 8th Street
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7
Continue on Radio City Drive
3.5 mi · 5 min · Radio City Drive
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8
Take the ramp slight right
2974 ft · 1 min
-
9
Merge slight left
4.8 mi · 5 min
-
10
Merge slight left
27 mi · 29 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
1.4 mi · 3 min
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12
Merge slight left
113.6 mi · 2 hr 7 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
-
19
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
-
20
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
-
21
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
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22
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
-
23
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
-
24
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Pekin 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 55 North
Merge slight left
114 mi · 02h 07m
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 Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving South Pekin and Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Des Plaines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from South Pekin to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 173.3 miles (278.9 km) and usually takes 02h 56m 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?
Odell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.9 miles from South Pekin and 83.4 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 140.5 miles (226.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:38 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.04 one way or $46.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around South Pekin and Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Odell
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 Odell.
Dwight station
Pontiac station
Gilman
Kankakee
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Pekin and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 140.49 mi (226.1 km).
#1 South Pekin
Village in Illinois, USA
| Population | 1,081 |
| Coordinates | 40.4944800, -89.6517700 |
| Altitude | 157 |
| 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: 279 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.04 | $46.08 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.99 | $51.97 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.44 | $56.87 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.41 | $64.81 |
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 · Jun 10, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.