How far is Tilton, IL from Des Plaines, IL?

The driving distance from Tilton, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 161.9 miles (260.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 134.5 miles (216.4 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.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
161.89 mi
02h 56m
Flight
134.47 mi
216.41 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Tilton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
134.47 mi
Kilometers
216.41 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
161.89 mi
Kilometers
260.54 km
Drive Time
02h 56m

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.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Des Plaines
Thu, Apr 23, 5:10 AM CDT
Return by in Tilton
Thu, Apr 23, 8:07 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Tilton
2026-04-23T02:14
Arrive Des Plaines
Thu, Apr 23, 5:10 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:56 AM to 12:56 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:38 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Tilton
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Clifton
IL

Village in Chebanse Township, Iroquois County, Illinois, USA

From Tilton
91.3 mi
01h 28m
To Des Plaines
70.6 mi
01h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 17 mph S
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Tilton and Des Plaines.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Tilton and Des Plaines.

  1. 1

    Start on Central Avenue

    26 m · 6 sec · Central Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Morrison Street

    98 m · 19 sec · Morrison Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Glendale Avenue

    1230 ft · 54 sec · Glendale Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on South G Street

    2603 ft · 2 min · South G Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto 1st Street

    42 m · 4 sec · 1st Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 74 West: Champaign

    961 ft · 12 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    31.8 mi · 35 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit straight toward Neil Street

    1391 ft · 34 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on North Neil Street

    752 ft · 26 sec · North Neil Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto East Marketview Drive

    1336 ft · 38 sec · East Marketview Drive

  11. 11

    At the end of the road, turn left onto North Market Street

    3 mi · 4 min · North Market Street

  12. 12

    Take the ramp right toward I-57 North: Kankakee

    1642 ft · 40 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    108.1 mi · 1 hr 58 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin

    1718 ft · 33 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin

    1.8 mi · 3 min

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    20.8 mi · 26 min · Tri-State Tollway

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue

    635 ft · 16 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue

    2694 ft · 1 min

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West

    688 ft · 17 sec

  21. 21

    Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West

    1799 ft · 44 sec

  22. 22

    Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue

    99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn slight right

    103 m · 9 sec

  24. 24

    Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road

    1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Henry Avenue

    557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Tilton and Des Plaines.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
26 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-57 North
108 mi · 67%
Tri-State Tollway
32.5 mi · 20%
I 74 West
32 mi · 20%
North Market Street
2.99 mi · 2%
I 294 Toll North
1.78 mi · 1%
South Des Plaines River Road
1.71 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I-57 North

Merge slight left

108 mi · 01h 58m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 56m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.4 mi
134.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Clifton
01h 28m from Tilton
Leave By
12:38 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Tilton 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 Tilton to Des Plaines?

The road trip is about 161.9 miles (260.5 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?

Clifton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91.3 miles from Tilton and 70.6 miles from Des Plaines.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 134.5 miles (216.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.4 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 12:38 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.53 one way or $43.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Tilton and Mostly Sunny near Des Plaines.

Stop Ideas Near Clifton

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Clifton, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Clifton.

RAIL

Gilman

20 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.
RAIL

Kankakee

21 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Dwight station

45 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Pontiac station

59 mi away
721 West Washington St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Tilton and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 134.47 mi (216.41 km).

Tilton

#1 Tilton

Human settlement in Vermilion County, Illinois, United States of America

Population2,655
Coordinates40.0953100, -87.6475200
Altitude196
CountryUnited States
Des Plaines

#2 Des Plaines

The most populous city in Cook County, Illinois.

Population58,179
Coordinates42.0333600, -87.8834000
Altitude193
CountryUnited States
Start: Central Avenue (-87.647521, 40.09531)
End: Henry Avenue (-87.883408, 42.033456)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 261 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.71 gal
21.62 L · about $21.53
Round trip
$43.06
11.42 gal · 43.24 L
Estimated CO2
50.7 kg one way
Round trip: 101.5 kg / 224 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.53 $43.06
Mid-grade $4.25 $24.28 $48.57
Premium $4.65 $26.57 $53.15
Diesel $5.30 $30.29 $60.57

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

There is no time difference between Tilton and Des Plaines. The current time is 02:14:21.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.