How far is Washington, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Washington, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 148.6 miles (239.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 121.2 miles (195 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 08m 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 34m.
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 Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Washington and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Washington and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on the route
28 m · 12 sec
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2
Turn left onto Peoria Street
47 m · 7 sec · Peoria Street
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Walnut Street
95 m · 17 sec · Walnut Street
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4
Exit the roundabout onto Walnut Street
1 mi · 2 min · Walnut Street
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5
Continue on Eureka Road
3 mi · 5 min · Eureka Road
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6
Continue on County Road 800 North
1.6 km · 2 min · County Road 800 North
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7
Continue on County Road 1200 East
1.5 km · 2 min · County Road 1200 East
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8
Turn right onto US Highway 24
1762 ft · 30 sec · US Highway 24
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9
Continue on West Center Street
2 mi · 3 min · West Center Street
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10
Continue on East State Street
11.8 mi · 17 min · East State Street
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11
Continue on West Main Street
9.2 mi · 15 min · West Main Street
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12
Continue on East 3100 North Road
7 mi · 10 min · East 3100 North Road
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13
Take the ramp right toward I 55 North: Joliet
1762 ft · 43 sec
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14
Merge slight left
90.3 mi · 1 hr 42 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
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22
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
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23
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
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24
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
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25
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
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26
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Washington 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
90.3 mi · 01h 42m
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.
Rain Showers leaving Washington 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 Washington to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 148.6 miles (239.1 km) and usually takes 02h 34m 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?
Gardner is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.2 miles from Washington and 74.4 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 121.2 miles (195 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 1:22 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.44 one way or $48.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Washington and Showers And Thunderstorms near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Gardner
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 Gardner.
Dwight station
Kankakee
Joliet Transportation Center
Pontiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Washington and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 121.17 mi (195.01 km).
#1 Washington
City in Tazewell County, Illinois
| Population | 16,395 |
| Coordinates | 40.7036500, -89.4073100 |
| Altitude | 232 |
| 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: 239 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $24.44 | $48.89 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $27.73 | $55.46 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $30.59 | $61.17 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $34.43 | $68.86 |
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