Des Plaines to Mammoth Cave: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Des Plaines from Mammoth Cave?

The distance from Des Plaines to Mammoth Cave is 348.1 miles (560.2 km) as the crow flies. Mammoth Cave is located SSE of Des Plaines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 417.7 miles, taking about 8h 24min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 12min. Both are located in United States — Des Plaines in Illinois and Mammoth Cave in Kentucky.

This is a solid day of driving. Be sure to take breaks every 2-3 hours to avoid driver fatigue, and plan your meals ahead of time. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility.

Coordinates come from public place data for Des Plaines and Mammoth Cave. The driving distance is estimated from straight-line distance with a road-factor model, so confirm the route in your navigation app. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.