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

The driving distance from Alden, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 62.3 miles (100.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 43.8 miles (70.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 32m 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
62.31 mi
01h 16m
Flight
43.79 mi
70.47 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Alden.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
43.79 mi
Kilometers
70.47 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
62.31 mi
Kilometers
100.28 km
Drive Time
01h 16m

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 01h 16m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Des Plaines
Wed, Apr 15, 10:57 PM CDT
Return by in Alden
Thu, Apr 16, 12:13 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Alden
2026-04-15T21:40
Arrive Des Plaines
Wed, Apr 15, 10:57 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 16m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:16 AM to 11:16 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:58 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Alden
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
Volo
IL

Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America

From Alden
26.8 mi
00h 38m
To Des Plaines
35.4 mi
00h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Tonight

Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 8:00 PM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SSW
Destination
74°F
Today

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 7:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Alden Road

    3 m · 4 sec · Alden Road

  2. 2

    Turn right

    11.2 mi · 16 min

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    2 mi · 2 min · North Main Street

  4. 4

    Continue straight

    12.4 mi · 15 min

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    1.1 mi · 1 min

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    1576 ft · 26 sec

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    575 ft · 7 sec

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    1.7 mi · 2 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    1.1 mi · 1 min

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    22.8 mi · 35 min

  11. 11

    Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · South Des Plaines River Road

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Henry Avenue

    557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
13 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North Main Street
41.5 mi · 67%
South Des Plaines River Road
0.99 mi · 2%
Henry Avenue
0.11 mi
Alden Road
0 mi
Longest Stretch

North Main Street

Continue straight

22.8 mi · 00h 35m

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
01h 16m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.5 mi
43.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Volo
00h 38m from Alden
Leave By
3:58 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Alden 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 Alden to Des Plaines?

The road trip is about 62.3 miles (100.3 km) and usually takes 01h 16m 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?

Volo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.8 miles from Alden and 35.4 miles from Des Plaines.

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

The direct path is about 43.8 miles (70.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.5 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 3:58 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.30 one way or $16.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Alden and Showers And Thunderstorms near Des Plaines.

Stop Ideas Near Volo

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Volo, 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 Volo.

RAIL

Glenview station

41 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

Sturtevant station

49 mi away
9900 East Exploration Court
RAIL

Naperville

61 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

La Grange Road

62 mi away
25 West Burlington St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Alden and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 43.79 mi (70.47 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Alden

Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America

Population1,344
Coordinates42.4589100, -88.5178800
Altitude306
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: IL 173 (-88.517875, 42.45894)
End: Henry Avenue (-87.883408, 42.033456)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 100 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 02m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 53m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 46m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.2 gal
8.32 L · about $8.30
Round trip
$16.59
4.4 gal · 16.64 L
Estimated CO2
19.6 kg one way
Round trip: 39.1 kg / 86 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $8.30 $16.59
Mid-grade $4.25 $9.36 $18.71
Premium $4.65 $10.24 $20.48
Diesel $5.30 $11.67 $23.34

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Alden and Des Plaines. The current time is 21:40:51.

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.