How far is Arlington Heights, IL from River Forest, IL?
The driving distance from Arlington Heights, IL to River Forest, IL is about 18.5 miles (29.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 15.7 miles (25.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 34m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
City in Cook County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arlington Heights and River Forest.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington Heights and River Forest.
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1
Start on East Euclid Avenue
15 m · 6 sec · East Euclid Avenue
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2
Turn right onto North Arlington Heights Road
1948 ft · 1 min · North Arlington Heights Road
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3
Turn left onto East Northwest Highway
5.3 mi · 9 min · East Northwest Highway
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4
Continue on Miner Street
778 ft · 16 sec · Miner Street
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5
Turn right onto Graceland Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Graceland Avenue
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6
Turn straight onto Lee Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Lee Street
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7
Turn straight onto Mannheim Road
4.3 mi · 7 min · Mannheim Road
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8
Turn left onto Lawrence Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · Lawrence Avenue
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9
Turn right onto Des Plaines River Road
3.8 mi · 8 min · Des Plaines River Road
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10
Turn straight onto North 1st Avenue
2871 ft · 1 min · North 1st Avenue
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11
Turn left onto North Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · North Avenue
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12
Turn right onto Lathrop Avenue
1.2 km · 3 min · Lathrop Avenue
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13
Turn left onto Augusta Street
97 m · 11 sec · Augusta Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Augusta Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arlington Heights and River Forest.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
East Northwest Highway
Turn left onto East Northwest Highway
5.35 mi · 00h 09m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely leaving Arlington Heights and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near River Forest.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arlington Heights to River Forest?
The road trip is about 18.5 miles (29.8 km) and usually takes 00h 34m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Park Ridge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.3 miles from Arlington Heights and 9.3 miles from River Forest.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 15.7 miles (25.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.8 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:20 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.45 one way or $4.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely around Arlington Heights and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near River Forest.
Stop Ideas Near Park Ridge
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 Park Ridge.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Chicago Union Station
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arlington Heights and River Forest. Straight-line distance: 15.7 mi (25.27 km).
#1 Arlington Heights
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States; suburb of Chicago, Illinois
| Population | 75,101 |
| Coordinates | 42.0883600, -87.9806300 |
| Altitude | 214 |
| Country | United States |
#2 River Forest
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 10,694 |
| Coordinates | 41.8978100, -87.8139500 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| Country | United States |
End: River Forest (-87.81395, 41.89781)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 30 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.45 | $4.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $2.76 | $5.53 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.03 | $6.05 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $3.45 | $6.90 |
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 · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.