How far is Arlington Heights, IL from Wilmette, IL?
The driving distance from Arlington Heights, IL to Wilmette, IL is about 14.9 miles (23.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 13.3 miles (21.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 52m 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 26m.
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.
The most populous city in Cook County, Illinois.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arlington Heights and Wilmette.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington Heights and Wilmette.
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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
4 mi · 6 min · East Northwest Highway
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4
Turn left onto State Street
1013 ft · 29 sec · State Street
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward East Golf Road
49 m · 3 sec · East Golf Road
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6
Exit the roundabout onto East Golf Road
8.8 mi · 15 min · East Golf Road
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7
Turn left onto Gross Point Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Gross Point Road
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8
Continue on Ridge Road
1211 ft · 44 sec · Ridge Road
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9
Turn left onto Wilmette Avenue
20 m · 2 sec · Wilmette Avenue
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Wilmette Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arlington Heights and Wilmette.
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 Golf Road
Exit the roundabout onto East Golf Road
8.77 mi · 00h 15m
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 Sunny leaving Arlington Heights and Mostly Sunny near Wilmette.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arlington Heights to Wilmette?
The road trip is about 14.9 miles (23.9 km) and usually takes 00h 26m 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?
Des Plaines is a useful midpoint, sitting about 7.4 miles from Arlington Heights and 7.5 miles from Wilmette.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 13.3 miles (21.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.6 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 7:38 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.00 one way or $4.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Arlington Heights and Mostly Sunny near Wilmette.
Stop Ideas Near Des Plaines
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 Des Plaines.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Summit
Chicago Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arlington Heights and Wilmette. Straight-line distance: 13.27 mi (21.35 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 Wilmette
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 26,819 |
| Coordinates | 42.0722500, -87.7228400 |
| Altitude | 194 |
| Country | United States |
End: Wilmette (-87.72284, 42.07225)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 24 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.00 | $4.00 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $2.25 | $4.51 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $2.47 | $4.93 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $2.81 | $5.62 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.