How far is Aurora, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Aurora, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 39.4 miles (63.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 29.3 miles (47.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 33m 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 00h 46m.
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 Downers Grove, Lisle, and York Townships, DuPage County, Illinois, US
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Rain Likely
Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Aurora and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aurora and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on West Galena Boulevard
575 ft · 15 sec · West Galena Boulevard
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2
Turn left onto North Lake Street
2.2 mi · 4 min · North Lake Street
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3
Continue on South Lincolnway Street
1885 ft · 39 sec · South Lincolnway Street
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4
Take the ramp left toward I 88 West Toll, IL 56 West Toll: Chicago, Dekalb-Iowa
118 m · 10 sec
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5
Keep slight right to continue on I 88 East: Chicago
736 ft · 18 sec
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6
Continue on I 88 East: Chicago
896 ft · 22 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
17.8 mi · 22 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
3128 ft · 1 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
1156 ft · 28 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
9.9 mi · 13 min · Tri-State Tollway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
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16
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
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17
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
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18
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
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19
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Aurora and Des Plaines.
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.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
17.8 mi · 00h 22m
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.
Partly Sunny then Rain Likely leaving Aurora and Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely near Des Plaines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Aurora to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 39.4 miles (63.4 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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?
Downers Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.7 miles from Aurora and 19.7 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 29.3 miles (47.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.1 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 4:56 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.24 one way or $10.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Rain Likely around Aurora and Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Downers Grove
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 Downers Grove.
La Grange Road
Naperville
Summit
Chicago Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Aurora and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 29.32 mi (47.18 km).
#1 Aurora
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 196,383 |
| Coordinates | 41.7605800, -88.3200700 |
| Altitude | 207 |
| 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: 63 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.24 | $10.48 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.91 | $11.82 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.47 | $12.94 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.37 | $14.75 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.