How far is Barrington, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Barrington, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 21.5 miles (34.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 15.4 miles (24.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 03m 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 31m.
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 Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Barrington and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Barrington and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on Hough Street
33 m · 6 sec · Hough Street
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2
Turn right onto East Main Street
977 ft · 22 sec · East Main Street
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3
Continue on Lake Cook Road
1133 ft · 43 sec · Lake Cook Road
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4
Turn right onto South Northwest Highway
8.2 mi · 15 min · South Northwest Highway
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5
Continue on West Northwest Highway
6.8 mi · 11 min · West Northwest Highway
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6
Continue on Miner Street
2626 ft · 52 sec · Miner Street
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7
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
2330 ft · 56 sec · South Des Plaines River Road
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8
Turn right onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
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9
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Barrington 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.
South Northwest Highway
Turn right onto South Northwest Highway
8.18 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 Barrington and Mostly Sunny near Des Plaines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Barrington to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 21.5 miles (34.6 km) and usually takes 00h 31m 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?
Rolling Meadows is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.2 miles from Barrington and 13.3 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 15.4 miles (24.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.1 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:26 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.87 one way or $5.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Barrington and Mostly Sunny near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Rolling Meadows
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 Rolling Meadows.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Naperville
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Barrington and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 15.4 mi (24.79 km).
#1 Barrington
Village in Cook County and Lake County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 10,178 |
| Coordinates | 42.1539100, -88.1361900 |
| Altitude | 252 |
| 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: 35 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.87 | $5.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.23 | $6.46 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.54 | $7.07 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $4.03 | $8.06 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.