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

The driving distance from Braidwood, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 63.9 miles (102.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 10m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 55.7 miles (89.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 21m 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
63.91 mi
01h 10m
Flight
55.74 mi
89.7 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Braidwood.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
55.74 mi
Kilometers
89.7 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
63.91 mi
Kilometers
102.86 km
Drive Time
01h 10m

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 10m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Des Plaines
Thu, Apr 23, 12:19 AM CDT
Return by in Braidwood
Thu, Apr 23, 1:30 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Braidwood
2026-04-22T23:08
Arrive Des Plaines
Thu, Apr 23, 12:19 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 10m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:11 AM to 11:11 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:08 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Braidwood
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
Bolingbrook
IL

Town in Illinois

From Braidwood
31.9 mi
00h 35m
To Des Plaines
32 mi
00h 35m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph SW
Destination
69°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    61 m · 20 sec

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto North Washington Street

    3.6 mi · 5 min · North Washington Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp straight

    2274 ft · 55 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight right

    38.3 mi · 46 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin

    1.6 mi · 3 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin

    1694 ft · 41 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue

    635 ft · 16 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue

    2694 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West

    688 ft · 17 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West

    1799 ft · 44 sec

  13. 13

    Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue

    99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn slight right

    103 m · 9 sec

  15. 15

    Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road

    1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Henry Avenue

    557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
17 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North Washington Street
42.3 mi · 66%
Tri-State Tollway
16.6 mi · 26%
South Des Plaines River Road
1.71 mi · 3%
I 294 Tollway North
1.56 mi · 2%
Touhy Avenue
0.63 mi · 1%
Touhy Avenue West
0.47 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

North Washington Street

Merge slight right

38.3 mi · 00h 46m

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 10m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.2 mi
55.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bolingbrook
00h 35m from Braidwood
Leave By
4:08 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Braidwood and Sunny near Des Plaines.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Braidwood to Des Plaines?

The road trip is about 63.9 miles (102.9 km) and usually takes 01h 10m 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?

Bolingbrook is a useful midpoint, sitting about 31.9 miles from Braidwood and 32 miles from Des Plaines.

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

The direct path is about 55.7 miles (89.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.2 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 4:08 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.52 one way or $17.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 20.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Braidwood and Sunny near Des Plaines.

Stop Ideas Near Bolingbrook

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

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

RAIL

Naperville

11 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

19 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street
RAIL

La Grange Road

21 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Summit

24 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Braidwood and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 55.74 mi (89.7 km).

Braidwood

#1 Braidwood

City in Will County, Illinois, United States

Population6,148
Coordinates41.2650300, -88.2122800
Altitude176
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: (-88.212255, 41.265047)
End: Henry Avenue (-87.883408, 42.033456)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 103 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 07m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 35m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 16m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 03m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 54m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.26 gal
8.54 L · about $8.52
Round trip
$17.04
4.52 gal · 17.08 L
Estimated CO2
20.1 kg one way
Round trip: 40.2 kg / 89 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $8.52 $17.04
Mid-grade $4.25 $9.61 $19.22
Premium $4.65 $10.52 $21.04
Diesel $5.30 $11.99 $23.97

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

There is no time difference between Braidwood and Des Plaines. The current time is 23:08:42.

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.