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

The driving distance from Bristol, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 50.1 miles (80.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 36.9 miles (59.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 53m 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
50.14 mi
00h 56m
Flight
36.92 mi
59.42 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bristol.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
36.92 mi
Kilometers
59.42 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
50.14 mi
Kilometers
80.7 km
Drive Time
00h 56m

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 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Des Plaines
Thu, Apr 23, 4:48 PM CDT
Return by in Bristol
Thu, Apr 23, 5:45 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bristol
2026-04-23T15:51
Arrive Des Plaines
Thu, Apr 23, 4:48 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:57 AM to 10:57 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:36 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bristol
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
Lisle
IL

Town in Illinois

From Bristol
25 mi
00h 28m
To Des Plaines
25.1 mi
00h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 25 mph S
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Cannonball Trail

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Cannonball Trail

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Galena Road

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Galena Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Bridge Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · North Bridge Street

  4. 4

    Continue straight

    2.9 mi · 3 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 56 East: Chicago

    2171 ft · 53 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    24.8 mi · 31 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

    4.7 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford

    3128 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee

    1156 ft · 28 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    9.9 mi · 13 min · Tri-State Tollway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue

    635 ft · 16 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue

    2694 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West

    688 ft · 17 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West

    1799 ft · 44 sec

  15. 15

    Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue

    99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn slight right

    103 m · 9 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road

    1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Henry Avenue

    557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
19 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
37.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
IL 56 East
25.2 mi · 50%
Tri-State Tollway
9.94 mi · 20%
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
4.74 mi · 9%
North Bridge Street
4.03 mi · 8%
South Des Plaines River Road
1.71 mi · 3%
Galena Road
1.35 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

IL 56 East

Merge slight left

24.8 mi · 00h 31m

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
00h 56m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.2 mi
36.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lisle
00h 28m from Bristol
Leave By
4:36 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Bristol 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 Bristol to Des Plaines?

The road trip is about 50.1 miles (80.7 km) and usually takes 00h 56m 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?

Lisle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25 miles from Bristol and 25.1 miles from Des Plaines.

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

The direct path is about 36.9 miles (59.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.2 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 4:36 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.67 one way or $13.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Lisle

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

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

RAIL

Naperville

6 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

La Grange Road

17 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Summit

22 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.
RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

31 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bristol and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 36.92 mi (59.42 km).

Bristol

#1 Bristol

Township in Kendall County, Illinois

Population30,486
Coordinates41.6855900, -88.4281300
Altitude195
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: Cannonball Trail (-88.428173, 41.685611)
End: Henry Avenue (-87.883408, 42.033456)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 81 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 40m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 15m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 00m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 50m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.77 gal
6.7 L · about $6.67
Round trip
$13.35
3.54 gal · 13.4 L
Estimated CO2
15.7 kg one way
Round trip: 31.5 kg / 69 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.67 $13.35
Mid-grade $4.25 $7.53 $15.06
Premium $4.65 $8.24 $16.48
Diesel $5.30 $9.39 $18.78

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 Bristol and Des Plaines. The current time is 15:51:56.

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.