How far is Carol Stream, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Carol Stream, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 27.6 miles (44.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 15.3 miles (24.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 12m 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 36m.
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.
Village in Illinois, U.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carol Stream and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carol Stream and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on West Thunderbird Trail
1243 ft · 55 sec · West Thunderbird Trail
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Aztec Drive
49 m · 12 sec · Aztec Drive
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3
Turn left onto Thunderbird Trail
62 m · 14 sec · Thunderbird Trail
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4
Turn left onto Kuhn Road
2294 ft · 59 sec · Kuhn Road
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5
Turn left onto North Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · North Avenue
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6
Continue on East North Avenue
4.3 mi · 8 min · East North Avenue
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7
Turn left onto I 355 Toll North: Northwest Suburbs
2199 ft · 54 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
4 mi · 5 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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9
Merge slight left
2.2 mi · 3 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward IL 53 South: Biesterfield Road
2483 ft · 1 min
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11
Turn right onto Biesterfield Road
1 mi · 2 min · Biesterfield Road
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12
Turn left onto South Arlington Heights Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Arlington Heights Road
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13
Turn right onto Oakton Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · Oakton Street
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14
Continue on East Oakton Street
1.5 km · 1 min · East Oakton Street
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15
Continue on West Oakton Street
698 ft · 14 sec · West Oakton Street
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16
Continue on West Oakton Street
1.4 km · 2 min · West Oakton Street
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17
Continue on East Oakton Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · East Oakton Street
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18
Turn left onto Lee Street
2735 ft · 59 sec · Lee Street
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19
Turn right onto East Algonquin Road
2758 ft · 2 min · East Algonquin Road
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20
Turn left onto White Street
650 ft · 30 sec · White Street
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21
Turn right onto Henry Avenue
80 m · 12 sec · Henry Avenue
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carol Stream 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.
East North Avenue
Continue on East North Avenue
4.32 mi · 00h 08m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny leaving Carol Stream and Chance Rain Showers near Des Plaines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carol Stream to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 27.6 miles (44.4 km) and usually takes 00h 36m 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?
Itasca is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.9 miles from Carol Stream and 16.7 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 15.3 miles (24.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.3 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 7:18 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.66 one way or $7.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny around Carol Stream and Chance Rain Showers near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Itasca
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 Itasca.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Naperville
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carol Stream and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 15.38 mi (24.75 km).
#1 Carol Stream
Town
| Population | 38,821 |
| Coordinates | 41.9125300, -88.1347900 |
| Altitude | 231 |
| 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: 44 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.66 | $7.32 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.13 | $8.25 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $4.51 | $9.03 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.14 | $10.29 |
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 · Jun 10, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.