How far is Chester, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Chester, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 350.8 miles (564.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 302.5 miles (486.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 05h 40m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chester and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chester and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on East Stacey Street
38 m · 11 sec · East Stacey Street
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2
Turn left onto State Street
118 m · 10 sec · State Street
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3
Turn left onto East Holmes Street
2470 ft · 32 sec · East Holmes Street
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4
Continue on Lehmen Drive
7.8 mi · 9 min · Lehmen Drive
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5
Continue on South State Street
17.7 mi · 23 min · South State Street
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6
Continue straight
20.1 mi · 30 min
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Illinois Street
54 m · 4 sec · North Illinois Street
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8
Exit the rotary onto North Illinois Street
9.8 mi · 15 min · North Illinois Street
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9
Continue on South Morrison Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Morrison Avenue
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10
Continue on Vandalia Street
2.8 mi · 5 min · Vandalia Street
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11
Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North, I 70 East
2235 ft · 55 sec
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12
Merge slight left
3.8 mi · 4 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
107.9 mi · 1 hr 57 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
120.8 mi · 2 hr 14 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
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22
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
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23
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
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24
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
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25
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
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26
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
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27
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chester and Des Plaines.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 55 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
121 mi · 02h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Chester and Showers And Thunderstorms near Des Plaines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chester to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 350.8 miles (564.5 km) and usually takes 05h 40m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lincoln is a useful midpoint, sitting about 172 miles from Chester and 178.8 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 302.5 miles (486.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:38 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $46.68 one way or $93.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 110 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Chester and Showers And Thunderstorms near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Lincoln
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Lincoln
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lincoln.
Lincoln
Springfield station
Uptown Station
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chester and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 302.56 mi (486.93 km).
#1 Chester
City in Illinois
| Population | 8,145 |
| Coordinates | 37.9136600, -89.8220500 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| 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: 564 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $46.68 | $93.37 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $52.65 | $105.30 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $57.62 | $115.23 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $65.66 | $131.33 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.