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

The driving distance from Crete, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 57.3 miles (92.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 42.7 miles (68.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 10m 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
57.28 mi
01h 05m
Flight
42.71 mi
68.74 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Crete.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
42.71 mi
Kilometers
68.74 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
57.28 mi
Kilometers
92.18 km
Drive Time
01h 05m

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 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Des Plaines
Thu, Apr 16, 2:59 AM CDT
Return by in Crete
Thu, Apr 16, 4:04 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Crete
2026-04-16T01:53
Arrive Des Plaines
Thu, Apr 16, 2:59 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:05 AM to 11:05 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:20 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Crete
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
Justice
IL

Village in Cook County, Illinois

From Crete
25.1 mi
00h 32m
To Des Plaines
32.2 mi
00h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph WSW
Destination
69°F
Thursday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    1 mi · 2 min · Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Vincennes Boulevard

    691 ft · 20 sec · Vincennes Boulevard

  3. 3

    Continue on Chicago Road

    3.4 mi · 8 min · Chicago Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Dixie Highway

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Dixie Highway

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on Dixie Highway

    2.6 mi · 6 min · Dixie Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on Dixie Highway

    562 ft · 22 sec · Dixie Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Dixie Highway

    2741 ft · 1 min · Dixie Highway

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Governors Highway

    1681 ft · 36 sec · Governors Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on Wood Street

    1251 ft · 31 sec · Wood Street

  10. 10

    Take the ramp left toward I 294 North, I 80 West: Tri-State Tollway

    1717 ft · 40 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    618 ft · 10 sec · Tri-State Tollway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    1.3 km · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    24.3 mi · 30 min · Tri-State Tollway

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue

    635 ft · 16 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue

    2694 ft · 1 min

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West

    688 ft · 17 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West

    1799 ft · 44 sec

  19. 19

    Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue

    99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn slight right

    103 m · 9 sec

  21. 21

    Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road

    1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Henry Avenue

    557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Crete 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
23 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
40.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Tri-State Tollway
37 mi · 65%
Dixie Highway
4.7 mi · 8%
Chicago Road
3.44 mi · 6%
South Des Plaines River Road
1.71 mi · 3%
Main Street
1.02 mi · 2%
Touhy Avenue
0.63 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

24.3 mi · 00h 30m

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 05m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.6 mi
42.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Justice
00h 32m from Crete
Leave By
4:20 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Crete and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Des Plaines.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 57.3 miles (92.2 km) and usually takes 01h 05m 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?

Justice is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.1 miles from Crete and 32.2 miles from Des Plaines.

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

The direct path is about 42.7 miles (68.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.6 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 4:20 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.62 one way or $15.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Crete and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Des Plaines.

Stop Ideas Near Justice

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

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

RAIL

Summit

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

La Grange Road

8 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Chicago Union Station

22 mi away
225 South Canal Street
RAIL

Homewood

25 mi away
18015 Park Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Crete and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 42.71 mi (68.74 km).

Crete

#1 Crete

Town in the U.

Population8,493
Coordinates41.4444800, -87.6314300
Altitude222
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: Main Street (-87.631291, 41.444485)
End: Henry Avenue (-87.883408, 42.033456)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 92 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 49m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.02 gal
7.65 L · about $7.62
Round trip
$15.23
4.04 gal · 15.3 L
Estimated CO2
18 kg one way
Round trip: 35.9 kg / 79 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.62 $15.23
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.59 $17.18
Premium $4.65 $9.40 $18.80
Diesel $5.30 $10.71 $21.43

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

There is no time difference between Crete and Des Plaines. The current time is 01:53:39.

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.