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

The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Bristol, IL is about 50.3 miles (80.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 36.9 miles (59.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 15m 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
50.26 mi
01h 07m
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 Des Plaines.

Flight Distance

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

Driving Distance

Road route
50.26 mi
Kilometers
80.89 km
Drive Time
01h 07m

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 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bristol
Thu, Apr 23, 6:24 PM CDT
Return by in Des Plaines
Thu, Apr 23, 7:32 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Des Plaines
2026-04-23T17:17
Arrive Bristol
Thu, Apr 23, 6:24 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:08 AM to 11:08 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:14 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Des Plaines
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 Des Plaines
25.1 mi
00h 33m
To Bristol
25.2 mi
00h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S
Destination
81°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 25 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Henry Avenue

    557 ft · 25 sec · Henry Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road

    1.8 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 South: Indiana

    2265 ft · 55 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    8.9 mi · 12 min · Tri-State Tollway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

    1.5 km · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    1251 ft · 31 sec · Tri-State Tollway

  7. 7

    Continue on Tri-State Tollway

    1937 ft · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 88 West Toll: Aurora

    2633 ft · 50 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

    1.2 km · 60 sec · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

    25.1 mi · 30 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on IL 56 West: Sugar Grove

    4.2 mi · 6 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 30 East, IL 47: Sugar Grove, Elburn

    956 ft · 33 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on IL 47 South, US 30 East: Sugar Grove

    667 ft · 14 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Illinois Route 47

    983 ft · 19 sec · Illinois Route 47

  15. 15

    Continue on United States Route 30

    2.8 mi · 3 min · United States Route 30

  16. 16

    Continue on North Bridge Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · North Bridge Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Galena Road

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Galena Road

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Cannonball Trail

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Cannonball Trail

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Cannonball Trail

Car Route Details

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

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
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
37.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
25.8 mi · 51%
Tri-State Tollway
10 mi · 20%
IL 56 West
4.24 mi · 8%
United States Route 30
2.83 mi · 6%
South Des Plaines River Road
1.77 mi · 4%
Galena Road
1.35 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

25.1 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 07m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.4 mi
36.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lisle
00h 33m from Des Plaines
Leave By
4:14 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Des Plaines and Mostly Sunny near Bristol.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 50.3 miles (80.9 km) and usually takes 01h 07m 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 25.1 miles from Des Plaines and 25.2 miles from Bristol.

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 13.4 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 4:14 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 Des Plaines and Mostly Sunny near Bristol.

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 Des Plaines and Bristol. Straight-line distance: 36.92 mi (59.42 km).

Des Plaines

#1 Des Plaines

The most populous city in Cook County, Illinois.

Population58,179
Coordinates42.0333600, -87.8834000
Altitude193
CountryUnited States
Bristol

#2 Bristol

Township in Kendall County, Illinois

Population30,486
Coordinates41.6855900, -88.4281300
Altitude195
CountryUnited States
Start: Des Plaines (-87.8834, 42.03336)
End: Bristol (-88.42813, 41.68559)

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 43m
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
6.71 L · about $6.67
Round trip
$13.35
3.54 gal · 13.42 L
Estimated CO2
15.7 kg one way
Round trip: 31.5 kg / 69 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/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 Des Plaines and Bristol. The current time is 17:17:13.

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.