How far is Des Plaines, IL from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Elgin, IL is about 29.2 miles (47 km), with a travel time of about 00h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 20.4 miles (32.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 07m 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 33m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
A city in Cook County, Illinois.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely
Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Plaines and Elgin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Elgin.
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1
Start on Henry Avenue
80 m · 17 sec · Henry Avenue
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2
Turn left onto White Street
650 ft · 33 sec · White Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Algonquin Road
2758 ft · 2 min · East Algonquin Road
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4
Turn left onto Lee Street
2696 ft · 51 sec · Lee Street
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5
Turn right onto East Oakton Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · East Oakton Street
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6
Continue on West Oakton Street
1 mi · 2 min · West Oakton Street
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7
Turn left onto South Elmhurst Road
1116 ft · 27 sec · South Elmhurst Road
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8
Take the ramp straight toward I 90 West Toll: Rockford
3013 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
16.5 mi · 18 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward IL 25
154 m · 12 sec
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11
Continue on IL 25
2671 ft · 1 min
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12
Continue straight
648 ft · 18 sec
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13
Turn left onto Dundee Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · Dundee Avenue
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14
Continue on Center Street
694 ft · 24 sec · Center Street
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15
Turn right
95 m · 28 sec
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16
Turn left onto East Chicago Street
36 m · 3 sec · East Chicago Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Chicago Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Elgin.
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.
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
16.5 mi · 00h 18m
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.
Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely leaving Des Plaines and Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely near Elgin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to Elgin?
The road trip is about 29.2 miles (47 km) and usually takes 00h 33m 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?
Hoffman Estates is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.9 miles from Des Plaines and 17.3 miles from Elgin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 20.4 miles (32.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.8 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 7:22 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.88 one way or $7.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely around Des Plaines and Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely near Elgin.
Stop Ideas Near Hoffman Estates
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 Hoffman Estates.
Glenview station
Naperville
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Elgin. Straight-line distance: 20.42 mi (32.86 km).
#1 Des Plaines
The most populous city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 58,179 |
| Coordinates | 42.0333600, -87.8834000 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elgin
The second most populous city in Kane County, Illinois.
| Population | 110,196 |
| Coordinates | 42.0372500, -88.2811900 |
| Altitude | 227 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Chicago Street (-88.281194, 42.037244)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 47 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.88 | $7.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.38 | $8.76 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $4.79 | $9.59 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.46 | $10.93 |
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 · May 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.