How far is Des Plaines, IL from Gilberts, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Gilberts, IL is about 28.7 miles (46.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 25.5 miles (41.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 16m 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 38m.
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 United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Plaines and Gilberts.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Gilberts.
-
1
Start on Henry Avenue
80 m · 17 sec · Henry Avenue
-
2
Turn left onto White Street
650 ft · 33 sec · White Street
-
3
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Algonquin Road
2758 ft · 2 min · East Algonquin Road
-
4
Turn left onto Lee Street
2696 ft · 51 sec · Lee Street
-
5
Turn right onto East Oakton Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · East Oakton Street
-
6
Continue on West Oakton Street
1 mi · 2 min · West Oakton Street
-
7
Turn left onto South Elmhurst Road
1116 ft · 27 sec · South Elmhurst Road
-
8
Take the ramp straight toward I 90 West Toll: Rockford
3013 ft · 1 min
-
9
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
20.6 mi · 22 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward Randall Road
1726 ft · 42 sec
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on Crystal Lake, Gilberts, Airport
78 m · 6 sec
-
12
Turn straight onto Randall Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Randall Road
-
13
Turn left onto Higgins Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Higgins Road
-
14
Continue on East Higgins Road
1.1 km · 1 min · East Higgins Road
-
15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Higgins Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Gilberts.
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
20.5 mi · 00h 22m
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 Sunny leaving Des Plaines and Mostly Sunny near Gilberts.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to Gilberts?
The road trip is about 28.7 miles (46.2 km) and usually takes 00h 38m 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?
South Barrington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.4 miles from Des Plaines and 14.4 miles from Gilberts.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 25.5 miles (41.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.2 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 7:14 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.81 one way or $7.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Des Plaines and Mostly Sunny near Gilberts.
Stop Ideas Near South Barrington
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 South Barrington.
Glenview station
Naperville
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Gilberts. Straight-line distance: 25.57 mi (41.15 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 Gilberts
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 8,071 |
| Coordinates | 42.1033600, -88.3728600 |
| Altitude | 274 |
| Country | United States |
End: Gilberts (-88.37286, 42.10336)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 46 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 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 | $3.81 | $7.62 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.30 | $8.59 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $4.70 | $9.40 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.36 | $10.71 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.