How far is Des Plaines, IL from North Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to North Chicago, IL is about 26.4 miles (42.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 20.3 miles (32.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 11m 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 35m.
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.
Village in West Deerfield and Vernon townships of Lake County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Plaines and North Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and North Chicago.
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1
Start on Henry Avenue
557 ft · 31 sec · Henry Avenue
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2
Turn left onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
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3
Turn right onto East Golf Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · East Golf Road
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 North Toll: Wisconsin
1.1 km · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
18.4 mi · 22 min · Tri-State Tollway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward IL 137: Buckley Road
1522 ft · 39 sec
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7
Turn straight onto Buckley Road
2.9 mi · 5 min · Buckley Road
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8
Turn left onto Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
1.4 km · 60 sec · Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
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9
Continue on Sheridan Road
2526 ft · 39 sec · Sheridan Road
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10
Turn left onto Broadway
654 ft · 24 sec · Broadway
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11
Turn right onto Park Avenue
63 m · 10 sec · Park Avenue
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12
Turn right onto Fellows Place
14 m · 2 sec · Fellows Place
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Fellows Place
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and North Chicago.
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.
Tri-State Tollway
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
18.4 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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Des Plaines and Showers And Thunderstorms near North Chicago.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to North Chicago?
The road trip is about 26.4 miles (42.5 km) and usually takes 00h 35m 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?
Bannockburn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.2 miles from Des Plaines and 13.2 miles from North Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 20.3 miles (32.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.1 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 7:18 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.34 one way or $8.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Des Plaines and Showers And Thunderstorms near North Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Bannockburn
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 Bannockburn.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and North Chicago. Straight-line distance: 20.31 mi (32.68 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 North Chicago
City and suburb of Chicago, Illinois, USA
| Population | 29,639 |
| Coordinates | 42.3255800, -87.8411800 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Chicago (-87.84118, 42.32558)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 42 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $4.34 | $8.68 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $4.92 | $9.84 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $5.43 | $10.86 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $6.11 | $12.22 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026