How far is Des Plaines, IL from Preston Heights, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Preston Heights, IL is about 50.6 miles (81.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 38.8 miles (62.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 06m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Suburb of Chicago in Illinois, USA
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 Preston Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Preston Heights.
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1
Start on Henry Avenue
557 ft · 25 sec · Henry Avenue
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2
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
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3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 South: Indiana
2265 ft · 55 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
8.9 mi · 12 min · Tri-State Tollway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
1.5 km · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1251 ft · 31 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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7
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
1937 ft · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 88 West Toll: Aurora
2633 ft · 50 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
1.2 km · 60 sec · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
5.8 mi · 7 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 355 South: Joliet
1.2 km · 56 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
21.1 mi · 24 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Iowa
3275 ft · 56 sec
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14
Merge slight left
6.6 mi · 9 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 52, IL 53: Chicago Street
947 ft · 32 sec
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16
Turn right onto South Chicago Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · South Chicago Street
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17
Turn right onto Zurich Road
82 m · 13 sec · Zurich Road
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18
Turn left onto Haviland Drive
61 m · 9 sec · Haviland Drive
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Haviland Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Preston Heights.
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.
Veterans Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
21.1 mi · 00h 24m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Des Plaines and Mostly Sunny near Preston Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to Preston Heights?
The road trip is about 50.6 miles (81.4 km) and usually takes 01h 06m 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?
Woodridge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.3 miles from Des Plaines and 25.3 miles from Preston Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 38.8 miles (62.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:16 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.75 one way or $13.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Des Plaines and Mostly Sunny near Preston Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Woodridge
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 Woodridge.
Naperville
La Grange Road
Summit
Joliet Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Preston Heights. Straight-line distance: 38.8 mi (62.44 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 Preston Heights
Census designated place
| Population | 2,575 |
| Coordinates | 41.4917000, -88.0817200 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| Country | United States |
End: Preston Heights (-88.08172, 41.4917)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 81 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 41m |
| 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.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $6.75 | $13.50 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $7.61 | $15.23 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $8.33 | $16.66 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $9.49 | $18.99 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.