How far is Des Plaines, IL from Serena, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Serena, IL is about 72.7 miles (117 km), with a travel time of about 01h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 57.8 miles (93 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 23m 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 41m.
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.
City in Illinois, 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 Serena.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Serena.
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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
25.1 mi · 30 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on IL 56 West: Sugar Grove
4.2 mi · 6 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 30 East, IL 47: Sugar Grove, Elburn
956 ft · 33 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on IL 47 South, US 30 East: Sugar Grove
667 ft · 14 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Illinois Route 47
983 ft · 19 sec · Illinois Route 47
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15
Continue on United States Route 30
2.8 mi · 3 min · United States Route 30
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16
Continue on North Bridge Street
7.2 mi · 12 min · North Bridge Street
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17
Turn right onto Stagecoach Trail
14.3 mi · 20 min · Stagecoach Trail
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18
Turn right
4.4 mi · 7 min
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19
Turn right onto East 2282nd Road
110 m · 18 sec · East 2282nd Road
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20
Turn right onto North 3806th Road
26 m · 4 sec · North 3806th Road
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 3806th Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Serena.
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.
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.
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 Serena.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to Serena?
The road trip is about 72.7 miles (117 km) and usually takes 01h 41m 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?
North Aurora is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.4 miles from Des Plaines and 36.4 miles from Serena.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 57.8 miles (93 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.9 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 3:06 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.69 one way or $19.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Des Plaines and Mostly Sunny near Serena.
Stop Ideas Near North Aurora
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 North Aurora.
Naperville
Plano
Joliet Transportation Center
La Grange Road
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Serena. Straight-line distance: 57.79 mi (93.01 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 Serena
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 1,088 |
| Coordinates | 41.4861400, -88.7314600 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
End: Serena (-88.73146, 41.48614)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 117 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $9.69 | $19.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $10.93 | $21.86 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $11.96 | $23.92 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $13.63 | $27.26 |
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.