How far is Des Plaines, IL from South Shore, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to South Shore, IL is about 29.5 miles (47.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 24.5 miles (39.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
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 00h 47m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The third most populous city in the United States and the center of the Chicago metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Plaines and South Shore.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and South Shore.
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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
1.1 km · 1 min · South Des Plaines River Road
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3
Turn left onto East Oakton Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · East Oakton Street
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4
Turn right onto Busse Highway
1.5 mi · 3 min · Busse Highway
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5
Turn straight onto West Touhy Avenue
2.3 mi · 4 min · West Touhy Avenue
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6
Turn right onto North Caldwell Avenue
2.4 mi · 4 min · North Caldwell Avenue
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7
Take the ramp straight toward I 94 East
1370 ft · 35 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Edens Expressway
2.1 mi · 2 min · Edens Expressway
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9
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.1 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
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10
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
3.8 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East
2183 ft · 53 sec
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13
Merge slight right onto Dan Ryan Expressway (Local)
2612 ft · 50 sec · Dan Ryan Expressway (Local)
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Local)
2163 ft · 27 sec · Dan Ryan Expressway (Local)
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15
Take the exit slight right toward 71st Street
1779 ft · 51 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on 71st Street
940 ft · 23 sec
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17
Turn straight onto South Lafayette Avenue
92 m · 8 sec · South Lafayette Avenue
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18
Turn left onto West 71st Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · West 71st Street
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19
Turn slight right onto South South Chicago Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · South South Chicago Avenue
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20
Turn left onto East 75th Street
1.4 km · 2 min · East 75th Street
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21
Turn left onto South Baldwin Avenue
667 ft · 31 sec · South Baldwin Avenue
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22
Turn right onto East 74th Street
47 m · 12 sec · East 74th Street
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23
Turn left onto South Euclid Avenue
144 m · 21 sec · South Euclid Avenue
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Euclid Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and South Shore.
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.
Kennedy Expressway
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.12 mi · 00h 12m
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.
Sunny leaving Des Plaines and Sunny near South Shore.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to South Shore?
The road trip is about 29.5 miles (47.5 km) and usually takes 00h 47m 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?
Chicago is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.7 miles from Des Plaines and 14.8 miles from South Shore.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 24.5 miles (39.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 5 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:56 PM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.67 one way or $9.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Des Plaines and Sunny near South Shore.
Stop Ideas Near Chicago
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 Chicago.
Chicago Union Station
Summit
La Grange Road
Hammond–Whiting station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and South Shore. Straight-line distance: 24.46 mi (39.37 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 South Shore
South Shore is a place in Illinois, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 41.7619800, -87.5778300 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Shore (-87.57783, 41.76198)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 48 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 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 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.50 | $4.67 | $9.35 |
| Mid-grade | $5.12 | $5.32 | $10.65 |
| Premium | $5.68 | $5.90 | $11.81 |
| Diesel | $6.52 | $6.78 | $13.56 |
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 · Nov 09, 2026