How far is Des Plaines, IL from Sycamore, IL?

The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Sycamore, IL is about 50.8 miles (81.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 41.4 miles (66.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 19m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
50.77 mi
01h 09m
Flight
41.36 mi
66.56 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Des Plaines.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
41.36 mi
Kilometers
66.56 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
50.77 mi
Kilometers
81.71 km
Drive Time
01h 09m

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 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sycamore
Thu, Apr 23, 8:37 AM CDT
Return by in Des Plaines
Thu, Apr 23, 9:47 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Des Plaines
2026-04-23T07:27
Arrive Sycamore
Thu, Apr 23, 8:37 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:10 AM to 11:10 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:10 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Des Plaines
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Gilberts
IL

Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America

From Des Plaines
25.4 mi
00h 35m
To Sycamore
25.4 mi
00h 35m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 25 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Des Plaines and Sycamore.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Sycamore.

  1. 1

    Start on Henry Avenue

    80 m · 17 sec · Henry Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto White Street

    650 ft · 33 sec · White Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto East Algonquin Road

    2758 ft · 2 min · East Algonquin Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Lee Street

    2696 ft · 51 sec · Lee Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto East Oakton Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · East Oakton Street

  6. 6

    Continue on West Oakton Street

    1 mi · 2 min · West Oakton Street

  7. 7

    Turn left onto South Elmhurst Road

    1116 ft · 27 sec · South Elmhurst Road

  8. 8

    Take the ramp straight toward I 90 West Toll: Rockford

    3013 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

    25.9 mi · 28 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 47: Huntley, Woodstock

    2605 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on IL 47 South: Elburn

    2951 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Turn straight

    5.4 mi · 9 min

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Plank Road

    12 mi · 19 min · Plank Road

  14. 14

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    1.9 mi · 3 min · North Main Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto West State Street

    623 ft · 10 sec · West State Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West State Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Sycamore.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
16 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
31.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
25.9 mi · 51%
Plank Road
12 mi · 24%
North Main Street
1.91 mi · 4%
East Oakton Street
1.35 mi · 3%
West Oakton Street
1.01 mi · 2%
I 90 West Toll
0.57 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

25.9 mi · 00h 28m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 09m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.4 mi
41.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Gilberts
00h 35m from Des Plaines
Leave By
4:10 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Des Plaines and Mostly Sunny near Sycamore.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to Sycamore?

The road trip is about 50.8 miles (81.7 km) and usually takes 01h 09m 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?

Gilberts is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.4 miles from Des Plaines and 25.4 miles from Sycamore.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 41.4 miles (66.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.4 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 4:10 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 Sycamore.

Stop Ideas Near Gilberts

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Gilberts, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Gilberts.

RAIL

Naperville

41 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

Glenview station

47 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

Plano

51 mi away
101 West Main Street
RAIL

La Grange Road

52 mi away
25 West Burlington St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Sycamore. Straight-line distance: 41.36 mi (66.56 km).

Des Plaines

#1 Des Plaines

The most populous city in Cook County, Illinois.

Population58,179
Coordinates42.0333600, -87.8834000
Altitude193
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Sycamore

City in Illinois

Population18,317
Coordinates41.9889200, -88.6867500
Altitude266
CountryUnited States
Start: Des Plaines (-87.8834, 42.03336)
End: Sycamore (-88.68675, 41.98892)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 82 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 41m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 16m
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 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.79 gal
6.78 L · about $6.75
Round trip
$13.50
3.58 gal · 13.56 L
Estimated CO2
15.9 kg one way
Round trip: 31.8 kg / 70 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound 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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Des Plaines and Sycamore. The current time is 07:27:33.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.