How far is Des Plaines, IL from West Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to West Chicago, IL is about 25.4 miles (40.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 19.4 miles (31.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 32m 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 00h 46m.
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.
Village in Illinois, U.
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 West Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and West Chicago.
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1
Start on Henry Avenue
80 m · 17 sec · Henry Avenue
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2
Turn left onto White Street
650 ft · 33 sec · White Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Algonquin Road
2758 ft · 2 min · East Algonquin Road
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4
Turn left onto Lee Street
2696 ft · 51 sec · Lee Street
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5
Turn right onto East Oakton Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · East Oakton Street
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6
Continue on West Oakton Street
1 mi · 2 min · West Oakton Street
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7
Continue on East Oakton Street
1.5 km · 1 min · East Oakton Street
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8
Continue on Oakton Street
1214 ft · 26 sec · Oakton Street
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9
Continue on Oakton Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · Oakton Street
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10
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Arlington Heights Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Arlington Heights Road
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11
Turn right onto Biesterfield Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Biesterfield Road
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12
Turn left onto I 290 East: Chicago
2155 ft · 54 sec
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13
Merge slight left
1.8 mi · 2 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
4.6 mi · 6 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward IL 64: North Avenue
1535 ft · 38 sec
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16
Turn right onto North Avenue
3.3 mi · 6 min · North Avenue
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17
Turn left onto South Schmale Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · South Schmale Road
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18
Turn right onto West Geneva Road
4.2 mi · 8 min · West Geneva Road
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19
Continue on East Washington Street
1.2 km · 1 min · East Washington Street
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20
Turn slight left onto Galena Street
149 m · 24 sec · Galena Street
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21
Turn right
91 m · 22 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and West 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.
I 355 South Tollway
Keep slight left to continue on I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
4.58 mi · 00h 06m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Des Plaines and Showers And Thunderstorms near West Chicago.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to West Chicago?
The road trip is about 25.4 miles (40.9 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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?
Itasca is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.7 miles from Des Plaines and 12.7 miles from West Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 19.4 miles (31.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 6 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 4:58 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.20 one way or $8.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Des Plaines and Showers And Thunderstorms near West Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Itasca
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 Itasca.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Naperville
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and West Chicago. Straight-line distance: 19.41 mi (31.24 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 West Chicago
City in DuPage County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 26,593 |
| Coordinates | 41.8847500, -88.2039600 |
| Altitude | 239 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Chicago (-88.20396, 41.88475)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 41 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 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 | $4.20 | $8.40 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $4.76 | $9.53 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $5.25 | $10.51 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $5.91 | $11.83 |
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