How far is Des Plaines, IL from Wheaton, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Wheaton, IL is about 26.4 miles (42.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 16.3 miles (26.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 35m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Plaines and Wheaton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Wheaton.
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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
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Avenue
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17
Turn left onto Main Street
1.8 mi · 4 min · Main Street
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18
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · Pennsylvania Avenue
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19
Continue on College Avenue
1.3 mi · 3 min · College Avenue
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20
Turn left onto North Washington Street
120 m · 13 sec · North Washington Street
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21
Turn right onto East Wesley Street
1587 ft · 46 sec · East Wesley Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Wesley Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Wheaton.
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 short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Des Plaines and Rain Showers near Wheaton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to Wheaton?
The road trip is about 26.4 miles (42.5 km) and usually takes 00h 35m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Itasca is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.7 miles from Des Plaines and 15.7 miles from Wheaton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 16.3 miles (26.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.1 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:18 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.34 one way or $8.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Des Plaines and Rain Showers near Wheaton.
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 Wheaton. Straight-line distance: 16.29 mi (26.22 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 Wheaton
The most populous city in DuPage County, Illinois.
| Population | 52,451 |
| Coordinates | 41.8661400, -88.1070100 |
| Altitude | 231 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Wesley Street (-88.10701, 41.866123)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 43 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 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 | $4.34 | $8.68 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $4.92 | $9.84 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $5.43 | $10.86 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $6.11 | $12.22 |
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