How far is Elmhurst, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Elmhurst, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 13.2 miles (21.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 9.7 miles (15.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 39m 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 19m.
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 Cook County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elmhurst and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elmhurst and Des Plaines.
-
1
Start on the route
81 m · 25 sec
-
2
Turn left
15 m · 9 sec
-
3
Turn left onto West Park Avenue
110 m · 18 sec · West Park Avenue
-
4
Turn left onto North York Street
2517 ft · 1 min · North York Street
-
5
Turn right onto East North Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · East North Avenue
-
6
Turn slight right
958 ft · 35 sec
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
1754 ft · 43 sec
-
8
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
7.8 mi · 10 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
-
13
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
-
14
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
-
15
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
-
16
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
-
17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elmhurst and Des Plaines.
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.
Tri-State Tollway
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
7.82 mi · 00h 10m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Elmhurst and Partly Sunny near Des Plaines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elmhurst to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 13.2 miles (21.2 km) and usually takes 00h 19m 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?
Schiller Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.5 miles from Elmhurst and 6.8 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 9.7 miles (15.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.73 one way or $3.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Elmhurst and Partly Sunny near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Schiller Park
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 Schiller Park.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Summit
Chicago Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elmhurst and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 9.7 mi (15.61 km).
#1 Elmhurst
A city in DuPage County, Illinois.
| Population | 46,532 |
| Coordinates | 41.8994700, -87.9403400 |
| Altitude | 209 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Des Plaines
The most populous city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 58,179 |
| Coordinates | 42.0333600, -87.8834000 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
End: Henry Avenue (-87.883408, 42.033456)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 21 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $1.73 | $3.47 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $1.96 | $3.91 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $2.14 | $4.28 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $2.44 | $4.88 |
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 · Jul 28, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.