How far is Fairfield, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Fairfield, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 277.9 miles (447.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 253.8 miles (408.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 42m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fairfield and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfield and Des Plaines.
-
1
Start on South 1st Street
75 m · 12 sec · South 1st Street
-
2
Turn left onto West Main Street
2.4 mi · 4 min · West Main Street
-
3
Turn right onto County Road 1600E
4 mi · 6 min · County Road 1600E
-
4
Continue on Washington Street
1 mi · 2 min · Washington Street
-
5
Continue on County Road 1600E
4.6 mi · 7 min · County Road 1600E
-
6
Continue on County Road 1800N
1.4 mi · 2 min · County Road 1800N
-
7
Continue on Central Street
2051 ft · 35 sec · Central Street
-
8
Continue on Central Street
2844 ft · 48 sec · Central Street
-
9
Continue on County Road 1400E
14.3 mi · 20 min · County Road 1400E
-
10
Turn right onto County Road 925 E
16.2 mi · 24 min · County Road 925 E
-
11
Continue on United States Route 45
14.9 mi · 22 min · United States Route 45
-
12
Turn right onto West Fayette Avenue
1123 ft · 33 sec · West Fayette Avenue
-
13
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · South 3rd Street
-
14
Take the ramp right toward I-57 North, I-70 East: Champaign, Terre Haute
2624 ft · 1 min
-
15
Merge slight left
1.3 km · 55 sec
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
185.5 mi · 3 hr 21 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin
1718 ft · 33 sec
-
18
Keep slight right to continue on I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
1.8 mi · 3 min
-
19
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
20.8 mi · 26 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
20
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
21
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
-
22
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
-
23
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
-
24
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
-
25
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
-
26
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
-
27
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
-
28
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
-
29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fairfield and Des Plaines.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 57 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
185 mi · 03h 21m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny leaving Fairfield and Mostly Sunny near Des Plaines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fairfield to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 277.9 miles (447.2 km) and usually takes 04h 42m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Thomasboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 143.2 miles from Fairfield and 134.7 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 253.8 miles (408.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.99 one way or $73.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny around Fairfield and Mostly Sunny near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Thomasboro
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 Thomasboro.
Rantoul
Illinois Terminal
Danville, Illinois
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fairfield and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 253.74 mi (408.36 km).
#1 Fairfield
City in Illinois, United States
| Population | 4,889 |
| Coordinates | 38.3789400, -88.3597700 |
| Altitude | 134 |
| 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: 447 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $36.99 | $73.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $41.72 | $83.44 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $45.66 | $91.31 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $52.03 | $104.06 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.