How far is Frankfort, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
Fastest route
The route from Frankfort, Illinois to Des Plaines, Illinois via I-294 N is approximately 54 minutes long and covers a distance of 53.0 miles. The route includes tolls.
Directions
- Head west toward E Sauk Trail in Richton Park.
- Turn right toward E Sauk Trail.
- Turn right onto E Sauk Trail.
- Turn right onto S Harlem Ave.
- Turn left onto Sauk Trail.
- Turn left to merge onto I-57 N.
- Follow I-57 N and I-294 N to W Touhy Ave in Maine Township.
Tips & Suggestions
- 🛣️ Merge onto I-57 N and continue on I-294 N.
- 🚗 Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 349 toward Wisconsin (Toll road).
- 🚧 Keep left to stay on I-294 N (Toll road).
- 🛣️ Take the exit toward I-294 N (Toll road).
- 🚧 Keep left at the fork, follow signs for I-294 N/O'Hare Arpt/Milwaukee and merge onto I-294 N (Toll road).
- 🚧 Keep left to stay on I-294 N (Toll road).
- 💰 Use the right 2 lanes to take the Touhy Ave exit (Toll road).
- 🔄 Keep right at the fork to continue toward W Touhy Ave (Toll road).
- 🔄 Keep left at the fork to continue on Exit 42B, follow signs for W Touhy Ave and merge onto W Touhy Ave (Toll road).
- 🛣️ Take Des Plaines River Rd/S River Rd to Henry Ave in Des Plaines.
- ➡️ Turn right onto Des Plaines River Rd/S River Rd.
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 05h 07m.
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.
Township in Champaign County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Frankfort and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Frankfort and Des Plaines.
-
1
Start on East Saint Louis Street
30 m · 9 sec · East Saint Louis Street
-
2
Turn left onto North Benton Road
788 ft · 37 sec · North Benton Road
-
3
Turn right onto East Main Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · East Main Street
-
4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
6 m · 1 sec
-
5
Exit the roundabout
1714 ft · 42 sec
-
6
Merge slight left onto Ken Gray Expressway
31 mi · 34 min · Ken Gray Expressway
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
67.5 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Ken Gray Expressway
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
185.5 mi · 3 hr 21 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin
1718 ft · 33 sec
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
1.8 mi · 3 min
-
11
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
20.8 mi · 26 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
-
16
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
-
17
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
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18
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
-
19
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
-
20
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
-
21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Frankfort and Des Plaines.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Frankfort and Showers And Thunderstorms near Des Plaines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Frankfort to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 325 miles (523 km) and usually takes 05h 07m 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?
Sadorus is a useful midpoint, sitting about 162.3 miles from Frankfort and 162.7 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 290.6 miles (467.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $53.51 one way or $107.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 101.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Frankfort and Showers And Thunderstorms near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Sadorus
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 Sadorus.
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Mattoon station
Danville, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Frankfort and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 290.63 mi (467.72 km).
#1 Frankfort
County seat city in Franklin County, Kentucky, USA and Kentucky federated state capital city
| Population | 19,411 |
| Coordinates | 37.9000500, -88.9022900 |
| Altitude | 145 |
| 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: 523 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $53.51 | $107.02 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $60.70 | $121.40 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $66.95 | $133.90 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $75.37 | $150.74 |
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