How far is Glenwood, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Glenwood, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 45.9 miles (73.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 36.8 miles (59.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 54m 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 57m.
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, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Glenwood and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Glenwood and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on Glenwood Lansing Road
1044 ft · 31 sec · Glenwood Lansing Road
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2
Continue on East Main Street
1.3 km · 2 min · East Main Street
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3
Continue on Glenwood Chicago Heights Road
1558 ft · 48 sec · Glenwood Chicago Heights Road
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4
Turn slight right
52 m · 8 sec
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5
Turn straight onto 187th Street
3217 ft · 2 min · 187th Street
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6
Turn right onto Halsted Street
2 mi · 4 min · Halsted Street
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7
Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 West, I 294 North: Tri-State Tollway, Iowa, Wisconsin
1382 ft · 55 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West, I 294 North: Iowa, Wisconsin
2462 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.3 km · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
24.3 mi · 30 min · Tri-State Tollway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
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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
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19
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
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20
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Glenwood 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
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
24.3 mi · 00h 30m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Glenwood 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 Glenwood to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 45.9 miles (73.8 km) and usually takes 00h 57m 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?
Willow Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.9 miles from Glenwood and 22.9 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 36.8 miles (59.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:36 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.11 one way or $12.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Glenwood and Mostly Sunny near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Willow Springs
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 Willow Springs.
Summit
La Grange Road
Chicago Union Station
Naperville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Glenwood and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 36.88 mi (59.35 km).
#1 Glenwood
City in Iowa
| Population | 8,617 |
| Coordinates | 41.5425300, -87.6022700 |
| Altitude | 189 |
| 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: 74 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $6.11 | $12.22 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.89 | $13.78 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $7.54 | $15.08 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $8.59 | $17.18 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.