How far is Harvard, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Harvard, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 63.1 miles (101.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 46 miles (74.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 18m 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 01h 09m.
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.
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Harvard and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harvard and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on North Division Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · North Division Street
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2
Turn right onto State Route 23
10.6 mi · 16 min · State Route 23
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3
Turn left onto East Grant Highway
4.4 mi · 6 min · East Grant Highway
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Grant Highway
33 m · 2 sec · East Grant Highway
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5
Exit the roundabout onto East Grant Highway
3.3 mi · 4 min · East Grant Highway
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Grant Highway
35 m · 2 sec · East Grant Highway
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7
Exit the roundabout onto East Grant Highway
1.1 km · 55 sec · East Grant Highway
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8
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
2239 ft · 38 sec · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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9
Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 Toll West, I 90 Toll East: Chicago, Rockford
1194 ft · 29 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 Toll East: Chicago
2462 ft · 60 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
31 mi · 33 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Elmhurst Road
2200 ft · 42 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Elmhurst Road North
88 m · 9 sec
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14
Turn straight onto South Elmhurst Road
1889 ft · 42 sec · South Elmhurst Road
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15
Turn right onto West Oakton Street
645 ft · 13 sec · West Oakton Street
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16
Continue on West Oakton Street
1.4 km · 2 min · West Oakton Street
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17
Continue on East Oakton Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · East Oakton Street
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18
Turn left onto Lee Street
2735 ft · 60 sec · Lee Street
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19
Turn right onto East Algonquin Road
2758 ft · 2 min · East Algonquin Road
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20
Turn left onto White Street
650 ft · 30 sec · White Street
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21
Turn right onto Henry Avenue
80 m · 12 sec · Henry Avenue
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Harvard 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.
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
31 mi · 00h 33m
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.
Sunny leaving Harvard and Sunny near Des Plaines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Harvard to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 63.1 miles (101.6 km) and usually takes 01h 09m 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?
Gilberts is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.5 miles from Harvard and 34.6 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 46 miles (74.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.1 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 4:12 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.41 one way or $16.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Harvard and Sunny near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Gilberts
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 Gilberts.
Naperville
Glenview station
Plano
La Grange Road
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Harvard and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 46.02 mi (74.06 km).
#1 Harvard
Private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| Population | 8,979 |
| Coordinates | 42.4222400, -88.6137100 |
| Altitude | 292 |
| 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: 102 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $8.41 | $16.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $9.48 | $18.97 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $10.38 | $20.76 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $11.83 | $23.66 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.