How far is Hillcrest, IL from Des Plaines, IL?

The driving distance from Hillcrest, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 88.9 miles (143.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 60.9 miles (98 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
88.91 mi
01h 24m
Flight
60.92 mi
98.04 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Hillcrest.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
60.92 mi
Kilometers
98.04 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
88.91 mi
Kilometers
143.08 km
Drive Time
01h 24m

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 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Des Plaines
Thu, Apr 23, 1:49 AM CDT
Return by in Hillcrest
Thu, Apr 23, 3:14 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Hillcrest
2026-04-23T00:24
Arrive Des Plaines
Thu, Apr 23, 1:49 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:25 AM to 11:25 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:40 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Hillcrest
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Sugar Grove
IL

City in Kane County, Illinois, United States of America

From Hillcrest
40.4 mi
00h 42m
To Des Plaines
48.5 mi
00h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Hillcrest and Des Plaines.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hillcrest and Des Plaines.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    3.6 mi · 6 min

  2. 2

    Turn left

    2198 ft · 54 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

    58.3 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

  4. 4

    Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

    4.7 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford

    3128 ft · 1 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee

    1156 ft · 28 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    9.9 mi · 13 min · Tri-State Tollway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue

    635 ft · 16 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue

    2694 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West

    688 ft · 17 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West

    1799 ft · 44 sec

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue

    99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn slight right

    103 m · 9 sec

  14. 14

    Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road

    1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Henry Avenue

    557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Hillcrest and Des Plaines.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
16 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
63.1 mi · 71%
Tri-State Tollway
9.94 mi · 11%
South Des Plaines River Road
1.71 mi · 2%
Touhy Avenue
0.63 mi · 1%
I 294 North
0.59 mi · 1%
Touhy Avenue West
0.47 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

58.3 mi · 01h 06m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 24m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28 mi
60.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sugar Grove
00h 42m from Hillcrest
Leave By
3:40 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Hillcrest 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 Hillcrest to Des Plaines?

The road trip is about 88.9 miles (143.1 km) and usually takes 01h 24m 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?

Sugar Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.4 miles from Hillcrest and 48.5 miles from Des Plaines.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 60.9 miles (98 km), while the road route adds roughly 28 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 3:40 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.84 one way or $23.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Hillcrest and Mostly Sunny near Des Plaines.

Stop Ideas Near Sugar Grove

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Sugar Grove, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Sugar Grove.

RAIL

Plano

14 mi away
101 West Main Street
RAIL

Naperville

25 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

40 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street
RAIL

La Grange Road

48 mi away
25 West Burlington St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Hillcrest and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 60.92 mi (98.04 km).

Hillcrest

#1 Hillcrest

City in Illinois, United States of America

Population1,216
Coordinates41.9511400, -89.0645400
Altitude253
CountryUnited States
Des Plaines

#2 Des Plaines

The most populous city in Cook County, Illinois.

Population58,179
Coordinates42.0333600, -87.8834000
Altitude193
CountryUnited States
Start: IL 251 (-89.064502, 41.95114)
End: Henry Avenue (-87.883408, 42.033456)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 143 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 28m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 06m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.14 gal
11.88 L · about $11.84
Round trip
$23.68
6.28 gal · 23.76 L
Estimated CO2
27.9 kg one way
Round trip: 55.8 kg / 123 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $11.84 $23.68
Mid-grade $4.25 $13.35 $26.71
Premium $4.65 $14.61 $29.23
Diesel $5.30 $16.65 $33.31

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

There is no time difference between Hillcrest and Des Plaines. The current time is 00:24:29.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.