How far is Island Lake, IL from Des Plaines, IL?

The driving distance from Island Lake, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 24.9 miles (40 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 23.1 miles (37.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 32m 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
24.88 mi
00h 46m
Flight
23.05 mi
37.09 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Island Lake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
23.05 mi
Kilometers
37.09 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
24.88 mi
Kilometers
40.04 km
Drive Time
00h 46m

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 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Des Plaines
Wed, Apr 15, 3:47 AM CDT
Return by in Island Lake
Wed, Apr 15, 4:33 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Island Lake
2026-04-15T03:01
Arrive Des Plaines
Wed, Apr 15, 3:47 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:46 AM to 10:46 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:58 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Island Lake
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
Kildeer
IL

City in Illinois, United States of America

From Island Lake
12.4 mi
00h 23m
To Des Plaines
12.4 mi
00h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Wednesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph SW
Destination
63°F
Wednesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Island Lake and Des Plaines.

  1. 1

    Start on Rose Avenue

    63 m · 11 sec · Rose Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Greenleaf Avenue

    2157 ft · 2 min · Greenleaf Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East State Road

    1.7 mi · 3 min · East State Road

  4. 4

    Continue on West Liberty Street

    2219 ft · 1 min · West Liberty Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right

    1724 ft · 47 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto South Rand Road

    10.1 mi · 13 min · South Rand Road

  7. 7

    Continue on North Rand Road

    6.6 mi · 12 min · North Rand Road

  8. 8

    Continue on West Rand Road

    2 mi · 3 min · West Rand Road

  9. 9

    Continue on Rand Road

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Rand Road

  10. 10

    Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · South Des Plaines River Road

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Henry Avenue

    557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
12 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
48.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Rand Road
10.1 mi · 40%
North Rand Road
6.65 mi · 27%
Rand Road
2.23 mi · 9%
West Rand Road
1.98 mi · 8%
East State Road
1.66 mi · 7%
South Des Plaines River Road
0.99 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

South Rand Road

Merge slight left onto South Rand Road

10.1 mi · 00h 13m

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
00h 46m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+1.8 mi
23.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kildeer
00h 23m from Island Lake
Leave By
4:58 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Island Lake and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Des Plaines.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Island Lake to Des Plaines?

The road trip is about 24.9 miles (40 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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?

Kildeer is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.4 miles from Island Lake and 12.4 miles from Des Plaines.

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

The direct path is about 23.1 miles (37.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.8 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 4:58 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.32 one way or $6.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Island Lake and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Des Plaines.

Stop Ideas Near Kildeer

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Kildeer, 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 Kildeer.

RAIL

Glenview station

23 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

La Grange Road

42 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Naperville

44 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

Summit

46 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Island Lake and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 23.05 mi (37.09 km).

Island Lake

#1 Island Lake

City in Illinois, United States of America

Population7,951
Coordinates42.2761300, -88.1920300
Altitude238
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: Rose Avenue (-88.19203, 42.276126)
End: Henry Avenue (-87.883408, 42.033456)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 40 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 49m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 24m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 21m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.88 gal
3.32 L · about $3.32
Round trip
$6.64
1.76 gal · 6.64 L
Estimated CO2
7.8 kg one way
Round trip: 15.6 kg / 34 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $3.32 $6.64
Mid-grade $4.25 $3.74 $7.49
Premium $4.65 $4.10 $8.19
Diesel $5.30 $4.67 $9.34

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Island Lake and Des Plaines. The current time is 03:01:16.

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.