How far is Kankakee, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Kankakee, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 76.5 miles (123.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 63.1 miles (101.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 40m 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 20m.
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.
A city located in Cook County, Illinois.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kankakee and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kankakee and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on East Court Street
122 m · 16 sec · East Court Street
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2
Turn left onto North Harrison Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · North Harrison Avenue
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Fair Street
2023 ft · 36 sec · Fair Street
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4
Continue on North Hobbie Avenue
3102 ft · 54 sec · North Hobbie Avenue
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5
Continue on South Kinzie Avenue
2.1 mi · 4 min · South Kinzie Avenue
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6
Turn left onto I-57 North: Chicago
1280 ft · 33 sec
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7
Merge slight left
33.1 mi · 38 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin
1718 ft · 33 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
1.8 mi · 3 min
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10
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
20.8 mi · 26 min · Tri-State Tollway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
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16
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
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17
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
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18
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
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19
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kankakee and Des Plaines.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
I-57 North
Merge slight left
33.1 mi · 00h 38m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Kankakee 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 Kankakee to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 76.5 miles (123.1 km) and usually takes 01h 20m 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?
Markham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 37.5 miles from Kankakee and 39 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 63.1 miles (101.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.18 one way or $20.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Kankakee and Mostly Sunny near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Markham
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 Markham.
Homewood
Dyer station
Hammond–Whiting station
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kankakee and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 63.11 mi (101.57 km).
#1 Kankakee
City in Kankakee County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 25,668 |
| Coordinates | 41.1200300, -87.8611500 |
| Altitude | 200 |
| 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: 123 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $10.18 | $20.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $11.48 | $22.97 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $12.57 | $25.13 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $14.32 | $28.64 |
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.