How far is Lafayette, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Lafayette, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 165 miles (265.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 125.5 miles (201.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 37m 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 02h 48m.
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.
City in LaSalle County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lafayette and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lafayette and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on Madison Street
1964 ft · 33 sec · Madison Street
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2
Continue on 2100 E
2 mi · 3 min · 2100 E
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3
At the end of the road, turn left
4.5 mi · 8 min
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4
At the end of the road, turn right
5.2 mi · 9 min
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5
Turn right onto East 2nd Street
2506 ft · 42 sec · East 2nd Street
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6
Turn slight left onto North East Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · North East Street
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7
Turn left
12 mi · 18 min
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8
Turn right onto West Railroad Street
1.6 km · 1 min · West Railroad Street
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9
Continue on North Mason Street
1757 ft · 29 sec · North Mason Street
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10
Continue on County Road 1500 N
2.5 mi · 4 min · County Road 1500 N
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11
Turn left onto IL 40
1.4 mi · 2 min · IL 40
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12
Take the ramp left
1690 ft · 42 sec
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13
Merge slight left
81.3 mi · 1 hr 27 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North: Chicago
1892 ft · 54 sec
-
15
Merge slight left
26.6 mi · 33 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
-
18
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
-
21
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
-
22
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
-
23
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
-
24
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
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25
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
-
26
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
-
27
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lafayette and Des Plaines.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
IL 40
Merge slight left
81.3 mi · 01h 27m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy leaving Lafayette and Showers And Thunderstorms near Des Plaines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lafayette to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 165 miles (265.6 km) and usually takes 02h 48m 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?
Marseilles is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.5 miles from Lafayette and 84.6 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 125.5 miles (201.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.5 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 12:52 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.15 one way or $54.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy around Lafayette and Showers And Thunderstorms near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Marseilles
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 Marseilles.
Dwight station
Plano
Mendota station
Pontiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lafayette and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 125.44 mi (201.88 km).
#1 Lafayette
Township in Ogle County, Illinois
| Population | 161 |
| Coordinates | 41.1080900, -89.9715000 |
| Altitude | 243 |
| 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: 266 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $27.15 | $54.30 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $30.80 | $61.60 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $33.97 | $67.94 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $38.24 | $76.49 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026