How far is Lake Bluff, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Lake Bluff, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 23.7 miles (38.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 17.1 miles (27.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 32m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Village in West Deerfield and Vernon townships of Lake County, Illinois, United States
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 Lake Bluff and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Bluff and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on East Center Avenue
2714 ft · 1 min · East Center Avenue
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2
Continue on West Scranton Avenue
2778 ft · 1 min · West Scranton Avenue
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3
Continue on Rockland Road
3 mi · 6 min · Rockland Road
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 94 Toll East: Indiana
1783 ft · 44 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
9.1 mi · 10 min · Tri-State Tollway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
7.2 mi · 9 min · Tri-State Tollway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward IL 58: Golf Road
2218 ft · 1 min
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8
Turn left onto North East River Road
536 ft · 18 sec · North East River Road
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9
Turn right onto East Golf Road
1.5 km · 2 min · East Golf Road
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10
Turn left onto North Des Plaines River Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Des Plaines River Road
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11
Turn right onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Bluff 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.
Tri-State Tollway
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
9.08 mi · 00h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Lake Bluff 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 Lake Bluff to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 23.7 miles (38.2 km) and usually takes 00h 32m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Bannockburn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.8 miles from Lake Bluff and 11.9 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 17.1 miles (27.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:24 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.17 one way or $6.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lake Bluff and Sunny near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Bannockburn
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 Bannockburn.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Bluff and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 17.15 mi (27.6 km).
#1 Lake Bluff
Village in Illinois
| Population | 5,524 |
| Coordinates | 42.2789100, -87.8342400 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| 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: 38 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.17 | $6.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.57 | $7.15 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.91 | $7.82 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $4.46 | $8.91 |
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.