How far is Lake of the Woods, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Lake of the Woods, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 157 miles (252.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 128.7 miles (207.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 11m 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 35m.
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.
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake of the Woods and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake of the Woods and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on the route
42 m · 11 sec
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2
Turn right
92 m · 24 sec
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3
Turn right onto North Lake of the Woods Road
138 m · 12 sec · North Lake of the Woods Road
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4
Turn right onto County Road 50
1318 ft · 1 min · County Road 50
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5
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Prairieview Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Prairieview Road
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6
Take the ramp slight left toward I 74 East: Champaign
1566 ft · 39 sec
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7
Merge slight left
4.3 mi · 5 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 57: Chicago, Memphis
1869 ft · 35 sec
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
1.1 km · 1 min
-
10
Merge slight left
111.1 mi · 2 hr 1 min
-
11
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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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
1.8 mi · 3 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
20.8 mi · 26 min · Tri-State Tollway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
-
17
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
-
18
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
-
19
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
-
20
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
-
21
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
-
22
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake of the Woods and Des Plaines.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 57 North
Merge slight left
111 mi · 02h 01m
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 then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lake of the Woods and Partly 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 of the Woods to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 157 miles (252.7 km) and usually takes 02h 35m 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?
Aroma Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.2 miles from Lake of the Woods and 78.8 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 128.7 miles (207.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.3 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 1:18 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.89 one way or $41.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lake of the Woods and Partly Sunny near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Aroma Park
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 Aroma Park.
Kankakee
Gilman
Dwight station
Dyer station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake of the Woods and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 128.73 mi (207.17 km).
#1 Lake of the Woods
Census designated place in Illinois, United States
| Population | 2,912 |
| Coordinates | 40.2064200, -88.3686700 |
| Altitude | 228 |
| 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: 253 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.89 | $41.78 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.56 | $47.12 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.78 | $51.57 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.38 | $58.77 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.