How far is North Center, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from North Center, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 14.2 miles (22.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 11.9 miles (19.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CST.
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 36m.
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 United States of America
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 North Center and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Center and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on the route
21 m · 7 sec
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2
Turn right
22 m · 5 sec
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3
Turn left onto West Irving Park Road
2.7 mi · 5 min · West Irving Park Road
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4
Turn slight right onto Kennedy Irving Park Road
119 m · 16 sec · Kennedy Irving Park Road
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5
Turn right onto North Keeler Avenue
120 m · 20 sec · North Keeler Avenue
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6
Take the ramp left toward I 90 West, I 94 West
806 ft · 22 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Kennedy Expressway
2640 ft · 41 sec · Kennedy Expressway
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8
Continue on Edens Expressway
2.2 mi · 2 min · Edens Expressway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 14 West: Caldwell Avenue
1068 ft · 26 sec
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10
Turn slight right onto North Caldwell Avenue
2.5 mi · 4 min · North Caldwell Avenue
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11
Turn left onto West Touhy Avenue
2.3 mi · 4 min · West Touhy Avenue
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12
Turn slight right onto Busse Highway
1.5 mi · 3 min · Busse Highway
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13
Turn slight left onto Oakton Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Oakton Street
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14
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.1 km · 1 min · South Des Plaines River Road
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15
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North Center 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.
West Irving Park Road
Turn left onto West Irving Park Road
2.69 mi · 00h 05m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving North Center 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 North Center to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 14.2 miles (22.8 km) and usually takes 00h 36m 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?
Lincolnwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 7 miles from North Center and 7.1 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 11.9 miles (19.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:16 PM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.30 one way or $4.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around North Center and Mostly Sunny near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Lincolnwood
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 Lincolnwood.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North Center and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 11.85 mi (19.07 km).
#1 North Center
North Center is a place in Illinois, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 41.9539200, -87.6789500 |
| Altitude | 182 |
| 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: 23 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.61 | $2.30 | $4.61 |
| Mid-grade | $5.24 | $2.62 | $5.24 |
| Premium | $5.79 | $2.90 | $5.79 |
| Diesel | $6.59 | $3.30 | $6.59 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026