How far is Oak Forest, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Oak Forest, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 37.2 miles (59.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.6 miles (49.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 32m 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 00h 46m.
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.
Village in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Oak Forest and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oak Forest and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on the route
36 m · 11 sec
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2
Turn uturn onto West 159th Street
2203 ft · 50 sec · West 159th Street
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3
Turn left onto Cicero Avenue
4.1 mi · 7 min · Cicero Avenue
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
2787 ft · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
17.3 mi · 21 min · Tri-State Tollway
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
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11
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
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12
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
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13
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
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14
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Oak Forest 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
17.3 mi · 00h 21m
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.
Rain Showers leaving Oak Forest 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 Oak Forest to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 37.2 miles (59.8 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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?
Western Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.6 miles from Oak Forest and 18.6 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.6 miles (49.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:58 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.11 one way or $12.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Oak Forest and Showers And Thunderstorms near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Western Springs
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 Western Springs.
La Grange Road
Summit
Naperville
Chicago Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Oak Forest and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 30.6 mi (49.25 km).
#1 Oak Forest
City in Cook County, Illinois
| Population | 26,884 |
| Coordinates | 41.6028100, -87.7439400 |
| Altitude | 205 |
| 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: 60 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $6.11 | $12.22 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $6.93 | $13.87 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $7.65 | $15.29 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $8.61 | $17.22 |
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