How far is Pontiac, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Pontiac, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 101.3 miles (163 km), with a travel time of about 01h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 88.5 miles (142.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 28m 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 01h 44m.
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 Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Cloudy then Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Pontiac and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pontiac and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on North Mill Street
33 m · 8 sec · North Mill Street
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2
Turn left onto West Howard Street
1.2 km · 2 min · West Howard Street
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3
Turn right onto Old Route 66
2100 ft · 46 sec · Old Route 66
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4
Turn left onto West Custer Avenue
682 ft · 17 sec · West Custer Avenue
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5
Continue on North 1500 East Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · North 1500 East Road
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North: Joliet
2198 ft · 54 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
76.1 mi · 1 hr 26 min · Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
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16
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
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17
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
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18
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
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19
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Pontiac 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.
Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
Merge slight left onto Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
76.1 mi · 01h 26m
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 Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers leaving Pontiac and Mostly Cloudy then Rain Showers Likely near Des Plaines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Pontiac to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 101.3 miles (163 km) and usually takes 01h 44m 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?
Channahon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 50.6 miles from Pontiac and 50.7 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 88.5 miles (142.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.8 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 3:02 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.76 one way or $33.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers around Pontiac and Mostly Cloudy then Rain Showers Likely near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Channahon
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 Channahon.
Joliet Transportation Center
Plano
Naperville
Dwight station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Pontiac and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 88.51 mi (142.45 km).
#1 Pontiac
Pontiac is a place in Illinois, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.8808700, -88.6297800 |
| Altitude | 196 |
| 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: 163 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.69 | $16.76 | $33.52 |
| Mid-grade | $5.33 | $19.03 | $38.06 |
| Premium | $5.88 | $20.97 | $41.95 |
| Diesel | $6.58 | $23.48 | $46.97 |
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 16, 2026