How far is Richmond, IL from Des Plaines, IL?

The driving distance from Richmond, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 51.4 miles (82.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 37.5 miles (60.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
51.37 mi
01h 02m
Flight
37.44 mi
60.25 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Richmond.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
37.44 mi
Kilometers
60.25 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
51.37 mi
Kilometers
82.67 km
Drive Time
01h 02m

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 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Des Plaines
Fri, Apr 17, 5:49 PM CDT
Return by in Richmond
Fri, Apr 17, 6:52 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Richmond
2026-04-17T16:46
Arrive Des Plaines
Fri, Apr 17, 5:49 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:03 AM to 11:03 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:24 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Richmond
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Wauconda
IL

Village in Lake County, Illinois, United States

From Richmond
21.1 mi
00h 31m
To Des Plaines
30.3 mi
00h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Friday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SSE
Destination
76°F
Friday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Richmond and Des Plaines.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Richmond and Des Plaines.

  1. 1

    Start on Broadway Street

    14 m · 7 sec · Broadway Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Main Street

    1.7 mi · 2 min · Main Street

  3. 3

    Continue straight

    12.4 mi · 15 min

  4. 4

    Continue straight

    1.1 mi · 1 min

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    1576 ft · 26 sec

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    575 ft · 7 sec

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    1.7 mi · 2 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    1.1 mi · 1 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    22.8 mi · 35 min

  10. 10

    Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · South Des Plaines River Road

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Henry Avenue

    557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Richmond and Des Plaines.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
12 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Main Street
41.2 mi · 80%
South Des Plaines River Road
0.99 mi · 2%
Henry Avenue
0.11 mi
Broadway Street
0.01 mi
Longest Stretch

Main Street

Continue straight

22.8 mi · 00h 35m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 02m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.9 mi
37.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wauconda
00h 31m from Richmond
Leave By
4:24 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Richmond 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 Richmond to Des Plaines?

The road trip is about 51.4 miles (82.7 km) and usually takes 01h 02m 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?

Wauconda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.1 miles from Richmond and 30.3 miles from Des Plaines.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 37.5 miles (60.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.9 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 4:24 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.83 one way or $13.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Richmond and Partly Sunny near Des Plaines.

Stop Ideas Near Wauconda

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Wauconda, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Wauconda.

RAIL

Glenview station

34 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

Naperville

53 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

La Grange Road

54 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Sturtevant station

55 mi away
9900 East Exploration Court

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Richmond and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 37.44 mi (60.25 km).

Richmond

#1 Richmond

Place in Illinois United States of America

Population1,896
Coordinates42.4758500, -88.3059300
Altitude250
CountryUnited States
Des Plaines

#2 Des Plaines

The most populous city in Cook County, Illinois.

Population58,179
Coordinates42.0333600, -87.8834000
Altitude193
CountryUnited States
Start: Broadway Street (-88.305929, 42.475927)
End: Henry Avenue (-87.883408, 42.033456)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 83 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 44m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.81 gal
6.86 L · about $6.83
Round trip
$13.65
3.62 gal · 13.72 L
Estimated CO2
16.1 kg one way
Round trip: 32.2 kg / 71 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.83 $13.65
Mid-grade $4.25 $7.70 $15.40
Premium $4.65 $8.42 $16.85
Diesel $5.30 $9.60 $19.20

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Richmond and Des Plaines. The current time is 16:46:39.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.