How far is Rolling Meadows, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Rolling Meadows, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 8.6 miles (13.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 7.5 miles (12.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 37m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
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 18m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Village in Elk Grove and Wheeling Townships in Cook County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rolling Meadows and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rolling Meadows and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on Bluebird Lane
77 m · 17 sec · Bluebird Lane
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2
Turn left onto Campbell Street
2610 ft · 2 min · Campbell Street
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3
Turn right onto South Wilke Road
2685 ft · 56 sec · South Wilke Road
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4
Continue on New Wilke Road
575 ft · 13 sec · New Wilke Road
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5
Turn slight left onto West Kirchhoff Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · West Kirchhoff Road
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6
Turn straight onto West Central Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · West Central Road
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7
Turn slight right onto West Northwest Highway
3.1 mi · 5 min · West Northwest Highway
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8
Continue on Miner Street
2626 ft · 52 sec · Miner Street
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9
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
2330 ft · 56 sec · South Des Plaines River Road
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10
Turn right onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rolling Meadows 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 Northwest Highway
Turn slight right onto West Northwest Highway
3.11 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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Rolling Meadows 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 Rolling Meadows to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 8.6 miles (13.8 km) and usually takes 00h 18m 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?
Mount Prospect is a useful midpoint, sitting about 4.3 miles from Rolling Meadows and 4.3 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 7.5 miles (12.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.1 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:52 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.40 one way or $2.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 2.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Rolling Meadows and Showers And Thunderstorms near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Mount Prospect
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 Mount Prospect.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Summit
Chicago Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rolling Meadows and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 7.52 mi (12.11 km).
#1 Rolling Meadows
City in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 23,246 |
| Coordinates | 42.0841900, -88.0131300 |
| Altitude | 219 |
| 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: 14 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $1.40 | $2.80 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $1.59 | $3.18 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $1.75 | $3.50 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $1.97 | $3.94 |
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