How far is South Chicago Heights, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from South Chicago Heights, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 54.5 miles (87.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 40.2 miles (64.7 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.
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 02m.
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 Cook County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Chicago Heights and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Chicago Heights and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on West Sauk Trail
9 m · 8 sec · West Sauk Trail
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2
Turn left onto Chicago Road
2 mi · 5 min · Chicago Road
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3
Turn left onto Dixie Highway
1.5 mi · 3 min · Dixie Highway
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4
Keep slight right to continue on Dixie Highway
2.6 mi · 6 min · Dixie Highway
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5
Continue on Dixie Highway
562 ft · 22 sec · Dixie Highway
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6
Continue on Dixie Highway
2741 ft · 1 min · Dixie Highway
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7
Turn right onto Governors Highway
1681 ft · 36 sec · Governors Highway
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8
Continue on Wood Street
1251 ft · 31 sec · Wood Street
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9
Take the ramp left toward I 294 North, I 80 West: Tri-State Tollway
1717 ft · 40 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
618 ft · 10 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.3 km · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
24.3 mi · 30 min · Tri-State Tollway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
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18
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
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19
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
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20
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
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21
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Chicago Heights 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
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
24.3 mi · 00h 30m
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.
Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving South Chicago Heights 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 South Chicago Heights to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 54.5 miles (87.7 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?
Justice is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.9 miles from South Chicago Heights and 30.6 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 40.2 miles (64.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.3 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 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 $7.24 one way or $14.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny around South Chicago Heights and Mostly Sunny near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Justice
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 Justice.
Summit
La Grange Road
Chicago Union Station
Homewood
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Chicago Heights and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 40.22 mi (64.72 km).
#1 South Chicago Heights
Village in United States of America
| Population | 3,957 |
| Coordinates | 41.4808700, -87.6378200 |
| Altitude | 218 |
| 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: 88 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $7.24 | $14.48 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $8.17 | $16.33 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $8.94 | $17.87 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $10.18 | $20.37 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.