How far is South Elgin, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from South Elgin, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 27.3 miles (44 km), with a travel time of about 00h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.2 miles (34.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 19m 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 39m.
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 United States of America
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 South Elgin and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Elgin and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on South Center Street
12 m · 4 sec · South Center Street
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2
Turn right onto East State Street
608 ft · 14 sec · East State Street
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3
Turn right onto South Gilbert Street
104 m · 12 sec · South Gilbert Street
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4
Turn left onto East Middle Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · East Middle Street
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5
Continue on Bartlett Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · Bartlett Road
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6
Turn left onto South Sutton Road
2.6 mi · 5 min · South Sutton Road
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7
Continue on New Sutton Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · New Sutton Road
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8
Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 Toll East: Chicago
1849 ft · 45 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
13.2 mi · 14 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Elmhurst Road
2200 ft · 42 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Elmhurst Road North
88 m · 9 sec
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12
Turn straight onto South Elmhurst Road
1889 ft · 42 sec · South Elmhurst Road
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13
Turn right onto West Oakton Street
645 ft · 13 sec · West Oakton Street
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14
Continue on West Oakton Street
1.4 km · 2 min · West Oakton Street
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15
Continue on East Oakton Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · East Oakton Street
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16
Turn left onto Lee Street
2735 ft · 59 sec · Lee Street
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17
Turn right onto East Algonquin Road
2758 ft · 2 min · East Algonquin Road
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18
Turn left onto White Street
650 ft · 30 sec · White Street
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19
Turn right onto Henry Avenue
80 m · 12 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 South Elgin 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.
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
13.2 mi · 00h 14m
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 South Elgin 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 South Elgin to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 27.3 miles (44 km) and usually takes 00h 39m 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?
South Barrington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.7 miles from South Elgin and 13.7 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.2 miles (34.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.1 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 7:10 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.48 one way or $8.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around South Elgin and Showers And Thunderstorms near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near South Barrington
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 South Barrington.
Glenview station
Naperville
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Elgin and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 21.16 mi (34.06 km).
#1 South Elgin
City in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 24,646 |
| Coordinates | 41.9941900, -88.2923000 |
| Altitude | 216 |
| 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: 44 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $4.48 | $8.96 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $5.08 | $10.16 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $5.60 | $11.21 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $6.31 | $12.62 |
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