How far is Union Grove, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Union Grove, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 132 miles (212.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 111 miles (178.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 20m 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 02h 10m.
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 Illinois, US
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Union Grove and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union Grove and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on Ward Road
17 m · 7 sec · Ward Road
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2
Turn left onto Hillside Road
1123 ft · 38 sec · Hillside Road
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3
Turn left onto Lincoln Road
2.5 mi · 4 min · Lincoln Road
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4
Continue on West Lincoln Way
985 ft · 24 sec · West Lincoln Way
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5
Continue on West Lincolnway
1.2 km · 2 min · West Lincolnway
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6
Continue on East Lincoln Way
1.3 mi · 3 min · East Lincoln Way
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7
Continue on Lincoln Road
9 mi · 12 min · Lincoln Road
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8
Continue straight
1334 ft · 17 sec
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9
Continue straight
1581 ft · 20 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 88 East: Dixon
1.4 km · 2 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
7.2 mi · 8 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
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12
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
91 mi · 1 hr 41 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
3128 ft · 1 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
1156 ft · 28 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
9.9 mi · 13 min · Tri-State Tollway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
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21
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
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22
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
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23
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
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24
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Union Grove and Des Plaines.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
91 mi · 01h 41m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Union Grove 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 Union Grove to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 132 miles (212.5 km) and usually takes 02h 10m 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?
Malta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.9 miles from Union Grove and 66.1 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 111 miles (178.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 21 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 2:10 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.57 one way or $35.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Union Grove and Mostly Sunny near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Malta
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 Malta.
Rockford, Illinois
Plano
Mendota station
Naperville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Union Grove and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 111.01 mi (178.65 km).
#1 Union Grove
Township in Whiteside County, Illinois
| Population | 1,113 |
| Coordinates | 41.8342000, -90.0265100 |
| Altitude | 210 |
| 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: 212 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.57 | $35.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.82 | $39.64 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $21.69 | $43.38 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $24.72 | $49.43 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.