How far is University Park, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from University Park, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 39.3 miles (63.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 32.1 miles (51.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 33m 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 00h 46m.
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 United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between University Park and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between University Park and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on Lancaster Drive
40 m · 11 sec · Lancaster Drive
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2
Turn left onto California Avenue
577 ft · 25 sec · California Avenue
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3
Continue on Sussex Avenue
1249 ft · 56 sec · Sussex Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Richmond Avenue
85 m · 13 sec · Richmond Avenue
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5
Continue on Richmond Avenue
1283 ft · 1 min · Richmond Avenue
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6
Turn right onto West 159th Street
2195 ft · 50 sec · West 159th Street
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7
Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
1385 ft · 34 sec
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8
Keep slight left
2154 ft · 53 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
22.8 mi · 28 min · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
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15
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
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16
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
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17
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
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18
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between University Park 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
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
22.8 mi · 00h 28m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving University Park and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Des Plaines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from University Park to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 39.3 miles (63.3 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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?
Indian Head Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.6 miles from University Park and 19.7 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 32.1 miles (51.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.2 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 4:56 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.24 one way or $10.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around University Park and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Indian Head Park
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 Indian Head Park.
La Grange Road
Summit
Naperville
Chicago Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between University Park and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 32.14 mi (51.72 km).
#1 University Park
Village in Will County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 6,817 |
| Coordinates | 41.5922565, -87.6853251 |
| Altitude | 188 |
| 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: 63 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.24 | $10.48 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.91 | $11.82 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.47 | $12.94 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.37 | $14.75 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.