How far is Valmeyer, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Valmeyer, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 320.6 miles (515.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 286.8 miles (461.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 05h 04m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Unincorporated community in Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Valmeyer and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Valmeyer and Des Plaines.
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1
Start on IL 156
6.4 mi · 11 min · IL 156
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2
Continue on Park Street
2721 ft · 54 sec · Park Street
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Park Street
35 m · 3 sec · Park Street
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4
Exit the roundabout onto Park Street
111 m · 16 sec · Park Street
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5
Turn left
11.4 mi · 13 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 255 North, IL 3 North, US 50 East: East Saint Louis, Chicago, Great River Road Illinois North
18.2 mi · 22 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North, I 70 East: Indianapolis, Chicago
1.2 km · 2 min
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8
Merge slight left
8.3 mi · 10 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
107.9 mi · 1 hr 57 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
120.8 mi · 2 hr 14 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
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20
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
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21
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
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22
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
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23
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Valmeyer and Des Plaines.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 55 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
121 mi · 02h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Valmeyer 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 Valmeyer to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 320.6 miles (515.9 km) and usually takes 05h 04m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lawndale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 162.7 miles from Valmeyer and 158 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 286.8 miles (461.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:52 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.65 one way or $85.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 100.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Valmeyer and Mostly Sunny near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Lawndale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Lincoln
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lawndale.
Lincoln
Uptown Station
Springfield station
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Valmeyer and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 286.85 mi (461.64 km).
#1 Valmeyer
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 1,238 |
| Coordinates | 38.3056100, -90.2765100 |
| Altitude | 224 |
| 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: 516 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $42.65 | $85.30 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $48.10 | $96.20 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $52.64 | $105.27 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $59.99 | $119.98 |
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.