How far is Willowbrook, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
Fastest route
The route from Willowbrook, Illinois, USA to Des Plaines, Illinois, USA is approximately 22.0 miles and takes about 30 minutes via I-294 N. The route includes tolls and avoids a road closure on I-294 N.
Directions
- 🚗 Head east on Ridgemoor Dr toward S Madison St.
- 🚦 Turn left onto S Madison St.
- 🛣️ Continue on IL-83 N.
- 🛣️ Take I-88 E and I-294 N to W Touhy Ave in Maine Township. Take the Touhy Ave exit from I-294 N.
- 🛣️ Take the exit onto I-88 E toward Chicago (Toll road).
- 🛣️ Use the right 2 lanes to take the I-290 W exit toward Rockford (Toll road).
- 🛣️ Keep left at the fork, follow signs for I-294 N/O'Hare Arpt/Milwaukee and merge onto I-294 N (Toll road).
- 🛣️ Keep left to stay on I-294 N (Toll road).
- 🛣️ Use the right 2 lanes to take the Touhy Ave exit (Toll road).
- 🛣️ Keep right at the fork to continue toward W Touhy Ave (Toll road).
- 🛣️ Keep left at the fork to continue on Exit 42B, follow signs for W Touhy Ave and merge onto W Touhy Ave (Toll road).
- 🚦 Take Des Plaines River Rd/S River Rd to Henry Ave in Des Plaines.
- 🚗 Turn right onto Des Plaines River Rd/S River Rd.
Tips & Suggestions
- It's recommended to check for any traffic updates or road closures before starting your journey.
- Make sure to have sufficient change or a compatible electronic toll payment device for the tolls on the route.
- Use GPS or a navigation app to follow the route accurately.
- Observe traffic signs and signals for a safe and smooth journey.
- Plan your travel time accordingly, considering possible delays during peak hours.
- Keep necessary documents like your driver's license and vehicle registration handy.
- Stay alert and focused on the road, following all traffic regulations.
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 28m.
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.
A city in DuPage County, Illinois.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Willowbrook and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Willowbrook and Des Plaines.
-
1
Start on Ridgemoor Drive
28 m · 7 sec · Ridgemoor Drive
-
2
Turn left onto South Madison Street
1648 ft · 51 sec · South Madison Street
-
3
Turn left onto 63rd Street
2771 ft · 1 min · 63rd Street
-
4
Turn right onto Kingery Highway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Kingery Highway
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 East Toll: Chicago
3216 ft · 1 min
-
6
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
2 mi · 3 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
3128 ft · 1 min
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
1156 ft · 28 sec
-
9
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
9.9 mi · 13 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
-
14
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
-
15
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
-
16
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
-
17
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
-
18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Willowbrook 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
9.94 mi · 00h 13m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Willowbrook and Sunny near Des Plaines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Willowbrook to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 22 miles (35.4 km) and usually takes 00h 28m 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?
Elmhurst is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11 miles from Willowbrook and 11 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 18.4 miles (29.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.6 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 7:34 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.94 one way or $5.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Willowbrook and Sunny near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Elmhurst
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 Elmhurst.
La Grange Road
Summit
Glenview station
Naperville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Willowbrook and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 18.41 mi (29.63 km).
#1 Willowbrook
City in DuPage County, Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 8,507 |
| Coordinates | 41.7697500, -87.9358900 |
| Altitude | 223 |
| 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: 35 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.94 | $5.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.32 | $6.63 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.63 | $7.26 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $4.14 | $8.27 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.