This 90.8-mile drive from Clifton, IL to Des Plaines, IL is a straightforward trip through the Midwest, easily completed in about 1 hour and 51 minutes. It's an ideal day trip, with an estimated fuel cost of $14, making it an economical choice. The route primarily utilizes major roadways, including I-57 and the Tri-State Tollway, suggesting a predominantly highway experience. With no designated stops, you have the flexibility to manage your journey at your own pace. This drive is a practical option for getting between these two Illinois locations without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.4 miles from Clifton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
51.9 mi
57m
Tri-State Tollway
32.5 mi
40m
South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi
3m
East 2900 North Road
0.5 mi
1m
South Main Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Henry Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
East Touhy Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 51.9 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton, IL and Des Plaines, IL.
1
Start on South Main Street
0.5 mi·54 sec·South Main Street
2
Turn left onto East 2900 North Road
0.5 mi·1 min·East 2900 North Road
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·34 sec
Toward I-57 North: Kankakee
4
Merge onto I 57
52 mi·57 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 349-350Toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, WisconsinUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
1.8 mi·3 min
Exit 349Toward I 294 Toll North: WisconsinUse the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Merge onto I 294
21 mi·25 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
12 mi·15 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy AvenueUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy Avenue
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Touhy Avenue WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 42BToward Touhy Avenue WestUse the right lane.
13
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
325 ft·7 sec·East Touhy Avenue
14
Turn slight right
339 ft·9 sec
15
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi·3 min·South Des Plaines River Road
16
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
0.1 mi·24 sec·Henry Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
Henry Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 1 hour and 51-minute duration, this drive is best tackled in one go, offering flexibility for departure times. Starting early can help you avoid any potential congestion, especially as you get closer to the Des Plaines area. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest uninterrupted stretch is over 50 miles on I-57, and plan your refueling accordingly. With a low estimated fuel cost of $14, this trip is budget-friendly, so focus on enjoying the drive rather than worrying about frequent stops.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 45.4 miles from Clifton, IL, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.9 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 20 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.4 miles or 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Des Plaines, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clifton, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Clifton, IL
This is one driving day of about 90.8 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Clifton, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 51.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 53.1 and 88.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
53.1 mi into trip|~1h in
Take the exit toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 349-350
Toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevar...
8
53.5 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 349
Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
7
87.8 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward Touhy Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
7
88.4 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Touhy Avenue West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Touhy Avenue West
8
88.5 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Touhy Avenue West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 42B
Toward Touhy Avenue West
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.20 one way
$28.39 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$15.59
$31.17
premium
$4.89
$17.47
$34.95
diesel
$5.61
$20.05
$40.09
Estimated Tolls: $1.95
Tri-state Tollway
(32.5 mi)$1.95
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.2
0
$9.53
$4.36
Efficient EV
22.7
0
$7.94
$3.63
EV Truck/SUV
36.3
0
$12.71
$5.81
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Clifton, IL
Morning
in Clifton on Sunday
Local time
9:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Des Plaines, IL
Morning
in Des Plaines on Sunday
Local time
9:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Cloudy
WSW 15 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
67°F
Burbank, IL
45 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
7 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 51m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 56.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 57% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 51.9 miles on I-57, offering a consistent pace. The use of the Tri-State Tollway and South Des Plaines River Road indicates a transition from interstate speeds to potentially more varied road conditions as you approach your destination. This combination means periods of open highway cruising followed by segments that might require more attention to local traffic and road configurations.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.9 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 53.1 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 90.8 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 53.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 53.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
821 ft599 ft
Total Climb
322 ft
Total Descent
356 ft
Highest Point
821 ft
~38.9 mi in
Elevation Range
222 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Clifton, IL to Des Plaines, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Wisconsin along the way.
Des Plaines is in Chicagoland. It is an inner-ring, northwest suburb of Chicago with two distinct portions: a suburban northern portion reminiscient of other, nearby northwest suburbs (including Niles, Park Ridge, and Mount Prospect), as well as a built-up southern portion with the businesses, hotels, and other amenities of the O'Hare Airport corridor (much like Rosemont, Chicago's O'Hare neighborhood, and Elk Grove Village).
Top landmarks
•McDonald's #1 Store Museum — former McDonald's spot
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 51m. Total distance: 90.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (57%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.9 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.95 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Des Plaines, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 53.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 53.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Des Plaines, IL before heading back.
