Des Plaines, IL to Breese, IL is 300 miles and takes about 5h 39m via I 57 and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, traversing Illinois entirely. Expect a straightforward drive primarily on major highways, making it a good option for a single-day journey. The route is efficient, designed for covering distance rather than leisurely sightseeing, so plan accordingly if you're looking for a scenic detour.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
150 miles from Des Plaines, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
229.4 mi
4h 7m
Tri-State Tollway
28.3 mi
35m
West Missouri Avenue
14.1 mi
16m
US 50
8 mi
9m
Cicero Avenue
4.9 mi
7m
Poplar
2.7 mi
3m
East Poplar Street
2.7 mi
3m
West Main Street
2.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 229.4 mi, about 4h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines, IL and Breese, IL.
1
Start on Henry Avenue
0.1 mi·25 sec·Henry Avenue
2
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.8 mi·3 min·South Des Plaines River Road
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward I 294 South: Indiana
4
Merge onto I 294
11 mi·14 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
3.5 mi·4 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 294
0.9 mi·1 min·Mile-Long Bridge
8
Continue on I 294
8.5 mi·10 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 12 B-AToward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 12AToward IL 50 South: Cicero AvenueUse the straight lane.
11
Turn straight onto IL 50; IL 83
4.9 mi·7 min·Cicero Avenue
Use the left lane.
12
Turn left onto 167th Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·167th Street
Use the left lane.
13
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 57 South: Kankakee, I-80
14
Merge onto I 57
188 mi·3 hr 23 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
41 mi·43 min·I 57
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
17
Keep slight right at fork
83 ft·2 sec
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
18
Turn right onto US 50
2.2 mi·2 min·West Main Street
19
Continue on US 50
2.7 mi·3 min·East Poplar Street
20
Continue on US 50
2.7 mi·3 min·Poplar
21
At end of road, turn left onto US 50; US 51
443 ft·5 sec·North Mine Street
22
Continue on US 50; US 51
0.2 mi·16 sec·N Mine St
23
Turn right onto US 50
14 mi·16 min·West Missouri Avenue
24
Turn right onto US 50; IL 127
1.0 mi·1 min·12th Street
25
Turn left onto US 50
8.0 mi·9 min·US 50
26
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
27
Turn left onto Jamestown Road
0.3 mi·33 sec·Jamestown Road
28
Continue on North Walnut Street
0.5 mi·55 sec·North Walnut Street
29
Turn slight right
141 ft·6 sec
30
Turn slight right onto Old Route 50 West
230 ft·4 sec·Old Route 50 West
31
Arrive at destination
Old Route 50 West
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 39m estimated duration, starting your drive in the morning from Des Plaines will allow ample time to reach Breese before evening. With only one recommended stop, consider breaking up the longest stretch on I 57, which spans 229.4 miles, to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $47 estimated cost suggests efficient highway driving, but it's always wise to top off before embarking on longer interstate segments. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on traffic or weather.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 150 miles from Des Plaines, IL, or about 2h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 229.4 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 66 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150 miles or 2h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Breese, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Des Plaines, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Des Plaines, IL
This is one driving day of about 300 miles and 5h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Des Plaines, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 229.4 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 267.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|South Des Plaines River Road
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
18.6 mi into trip|~25m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
31.5 mi into trip|~41m in
Take the exit toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street
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 12 B-A
Toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th...
8
31.7 mi into trip|~41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Exit 12A
Toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue
6
267.7 mi into trip|~5h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.90 one way
$93.80 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg105 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$51.50
$102.99
premium
$4.89
$57.73
$115.46
diesel
$5.61
$66.24
$132.47
Estimated Tolls: $1.70
Tri-state Tollway
(28.3 mi)$1.70
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
$47
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
21 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
ChargePoint Charging Station
Mattoon, Illinois
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Champaign, Illinois
Other
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Champaign, Illinois
EV Connect
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Champaign, Illinois
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Champaign, Illinois
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Champaign, Illinois
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Electrify America Charging Station
Champaign, Illinois
Electrify America
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Mattoon, Illinois
Blink
1 DCFC
Other: 6
ChargePoint: 4
Blink: 4
EV Connect: 2
Tesla: 2
Tesla Destination: 2
Electrify America: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90
1
$31.50
$14.40
Efficient EV
75
0
$26.25
$12.00
EV Truck/SUV
120
1
$42.00
$19.20
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Des Plaines, IL
Late night
in Des Plaines on Sunday
Local time
2:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 10 to 15 mph44% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Breese, IL
Late night
in Breese on Sunday
Local time
2:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
13 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
5h 39m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 79% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including an uninterrupted segment of 229.4 miles on I 57. The majority of your time will be spent on the Tri-State Tollway and I 57, offering a predictable driving experience. While primarily interstate, you will use local roads like West Missouri Avenue for parts of the journey, offering a slight change of pace.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 229.4 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Des Plaines River Road.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 300 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Des Plaines River Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Des Plaines, IL to Breese, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Sandoval 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 5h 39m. Total distance: 300 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 229.4 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.70 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Breese, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Des Plaines River Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Breese, IL before the return drive.
