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Trip from Des Plaines, IL to Byron, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 8, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 38m

Distance

80.3 mi

129 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 31m ★
6 AM
1h 39m
8 AM
1h 54m
10 AM
1h 44m
12 PM
1h 42m
3 PM
1h 45m
5 PM
1h 53m
8 PM
1h 34m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time
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city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Des Plaines, IL

Wikimedia Commons

city in Ogle County, Illinois, United States

Byron, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Des Plaines, IL to Byron, IL covers 80.3 miles and takes about 1h 38m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, South Main Road, U.S. Grant Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 55.3 miles on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.45 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

40.2 miles from Des Plaines, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway 55.3 mi 59m
South Main Road 9.1 mi 13m
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway 5.4 mi 6m
I 39 2.6 mi 2m
East Blackhawk Drive 1.5 mi 2m
East Oakton Street 1.4 mi 2m
West Oakton Street 1 mi 1m
South Main Street 0.9 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Jane Addams Memorial Tollway — 55.3 mi, about 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines, IL and Byron, IL.

1

Start on Henry Avenue

262 ft · 16 sec · Henry Avenue
2

Turn left onto White Street

0.1 mi · 32 sec · White Street
3

At end of road, turn right onto East Algonquin Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Algonquin Road
4

Turn left onto US 12; US 45

0.5 mi · 51 sec · Lee Street
5

Turn right onto East Oakton Street

1.4 mi · 2 min · East Oakton Street
6

Continue on West Oakton Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · West Oakton Street
7

Turn left onto South Elmhurst Road

0.2 mi · 26 sec · South Elmhurst Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
8

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90 West Toll: Rockford Use the right lane.
9

Merge onto I 90

55 mi · 59 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I-39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington
11

Merge onto I 39; US 51

0.5 mi · 30 sec · I 39; US 51
12

Continue on I 39; US 20; US 51

2.1 mi · 2 min · I 39; US 20; US 51
13

Keep slight left at fork onto US 20

5.4 mi · 6 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward IL 2: Rockford, Dixon
15

Keep slight left at fork

172 ft · 6 sec
16

Turn left onto IL 2

0.9 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
17

Turn right onto IL 2

9.1 mi · 13 min · South Main Road
18

Continue on IL 2

1.5 mi · 2 min · East Blackhawk Drive
19

Turn right onto North Union Street

0.1 mi · 31 sec · North Union Street
20

Turn right

131 ft · 11 sec
21

Turn right

87 ft · 6 sec
22

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 40.2 miles from Des Plaines, IL, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.3 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 18 miles or 24m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 40.2 miles or 48m 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 19m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Byron, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Des Plaines, IL

This is one driving day of about 80.3 miles and 1h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Des Plaines, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway for about 55.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Belvidere, IL

40 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Schaumburg, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Huntley, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 40.2 miles from Des Plaines, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best coffee break · first break window

Kids Art & Play Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Schaumburg, Illinois

Near the start, short detour

First break · 14min in 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv

Hours: Closed

+16305231101

Visit website

Kids Art & Play Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv

Schaumburg, Illinois

Hours: Closed

+16305231101

Visit website

Garden Prairie Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Garden Prairie, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+18155971190

Visit website

Cafe Mirage

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Schiller Park, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+18476782614

Visit website

Midway Village Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

Final third 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Rockford, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18153979112

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 68.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Algonquin Road

At end of road, turn right onto East Algonquin Road

Navigation decision point

5
3.8 mi into trip | ~8m in

Take the ramp toward I 90 West Toll: Rockford

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 90 West Toll: Rockford
5
4.4 mi into trip | ~9m in | I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

Merge onto I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
59.6 mi into trip | ~1h 8m in

Take the exit toward I-39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I-39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington
5
68.3 mi into trip | ~1h 19m in

Take the exit toward IL 2: Rockford, Dixon

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward IL 2: Rockford, Dixon

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.45 one way

$24.90 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 28 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.32 $13.65 $27.30
premium $4.93 $15.58 $31.16
diesel $5.60 $17.70 $35.40

Estimated Tolls: $3.87

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (55.3 mi) $3.87

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

$12

Tolls

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 28.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 24.1 0 $8.43 $3.85
Efficient EV 20.1 0 $7.03 $3.21
EV Truck/SUV 32.1 0 $11.24 $5.14

Gas CO2

28 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (68% 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 Sep 8, 2026

Origin

Des Plaines, IL

Afternoon in Des Plaines on Tuesday

Local time

3:34 PM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Byron, IL

Afternoon in Byron on Tuesday

Local time

3:34 PM

CDT

Current temp

80°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

1 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 38m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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

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...

27 mi from route ~68 min detour Free
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

80.3 mi in 1h 38m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.

Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.3 mi on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near East Algonquin Road.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.3 miles you will encounter 15 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 0.2 miles (East Algonquin Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

963 ft 632 ft

Total Climb

512 ft

Total Descent

416 ft

Highest Point

963 ft

~34.4 mi in

Elevation Range

331 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 Des Plaines, IL to Byron, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Dixon along the way.

Dixon

68.3 mi in | ~1h 19m

About the Cities

Starting in Des Plaines, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1852

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

Arriving in Byron, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1835

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 80.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 55.3 miles on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $3.87 in tolls one way, starting with Jane Addams Memorial 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 Byron, 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 0.2 miles (East Algonquin Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 Byron, IL before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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