Origin
Des Plaines, IL
Late night in Des Plaines on Tuesday
Local time
5:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Des Plaines, IL to Cambria, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 21m
Distance
336.8 mi
542 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$53
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 9m
★
6 AM
6h 22m
8 AM
6h 47m
10 AM
6h 30m
12 PM
6h 28m
3 PM
6h 32m
5 PM
6h 45m
8 PM
6h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Des Plaines, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Cambria, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Des Plaines to Cambria covers approximately 336.8 miles across the state of Illinois. You should expect a total drive time of about 6 hours and 21 minutes, making this a long but manageable single-day trip. With a fuel budget of roughly $51, it is an affordable trek for those looking to traverse the Midwest. You will start your journey on South Des Plaines River Road before transitioning onto I-294 South and the Tri-State Tollway. While the route is feasible in one day, be prepared for a solid block of time behind the wheel. It is a straightforward trip that links the northern reaches of the state to the southern region.
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
168.4 miles from Des Plaines, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 254.2 mi | 4h 34m |
| Ken Gray Expressway | 32.7 mi | 35m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 28.3 mi | 35m |
| Herrin Road | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| Cicero Avenue | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| East Herrin Street | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| South Des Plaines River Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| North Maple Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 254.2 mi, about 4h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines, IL and Cambria, 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-A
Toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 12A
Toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue
Use 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
66 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 57
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
33 mi
·
35 min
·
Ken Gray Expressway
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward Johnston City, Herrin
18
Turn right onto Herrin Road
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Herrin Road
19
Continue on East Herrin Street
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
East Herrin Street
20
Continue on Herrin Road
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Herrin Road
21
Enter roundabout onto Cambria Road
221 ft
·
4 sec
·
Cambria Road
22
Continue on Cambria Road
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
Cambria Road
23
Continue on North Maple Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
North Maple Street
24
Arrive at destination
South Maple Street
Trip Plan
To keep your 6 hour and 21 minute journey comfortable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the drive. Leaving Des Plaines early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid any potential congestion associated with local road travel. Since this route involves a higher volume of turns, check your tire pressure and fluid levels before departing to ensure your vehicle is ready for the constant adjustments. Keep your estimated $51 fuel budget in mind, but always carry a little extra for fluctuating prices along the way. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so use your single planned stop to stretch your legs and reset before tackling the remainder of the 336.8-mile distance.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 168.4 miles from Des Plaines, IL, or about 3h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 254.2 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 74 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 168.4 miles or 3h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cambria, 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 336.8 miles and 6h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 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 254.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
168 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 168.4 miles from Des Plaines, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 254.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 31.7 — 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.
5
2.3 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Merge onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.65 one way
$105.31 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
118 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $57.81 | $115.63 |
| premium | $4.89 | $64.81 | $129.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $74.36 | $148.72 |
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
$53
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 101 | 1 | $35.36 | $16.17 |
| Efficient EV | 84.2 | 0 | $29.47 | $13.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 134.7 | 1 | $47.15 | $21.56 |
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
39 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.
Destination
Cambria, IL
Late night in Cambria on Tuesday
Local time
5:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
12 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 21m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 34.8
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate sprint. Because the highway share is 0 percent, you will spend your time navigating local roads that demand more active attention than a typical freeway cruise. The route features a blend of segments that keep you moving through the Illinois landscape, though the lack of high-speed highway stretches means your pace will be consistent rather than rapid. Expect a driving experience that feels more grounded and technical as you work your way through the various turns. Staying alert is key, as the nature of these local roads prevents the monotony often found on long, straight interstate hauls.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 254.2 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. 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 Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 336.8 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 2.3 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
789 ft
426 ft
Total Climb
300 ft
Total Descent
506 ft
Highest Point
789 ft
~120.3 mi in
Elevation Range
363 ft
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 Cambria, IL
Full guide →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 6h 21m. Total distance: 336.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 21m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 254.2 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 Cambria, 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 2.3 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cambria, IL before the return drive.
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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