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Trip from Des Plaines, IL to Campton, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 45m

Distance

345 mi

555 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$54

one way

EV Charging

Fair

4 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
6h 33m ★
6 AM
6h 45m
8 AM
7h 9m
10 AM
6h 53m
12 PM
6h 51m
3 PM
6h 55m
5 PM
7h 8m
8 PM
6h 38m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Des Plaines, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Campton, IL, IL

Campton, IL

Lorenc Memaga

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Des Plaines to Campton, Illinois, prepare for a 345-mile journey that takes approximately 6 hours and 45 minutes to complete. This route keeps you within the Midwest, traversing local roads and the Tri-State Tollway. Given the duration and the nature of the drive, it is best suited as a single-day trip, though you should factor in roughly $52 for fuel costs. Because this path is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, you will want to stay alert behind the wheel. It is a straightforward transit within the state, providing a functional connection between these two Illinois locations.

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

172.5 miles from Des Plaines, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 17m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 142.7 mi 2h 34m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway 119.4 mi 2h 13m
IL 3 23.3 mi 28m
Tri-State Tollway 17.5 mi 22m
North Illinois Street 9.8 mi 15m
South Illinois Street 8.3 mi 12m
Main Street 8 mi 11m
State Route 159 6.1 mi 9m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 142.7 mi, about 2h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 23 Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the slight right lane.
9

Merge onto I 55

119 mi · 2 hr 13 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

65 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

78 mi · 1 hr 23 min · I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 47 sec
Exit 15A Toward IL 159 South: Collinsville
13

Continue on IL 159

3.0 mi · 4 min · Vandalia Street
14

Continue on IL 159

1.3 mi · 1 min · South Morrison Avenue
15

Continue on IL 159

9.8 mi · 15 min · North Illinois Street
16

Enter roundabout onto IL 159

181 ft · 4 sec · South Illinois Street
17

Continue on IL 159

8.3 mi · 12 min · South Illinois Street
18

Continue on IL 159

6.1 mi · 9 min · State Route 159
19

Continue on IL 156; IL 159

0.2 mi · 19 sec · North Main Street
20

Continue on IL 159

0.2 mi · 13 sec · N Main St
21

Continue on IL 159

8.0 mi · 11 min · Main Street
22

Continue on IL 3

23 mi · 28 min · IL 3
23

Turn left onto IL 150

1.4 mi · 2 min · State Street
24

Turn right onto Welge Drive

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Welge Drive
25

Arrive at destination

Welge Drive

Trip Plan

Since this is a full-day commitment, aim to depart early to account for the 6 hour and 45 minute travel time. You have one planned stop integrated into the itinerary, which serves as a good opportunity to stretch your legs and refresh after the initial leg of your drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $52 budget assumes steady travel; frequent turns may impact your actual consumption. Because the route relies heavily on local roads, using a reliable GPS is essential to manage the turns effectively. Embrace the flexibility of a one-day trip, but ensure you have your route mapped out before leaving Des Plaines to avoid getting turned around on local connectors.

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 172.5 miles from Des Plaines, IL, or about 3h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142.7 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 76 miles or 1h 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 172.5 miles or 3h 17m 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 19m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Campton, 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 345 miles and 6h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 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 55 for about 142.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Carlinville, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Carlinville, IL

173 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

Joliet, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 76 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Decatur, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 172.5 miles from Des Plaines, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 142.7 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Chuck's Southern Comforts Cafe & Banquets

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Darien, Illinois

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 24.6

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13314314000

Visit website

3 Rivers Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Channahon, Illinois

0.9 mi

Star 66 Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Springfield, Illinois

1.1 mi

Chuck's Southern Comforts Cafe & Banquets

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 24.6

Darien, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13314314000

Visit website

3 Rivers Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 49.3

Channahon, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18158285110

Visit website

Star 66 Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 197.1

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12175230611

Visit website

Falco's Pizza

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 24.6

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16306544644

Visit website

DW Diner Express & Liquor Store

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 49.3

Channahon, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+18153354448

Visit website

Cafe Smilga

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 24.6

Darien, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+16304270929

Visit website

Old Vilnius Cafe Deli

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 24.6

Darien, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+16303246811

Visit website

Taco Bell

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 246.4

Litchfield, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

+12173245855

Visit website

The Happy Crab Mobile Coffee Bar

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 49.3

Minooka, Illinois

+18155928941

Visit website

Kafe De Kasa

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 49.3

Shorewood, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17792421902

Visit website

Brick & Ivy Coffee Co.

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 49.3

Channahon, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+12176638389

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 172.5

Lincoln, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12177354444

Visit website

Universal Charging Station

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 172.5

Lincoln, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18663502738

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 123.2

Lexington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18003658202

Visit website

InCharge Energy Charging Station

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 172.5

Lincoln, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18333994638

Visit website

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 24.6

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

Dock Rotz Tavern

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 49.3

Minooka, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18154672200

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 18.6 and 205.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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.
6
19.8 mi into trip | ~26m in

Take the exit toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis

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

Exit 23 Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
7
20.5 mi into trip | ~28m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
8
140.3 mi into trip | ~2h 42m in | I 55

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
7
205.1 mi into trip | ~3h 52m in | I 55

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$53.94 one way

$107.87 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 121 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $59.22 $118.44
premium $4.89 $66.39 $132.78
diesel $5.61 $76.17 $152.34

Estimated Tolls: $1.05

Tri-state Tollway (17.5 mi) $1.05

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

$54

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$80–$105

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 120.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 103.5 1 $36.22 $16.56
Efficient EV 86.3 0 $30.19 $13.80
EV Truck/SUV 138 1 $48.30 $22.08

Gas CO2

121 kg

EV CO2

40 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

Night in Des Plaines on Saturday

Local time

11:34 PM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms

NW 10 to 15 mph 44% chance Live forecast

Destination

Campton, IL

Night in Campton on Saturday

Local time

11:34 PM

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

6h 45m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a very different experience than a standard interstate cruise, as this route is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a highway-dominated sprint. With a highway share of 0%, you will be navigating local roads like South Des Plaines River Road and sections of I-294 South. This lack of sustained high-speed driving means you should anticipate frequent turns and consistent engagement with the road. The journey avoids long, monotonous stretches, requiring your full attention as you navigate through various local segments. It is a hands-on driving experience that demands patience as you transition across the 345-mile distance.

85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 142.7 mi on I 55.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Adlai Stevenson Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.6 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.

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 14 significant decision points across 345 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 18.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Des Plaines, IL and Campton, IL, road signs point toward St. Louis and Springfield.

St. Louis

19.8 mi in | ~26m

Springfield

140.3 mi in | ~2h 42m | via I 55

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

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 45m. Total distance: 345 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 45m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 142.7 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.05 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 Campton, 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 18.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Campton, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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