Traveling from Des Plaines to Casey covers 232.4 miles across the Illinois landscape, typically taking about 4 hours and 35 minutes of driving time. Because this is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the journey as a one-day trip without needing an overnight stay. Your route begins by navigating South Des Plaines River Road before transitioning onto I-294 South and the Tri-State Tollway. Budget approximately $35 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Midwest locations. While the drive is straightforward, it is best approached with a plan for at least one stop to break up the time behind the wheel. It serves as a practical, efficient trek for anyone looking to traverse the state in a single session.
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
116.2 miles from Des Plaines, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
156.5 mi
2h 49m
Tri-State Tollway
28.3 mi
35m
Route 130
10 mi
14m
I 70
9.9 mi
10m
Illinois Route 16
6 mi
8m
Cicero Avenue
4.9 mi
7m
County Road 1825 East
2 mi
2m
South Des Plaines River Road
1.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 156.5 mi, about 2h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines, IL and Casey, 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
157 mi·2 hr 49 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 190AToward IL 16 East: Charleston
16
Turn straight onto IL 16
0.7 mi·1 min·Charleston Avenue East
17
Continue on IL 16
6.0 mi·8 min·Illinois Route 16
18
Continue on IL 16
1.8 mi·2 min·West Lincoln Avenue
19
Turn right onto IL 130
1.6 mi·2 min·18th Street
20
Continue on IL 130
0.8 mi·1 min·Illinois Route 130
21
Continue on IL 130
10.0 mi·14 min·Route 130
22
Continue on IL 130
2.0 mi·2 min·County Road 1825 East
23
Continue on IL 130
0.8 mi·1 min·County Road 1775 E
24
Continue on IL 130
0.4 mi·32 sec·North Haughton Highway
25
Continue on IL 130
1.3 mi·1 min·1700E
26
Continue on IL 130
0.4 mi·37 sec·North Haughton Highway
27
Turn left
0.3 mi·39 sec
28
Merge onto I 70
9.9 mi·10 min·I 70
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward IL 49: Casey, Kansas
30
Turn right onto IL 49
1.5 mi·2 min·IL 49
31
Turn left onto East Main Street
102 ft·5 sec·East Main Street
32
Turn right
66 ft·4 sec
33
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 35-minute excursion, consider departing early in the morning to avoid peak traffic near Des Plaines. Since the route requires one planned stop, look for a convenient location midway to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep your $35 fuel budget in mind when planning your fill-ups, as local roads may offer different gas price points compared to major interstates. Because this is a turn-heavy route, rely on a reliable navigation system to keep you on track through the complex early stages of your drive. Flexibility is your greatest advantage here, so feel free to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected road conditions during your journey to Casey.
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 116.2 miles from Des Plaines, IL, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 156.5 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 51 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.2 miles or 2h 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 3h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Casey, 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 232.4 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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 156.5 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 18
5 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
$36.33 one way
$72.67 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$39.89
$79.78
premium
$4.89
$44.72
$89.45
diesel
$5.61
$51.31
$102.62
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
$36
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.7
0
$24.40
$11.16
Efficient EV
58.1
0
$20.34
$9.30
EV Truck/SUV
93
1
$32.54
$14.87
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 20, 2026
Origin
Des Plaines, IL
Late night
in Des Plaines on Tuesday
Local time
3:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Casey, IL
Late night
in Casey on Tuesday
Local time
3:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°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
9 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
4h 35m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you navigate away from the suburban environment of Des Plaines. The route lacks long, uninterrupted highway stretches, requiring you to stay alert through various transitions and local road segments. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this drive demands more engagement from the driver as you move through different roadway types. Because the highway share is 0%, you will spend the vast majority of your 232.4-mile journey on local roads rather than high-speed interstates. Prepare for a dynamic experience that shifts from the initial local navigation into the subsequent segments of your 4-hour and 35-minute trip.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 156.5 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 18 significant decision points across 232.4 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.
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
Central Illinois is a region of Illinois extending south from Chicagoland along the border with Indiana. It includes Champaign, DeWitt, Ford, Grundy, Iroquois, LaSalle, Livingston, McLean, and Shelby counties.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 35m. Total distance: 232.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 35m 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 156.5 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 Casey, 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Casey, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
