If you are planning a trip from Des Plaines to Greenville, expect a straightforward journey covering 274.7 miles through the heart of Illinois. With a total drive time of approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip. You will primarily utilize the Tri-State Tollway, I-57, and I-70 to navigate the state. Budgeting roughly $42 for fuel should cover your expenses, making this a cost-effective trek. Because both the origin and destination are located within the Midwest, you can anticipate consistent terrain throughout the drive. It is a practical choice for those prioritizing efficiency over sightseeing, as the route is designed for travelers who want to reach their destination without unnecessary detours.
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
137.4 miles from Des Plaines, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
188.4 mi
3h 23m
I 70
46.8 mi
50m
Tri-State Tollway
28.3 mi
35m
Cicero Avenue
4.9 mi
7m
South Des Plaines River Road
1.8 mi
3m
Illinois Route 127
1 mi
1m
Mile-Long Bridge
0.9 mi
1m
167th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 188.4 mi, about 3h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines, IL and City of Greenville, 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 right at fork onto I 70
47 mi·50 min·I 70
Toward I 70 West: Saint Louis
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 45Toward IL 127: Greenville, Carlyle
17
Turn right onto IL 127
1.0 mi·1 min·Illinois Route 127
18
Turn right onto South Idler Lane
289 ft·10 sec·South Idler Lane
19
Turn right
474 ft·20 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To keep your 5-hour and 10-minute drive comfortable, plan for at least one purposeful stop to break up the long interstate segments. Leaving Des Plaines early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid potential congestion on the Tri-State Tollway. Keep in mind that since you are spending the bulk of your time on I-57 and I-70, you should monitor your fuel levels before merging onto these major corridors to avoid mid-stretch shortages. Given that this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on traffic flow. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert during the transition between I-57 and I-70, as these high-traffic interchanges can be busy regardless of the time of day.
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 137.4 miles from Des Plaines, IL, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 188.4 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 60 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.4 miles or 2h 40m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Greenville, 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 274.7 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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 188.4 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 273.1 — 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
273.1 mi into trip|~5h 6m in
Take the exit toward IL 127: Greenville, Carlyle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 45
Toward IL 127: Greenville, Carlyle
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.95 one way
$85.89 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$47.15
$94.31
premium
$4.89
$52.86
$105.73
diesel
$5.61
$60.65
$121.30
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
$43
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.4
1
$28.84
$13.19
Efficient EV
68.7
0
$24.04
$10.99
EV Truck/SUV
109.9
1
$38.46
$17.58
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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 12, 2026
Origin
Des Plaines, IL
Morning
in Des Plaines on Sunday
Local time
7:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 25 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Destination
City of Greenville, IL
Morning
in City of Greenville on Sunday
Local time
7:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Chance Rain Showers
S 22 mph25% chanceLive 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
5h 10m 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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 28.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a focused interstate experience, as 86% of this 274.7-mile journey consists of high-speed highway driving. The most significant portion of your time behind the wheel will be spent on a 188.4-mile stretch along I-57, which serves as the backbone of your trip. While the route is highly efficient, it leans toward a monotonous interstate grind rather than a winding, technical path. You will transition between major arterial roads, maintaining a steady pace as you move through the Illinois landscape. Because the profile is strictly highway-focused, you can rely on consistent road conditions and predictable traffic patterns for the vast majority of your travel time.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 188.4 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and I 70. 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 Effort8/10
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 274.7 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.
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 10m. Total distance: 274.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 188.4 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 City of Greenville, 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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at City of Greenville, IL before the return drive.
