Des Plaines to Dunlap is 162.4 miles and takes about 3 hours 18 minutes via I 80 and IL 29, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, primarily within Illinois, making it a straightforward trip. The route is predominantly highway, so expect a focused journey with minimal detours. With a drive time under four hours, it’s an ideal option for a single-day excursion, allowing ample time for your destination or a relaxed return. Consider this route for its efficiency and ease of navigation.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
81.2 miles from Des Plaines, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
64.2 mi
1h 8m
IL 29
30.3 mi
35m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
25.9 mi
32m
Tri-State Tollway
17.5 mi
22m
I 180
8.7 mi
9m
East Cedar Hills Drive
7.7 mi
15m
South Des Plaines River Road
1.8 mi
3m
South 4th Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 64.2 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines, IL and Dunlap, 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 23Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 55
26 mi·32 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 250BToward I 80 West: IowaUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 80
64 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 180 South: Hennepin
13
Continue on I 180
8.7 mi·9 min·I 180
14
Keep slight right at fork
2.1 mi·2 min
Toward Peoria
15
Continue on IL 29
30 mi·35 min·IL 29
16
Turn right onto East Cedar Hills Drive
7.7 mi·15 min·East Cedar Hills Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto West Legion Hall Road
0.2 mi·37 sec·West Legion Hall Road
18
Turn right onto IL 91
0.3 mi·42 sec·South 4th Street
19
Turn left onto West Birch Street
112 ft·4 sec·West Birch Street
20
Arrive at destination
West Birch Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 18-minute duration, departing in the morning from Des Plaines will allow you to reach Dunlap with plenty of daylight remaining. The route includes only one suggested stop, but with 162.4 miles and a $24 fuel cost, you'll want to keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 64.2-mile stretch on I 80. Plan your fuel stops accordingly. This is a manageable drive for one day, so you have flexibility in your departure time. Watch for the transition from I 80 to IL 29, as this is where the road character may change.
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 81.2 miles from Des Plaines, IL, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.2 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 36 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.2 miles or 1h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dunlap, 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 162.4 miles and 3h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 80 for about 64.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Final third
4.3 mi from route
~11 min detour
$10 to $20
DePue, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–2 pm
+18154472198
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 46.8 — 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.
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
7
46.8 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Iowa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 250B
Toward I 80 West: Iowa
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.39 one way
$50.78 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$27.88
$55.75
premium
$4.89
$31.25
$62.50
diesel
$5.61
$35.86
$71.71
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
$25
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.7
0
$17.05
$7.80
Efficient EV
40.6
0
$14.21
$6.50
EV Truck/SUV
65
0
$22.74
$10.39
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Des Plaines, IL
Morning
in Des Plaines on Tuesday
Local time
7:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny
SSE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 20 at 5:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 20 at 5:00AM CDT until April 21 at 12:20AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Dunlap, IL
Morning
in Dunlap on Tuesday
Local time
7:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Sunny
SSE 3 to 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 20 at 5:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 20 at 5:00AM CDT until April 21 at 12:20AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
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
7 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
3h 18m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 22.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is largely highway-focused, with 80% of the journey on major roads like I 80 and the Adlai Stevenson Expressway. You'll experience a significant stretch of uninterrupted driving on I 80, covering 64.2 miles without needing to exit. As you transition to IL 29, the character of the road might shift, offering a different pace. The profile suggests a predominantly high-speed, direct transit experience, minimizing complex navigation and maximizing forward momentum.
80% 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: 64.2 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and IL 29. 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 16 significant decision points across 162.4 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 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.
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 Dunlap, IL, road signs point toward St. Louis and Peoria.
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 3h 18m. Total distance: 162.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.2 miles on I 80. 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 Dunlap, 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 19.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Dunlap, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
