Origin
Des Plaines, IL
Late night in Des Plaines on Sunday
Local time
2:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Des Plaines, IL to Hartford, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 30m
Distance
289.6 mi
466 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 18m
★
6 AM
5h 31m
8 AM
5h 58m
10 AM
5h 40m
12 PM
5h 38m
3 PM
5h 42m
5 PM
5h 56m
8 PM
5h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Des Plaines, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Hartford, IL
Thomas Parker
Trip Overview
Des Plaines, IL to Hartford, IL is 289.6 miles and takes about 5h 30m via I 55 and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you entirely within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a fairly direct, highway-focused journey that should feel pretty straightforward for most drivers. Given its duration and highway nature, it's a solid option for a single-day drive, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
144.8 miles from Des Plaines, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 47m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 134.6 mi | 2h 24m |
| Adlai Stevenson Expressway | 119.4 mi | 2h 13m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 17.5 mi | 22m |
| New Poag Road | 7.2 mi | 11m |
| IL 143 | 3.8 mi | 6m |
| Lewis and Clark Boulevard | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| South Des Plaines River Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Saint Louis Street | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 134.6 mi, about 2h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines, IL and Hartford, 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
70 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Toward IL 143: Edwardsville, Marine
13
Turn right onto IL 143
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
IL 143
14
Continue on IL 143
3.4 mi
·
6 min
·
IL 143
15
Continue on IL 157
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Saint Louis Street
16
Continue on New Poag Road
7.2 mi
·
11 min
·
New Poag Road
17
Turn right onto IL 3
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Lewis and Clark Boulevard
18
Turn right onto West Hawthorne Street
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
West Hawthorne Street
19
Turn right onto South Delmar Avenue
67 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Delmar Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
South Delmar Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5.5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Des Plaines to avoid potential traffic on the initial expressways. With a fuel cost estimated at $45, it's wise to fill up before leaving or at a major interchange along I 55. While there's only one recommended stop, you can easily break up the 134.6-mile stretch on I 55 with a quick pause for gas or a stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as services can be more spread out on longer highway segments.
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 144.8 miles from Des Plaines, IL, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 134.6 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 64 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.8 miles or 2h 47m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hartford, 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 289.6 miles and 5h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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 134.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
145 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 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 144.8 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 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 134.6 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 145 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 140.3 — 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
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.28 one way
$90.55 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
101 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $49.71 | $99.42 |
| premium | $4.89 | $55.73 | $111.46 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $63.94 | $127.88 |
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
$45
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86.9 | 1 | $30.41 | $13.90 |
| Efficient EV | 72.4 | 0 | $25.34 | $11.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 115.8 | 1 | $40.54 | $18.53 |
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% 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
Hartford, IL
Late night in Hartford on Sunday
Local time
2:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bloomington, IL
145 mi in
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
6 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
5h 30m 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.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 199.7
View on nps.gov
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...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 20
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 89% of the journey on major interstates. You'll spend a significant amount of time on I 55, including a substantial stretch of 134.6 miles without needing to exit. The drive begins on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway and Tri-State Tollway before merging onto I 55 South. Expect a consistent, high-speed environment for the majority of your travel time, making it a predictable and efficient way to cover the distance.
89% 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: 134.6 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 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 14 significant decision points across 289.6 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.
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 Hartford, IL, road signs point toward St. Louis, Springfield and Marine.
St. Louis
19.8 mi in
|
~26m
Springfield
140.3 mi in
|
~2h 42m
|
via I 55
Marine
274.9 mi in
|
~5h 7m
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 5h 30m. Total distance: 289.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 134.6 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 Hartford, 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 — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hartford, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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