If you are planning a trip from Des Plaines to Momence, expect a straightforward 75.7-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 44 minutes. Because this drive is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight lodging. Budget roughly $12 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Midwest locations. You will navigate a mix of major thoroughfares, including the Tri-State Tollway, the Calumet Expressway, and the Dixie Highway. This route serves as a practical connection through Illinois, offering a balance between busy transit corridors and quieter local roads.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.8 miles from Des Plaines, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Tri-State Tollway
40.3 mi
50m
Calumet Expressway
14.1 mi
19m
Dixie Highway
12 mi
18m
County Road East 1241 North
3.9 mi
5m
South Des Plaines River Road
1.8 mi
3m
Mile-Long Bridge
0.9 mi
1m
East Taylor Street
0.9 mi
1m
South Main Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Tri-State Tollway
— 40.3 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines, IL and Momence, 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
15 mi·18 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
5.5 mi·7 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 94 West, IL 394 South: Chicago, DanvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward IL 394 South: DanvilleUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto IL 394
14 mi·19 min·Calumet Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on IL 1
6.2 mi·9 min·Dixie Highway
14
Continue on IL 1
3.9 mi·5 min·County Road East 1241 North
15
Turn right onto IL 1; IL 17
0.9 mi·1 min·East Taylor Street
16
Turn left onto IL 1; IL 17
0.3 mi·38 sec·South Main Street
17
Turn right onto IL 1; IL 17
5.8 mi·8 min·Dixie Highway
18
Arrive at destination
IL 1; IL 17
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best, though avoiding peak traffic on the Tri-State Tollway is always a smart move. Because the entire 75.7-mile route is designed as a direct run with zero planned stops, you should ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave Des Plaines to stay within your $12 fuel estimate. Keep in mind that the technical, turn-heavy nature of the later sections can be more demanding than standard interstate cruising. Plan to stay alert during the transition to the Dixie Highway, as the road environment will shift from high-speed lanes to smaller local roads. Taking this drive in one go is manageable, allowing you to reach Momence feeling refreshed and ready for your destination.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 37.8 miles from Des Plaines, IL, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.3 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 17 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.8 miles or 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Momence, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Des Plaines, IL
This is one driving day of about 75.7 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Des Plaines, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Tri-State Tollway for about 40.3 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 43.9 — 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
38.1 mi into trip|~49m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
43.6 mi into trip|~56m in
Take the exit toward I 94 West, IL 394 South: Chicago, Danville
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.
Toward I 94 West, IL 394 South: Chicago, Danvil...
7
43.9 mi into trip|~57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward IL 394 South: Danville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward IL 394 South: Danville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.83 one way
$23.67 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$12.99
$25.99
premium
$4.89
$14.57
$29.14
diesel
$5.61
$16.71
$33.43
Estimated Tolls: $2.43
Tri-state Tollway
(40.3 mi)$2.43
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
$12
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.7
0
$7.95
$3.63
Efficient EV
18.9
0
$6.62
$3.03
EV Truck/SUV
30.3
0
$10.60
$4.84
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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 14, 2026
Origin
Des Plaines, IL
Evening
in Des Plaines on Sunday
Local time
6:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 15 mph34% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Momence, IL
Evening
in Momence on Sunday
Local time
6:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°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
32 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
1h 44m 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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 36.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a turn-heavy profile that keeps you engaged behind the wheel as you shift from high-speed transit to local navigation. You will spend about 19% of your time on highways, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 40.3 miles along the Tri-State Tollway. While the early portion of the drive relies on established expressways, the character of the road changes significantly once you transition onto the Dixie Highway. Prepare for a transition from the fast-paced flow of the tollway to a more technical, local driving experience as you approach Momence. It is a drive that requires your full attention as the road dynamics evolve throughout the journey.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 40.3 mi on Tri-State Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 75.7 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 38.1 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
715 ft627 ft
Total Climb
86 ft
Total Descent
91 ft
Highest Point
715 ft
~12.6 mi in
Elevation Range
88 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Des Plaines, IL to Momence, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Danville along the way.
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 1h 44m. Total distance: 75.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 40.3 miles on Tri-State Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.43 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.
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 Momence, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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 38.1 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Momence, IL before heading back.
