Des Plaines, IL to Stillman Valley, IL is 80.1 miles and takes about 1h 36m via Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, I 39, and IL 72, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, covering a relatively short distance between two points in Illinois. Expect a drive that mixes tollway speeds with more local road navigation as you approach your destination. With only a single day recommended and a modest fuel cost, this route is well-suited for a quick getaway or a practical errand.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.1 miles from Des Plaines, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
55.3 mi
59m
I 39
11.4 mi
12m
IL 72
8 mi
11m
East Oakton Street
1.4 mi
2m
West Oakton Street
1 mi
1m
East Algonquin Road
0.5 mi
1m
Lee Street
0.5 mi
<1m
South Elmhurst Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
— 55.3 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines, IL and Stillman Valley, IL.
1
Start on Henry Avenue
262 ft·16 sec·Henry Avenue
2
Turn left onto White Street
0.1 mi·32 sec·White Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto East Algonquin Road
0.5 mi·1 min·East Algonquin Road
4
Turn left onto US 12; US 45
0.5 mi·51 sec·Lee Street
5
Turn right onto East Oakton Street
1.4 mi·2 min·East Oakton Street
6
Continue on West Oakton Street
1.0 mi·1 min·West Oakton Street
7
Turn left onto South Elmhurst Road
0.2 mi·26 sec·South Elmhurst Road
Use the left / uturn lanes.
8
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West Toll: RockfordUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto I 90
55 mi·59 min·Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I-39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington
11
Merge onto I 39; US 51
0.5 mi·30 sec·I 39; US 51
12
Continue on I 39; US 20; US 51
2.1 mi·2 min·I 39; US 20; US 51
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; US 51
8.8 mi·9 min·I 39; US 51
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 111Toward IL 72: Genoa, Byron
15
Turn right onto IL 72
8.0 mi·11 min·IL 72
16
Arrive at destination
IL 72
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 1 hour and 36 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility with departure times. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid peak rush hour traffic around Des Plaines. The longest stretch on the tollway means you can cover a significant portion of the miles efficiently. For fuel, the estimated cost is $13, so ensure you have enough to cover this, and keep an eye on your gauge, especially before heading onto the tollway. With no recommended stops, you can decide on the fly if you need a break.
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 40.1 miles from Des Plaines, IL, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.3 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 18 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.1 miles or 48m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stillman Valley, 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 80.1 miles and 1h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Des Plaines, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway for about 55.3 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 71.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|East Algonquin Road
At end of road, turn right onto East Algonquin Road
Navigation decision point
5
3.8 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the ramp toward I 90 West Toll: Rockford
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 90 West Toll: Rockford
5
4.4 mi into trip|~9m in|I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge onto I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
59.6 mi into trip|~1h 8m in
Take the exit toward I-39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington
6
71.7 mi into trip|~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward IL 72: Genoa, Byron
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 111
Toward IL 72: Genoa, Byron
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.52 one way
$25.05 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$13.75
$27.50
premium
$4.89
$15.41
$30.83
diesel
$5.61
$17.69
$35.37
Estimated Tolls: $3.87
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(55.3 mi)$3.87
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
$13
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24
0
$8.41
$3.84
Efficient EV
20
0
$7.01
$3.20
EV Truck/SUV
32
0
$11.21
$5.13
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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
Late night
in Des Plaines on Tuesday
Local time
5:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Stillman Valley, IL
Late night
in Stillman Valley on Tuesday
Local time
5:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
2 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
1h 36m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a "turn-heavy local drive" feel, meaning you won't be on the interstate for the entire journey. While 24% of the drive is on highways, the longest uninterrupted stretch is 55.3 miles on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. This suggests you'll experience periods of faster travel followed by more varied road conditions and potentially more frequent turns as you transition to local roads. Be prepared for the character of the drive to shift throughout the 1 hour and 36-minute trip.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.3 mi on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near East Algonquin Road.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.1 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.2 miles (East Algonquin Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Stillman Valley, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Byron 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 36m. Total distance: 80.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.3 miles on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.87 in tolls one way, starting with Jane Addams Memorial 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 Stillman Valley, 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 0.2 miles (East Algonquin Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 Stillman Valley, IL before heading back.
