The drive from Des Plaines, IL to Urbana, IL covers 150.3 miles and takes about 3h 1m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 57, Tri-State Tollway, Cicero Avenue for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mostly highway.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 105.4 miles on I 57.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.30 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
75.2 miles from Des Plaines, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
105.4 mi
1h 54m
Tri-State Tollway
28.3 mi
35m
Cicero Avenue
4.9 mi
7m
Market Street
3.9 mi
6m
South Des Plaines River Road
1.8 mi
3m
Mile-Long Bridge
0.9 mi
1m
East Bradley Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
North Goodwin Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 105.4 mi, about 1h 54m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~928 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,278
Quietest
2 AM
~107 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines, IL and Urbana, 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
105 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·26 sec
Exit 240Toward Market Street
16
Turn left
96 ft·5 sec
17
Turn left onto Market Street
3.9 mi·6 min·Market Street
18
Turn left onto East Bradley Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·East Bradley Avenue
19
Turn right onto North Goodwin Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·North Goodwin Avenue
20
Turn left onto US 45; US 150
0.2 mi·33 sec·West University Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto North Lincoln Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·North Lincoln Avenue
22
Turn left onto West Green Street
0.5 mi·1 min·West Green Street
23
Turn right onto South Race Street
285 ft·13 sec·South Race Street
Use the right lane.
24
Turn left
230 ft·21 sec
25
Turn left
121 ft·11 sec
26
Turn right
46 ft·3 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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 75.2 miles from Des Plaines, IL, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.4 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 33 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.2 miles or 1h 32m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Urbana, 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 150.3 miles and 3h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 105.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 75.2 miles from Des Plaines, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105.4 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 150.2 — 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
150.2 mi into trip|~3h in|South Race Street
Turn right onto South Race Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.30 one way
$46.60 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$25.55
$51.10
premium
$4.93
$29.16
$58.32
diesel
$5.60
$33.13
$66.26
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
$23
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.1
0
$15.78
$7.21
Efficient EV
37.6
0
$13.15
$6.01
EV Truck/SUV
60.1
0
$21.04
$9.62
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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 Aug 29, 2026
Origin
Des Plaines, IL
Late night
in Des Plaines on Thursday
Local time
12:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Partly Cloudy
SSW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 28 at 8:55PM CDT until August 30 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 28 at 8:36PM CDT until August 30 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
Destination
Urbana, IL
Late night
in Urbana on Thursday
Local time
12:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 28 at 8:55PM CDT until August 30 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 28 at 8:36PM CDT until August 30 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Indianapolis 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
3 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
3h 1m 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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 31.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
150.3 mi in 3h 1m, mostly highway — 105.4 mi of that is on I 57.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.4 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Tri-State Tollway. 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 22 significant decision points across 150.3 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
Champaign-Urbana is a metropolitan area in central Illinois, composed of the towns of Champaign, Urbana, and Savoy. The community is the site of the main campus of the University of Illinois, one of the great public universities of the United States.
Top landmarks
•Astronomical Observatory — observatory at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
•American Football House — house in Illinois, United States
•Morrow Plots — historic agricultural research fields at the University of Illinois, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 1m. Total distance: 150.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105.4 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 Urbana, 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Urbana, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
