Hoffman Estates to La Salle is 98 miles and takes about 1 hour 57 minutes via I-80 and I-355, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Midwest, specifically Illinois, making it a straightforward trip. Given its relatively short distance and predominantly highway profile, this drive is well-suited for a single-day excursion. You'll find it’s a practical option for connecting these two Illinois locations without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49 miles from Hoffman Estates, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
47.2 mi
50m
I 355
20.1 mi
25m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
18.1 mi
21m
I 290
4.2 mi
5m
West Higgins Road
2.5 mi
4m
I 39
2.1 mi
2m
US 6
1 mi
1m
Frontage Road
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 47.2 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hoffman Estates, IL and La Salle, IL.
1
Start on Bode Road
32 ft·8 sec·Bode Road
2
Turn left onto North Roselle Road
0.1 mi·11 sec·North Roselle Road
3
Turn right onto IL 72
2.5 mi·4 min·West Higgins Road
4
Turn right onto Frontage Road
0.1 mi·19 sec·Frontage Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago
6
Merge onto I 290; IL 53
4.2 mi·5 min·I 290; IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 355
20 mi·25 min·I 355
Exit 7Toward I 355 South Tollway: JolietUse the slight left lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 12AToward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Joliet Road SouthUse the slight left lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 55
18 mi·21 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 250BToward I 80 West: IowaUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 80
47 mi·50 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 79AToward I 39 South, US 51 South: Normal, Bloomington
15
Merge onto I 39; US 51
2.1 mi·2 min·I 39; US 51
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward US 6: LaSalle, Peru, Ottowa
17
Turn right onto US 6
1.0 mi·1 min·US 6
18
Turn right onto Tonti Street
171 ft·7 sec·Tonti Street
19
Arrive at destination
Tonti Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, one-day drive, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to complete the 98-mile trip. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before hitting the 47.2-mile stretch on I-80, as services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost is around $15, so plan accordingly. Given the duration, you likely won't need extensive stops, but a quick break for gas or a snack is always a good idea.
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 49 miles from Hoffman Estates, IL, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.2 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 22 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49 miles or 1h 3m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near La Salle, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hoffman Estates, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hoffman Estates, IL
This is one driving day of about 98 miles and 1h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Hoffman Estates, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 47.2 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.1 and 46.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
7.1 mi into trip|~11m in|I 355
Keep slight left at fork onto I 355 toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 7
Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
8
27.2 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the exit toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
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 12A
Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
7
27.5 mi into trip|~36m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Joliet Road South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Joliet Road South
7
27.9 mi into trip|~37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
7
46.1 mi into trip|~59m 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
$15.32 one way
$30.64 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$16.82
$33.64
premium
$4.89
$18.86
$37.72
diesel
$5.61
$21.64
$43.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.4
0
$10.29
$4.70
Efficient EV
24.5
0
$8.58
$3.92
EV Truck/SUV
39.2
0
$13.72
$6.27
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 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 18, 2026
Origin
Hoffman Estates, IL
Morning
in Hoffman Estates on Sunday
Local time
9:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Partly Sunny
WNW 20 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 2:20PM CDT until April 25 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued April 18 at 1:48PM CDT until April 20 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
La Salle, IL
Morning
in La Salle on Sunday
Local time
9:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Mostly Sunny
WNW 20 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 2:20PM CDT until April 25 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued April 18 at 1:48PM CDT until April 20 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 57m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely on highways, with a 94% highway share. You'll experience a long stretch of 47.2 miles on I-80, which means you'll be on high-speed roads for a significant portion of the trip. Expect minimal time on surface roads as you approach La Salle, likely marked by a decrease in speed limits and an increase in local traffic.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 47.2 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 355. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.1 miles in near I 355.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 98 miles you will encounter 15 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 7.1 miles (I 355): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Hoffman Estates, IL and La Salle, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Joliet Road South.
Saint Louis
27.2 mi in|~36m
Joliet Road South
27.5 mi in|~36m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 57m. Total distance: 98 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 47.2 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 La Salle, 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 7.1 miles (I 355): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.5 miles: 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 La Salle, IL before heading back.
