If you are looking to travel from Lena to Des Plaines, you are in for a straightforward 115.4-mile trek across the Illinois countryside. The drive typically takes about 1 hour and 52 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a manageable day trip rather than an overnight excursion. You will primarily navigate via North Schuyler Street and IL 73, keeping the journey focused on local roads. With an estimated fuel cost of $17, it is a budget-friendly way to cross the state. Since both locations are firmly within the Midwest, you can expect a familiar, consistent regional feel throughout your travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.2 miles from Lena, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
55.4 mi
59m
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
39.8 mi
47m
West State Road
9.8 mi
11m
East Oakton Street
1.4 mi
2m
IL 73
1 mi
1m
West Oakton Street
1 mi
1m
I 39
0.6 mi
<1m
North Schuyler Street
0.6 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
— 55.4 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lena, IL and Des Plaines, IL.
1
Start on West Lena Street
93 ft·3 sec·West Lena Street
2
Turn right onto IL 73
0.6 mi·55 sec·North Schuyler Street
3
Continue on IL 73
1.0 mi·1 min·IL 73
4
Turn left onto US 20
25 mi·30 min·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
5
Continue on US 20
9.8 mi·11 min·West State Road
6
Continue on US 20
14 mi·16 min·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Toward US 20 East: Chicago
7
Continue on I 39; US 51
0.6 mi·41 sec·I 39; US 51
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: Chicago
9
Merge onto I 90
20 mi·21 min·Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
36 mi·38 min·Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 73Toward Elmhurst RoadUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
288 ft·9 sec
Toward Elmhurst Road NorthUse the slight left lane.
13
Turn straight onto South Elmhurst Road
0.4 mi·42 sec·South Elmhurst Road
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Turn right onto West Oakton Street
0.1 mi·12 sec·West Oakton Street
Use the right lane.
15
Continue on West Oakton Street
0.9 mi·1 min·West Oakton Street
16
Continue on East Oakton Street
1.4 mi·2 min·East Oakton Street
17
Turn left onto US 12; US 45
0.5 mi·59 sec·Lee Street
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto East Algonquin Road
0.5 mi·1 min·East Algonquin Road
19
Turn left onto White Street
0.1 mi·30 sec·White Street
20
Turn right onto Henry Avenue
262 ft·11 sec·Henry Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Henry Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. While the 1 hour and 52-minute duration is short enough to drive in one go, remember that the lack of highway stretches means your average speed will be lower than a typical interstate trip. Plan to budget around $17 for fuel before you head out, and ensure your vehicle is ready for frequent turns. Given that there are no planned stops, it is a good idea to handle your refueling and rest needs before departing Lena. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert on North Schuyler Street, as the turn-heavy nature of the roads requires you to stay focused on navigation throughout the entire 115.4-mile journey.
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 56.2 miles from Lena, IL, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.4 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 25 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.2 miles or 1h 7m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Des Plaines, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lena, 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 Lena, IL
This is one driving day of about 112.3 miles and 2h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Lena, 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 55.4 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 52.5 and 108.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
52.5 mi into trip|~1h 3m 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.
6
72.2 mi into trip|~1h 24m in|I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
107.9 mi into trip|~2h 2m in
Take the exit toward Elmhurst Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 73
Toward Elmhurst Road
7
108.3 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Elmhurst Road North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Elmhurst Road North
6
108.7 mi into trip|~2h 4m in|West Oakton Street
Turn right onto West Oakton Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.56 one way
$35.11 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$19.28
$38.55
premium
$4.89
$21.61
$43.22
diesel
$5.61
$24.79
$49.59
Estimated Tolls: $3.88
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(55.4 mi)$3.88
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
$18
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.7
0
$11.79
$5.39
Efficient EV
28.1
0
$9.83
$4.49
EV Truck/SUV
44.9
0
$15.72
$7.19
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (67% 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
Lena, IL
Late night
in Lena on Tuesday
Local time
5:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 15 mph53% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 14 at 12:19PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 14 at 11:55AM CDT until April 20 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Des Plaines, IL
Late night
in Des Plaines on Tuesday
Local time
5:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 15 mph34% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 14 at 12:19PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 14 at 11:55AM CDT until April 20 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
63°F
Cherry Valley, IL
56 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
5 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
2h 12m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy, local experience rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. Because you will be navigating local roads, there is no single long-distance stretch to settle into; in fact, the longest uninterrupted segment on North Schuyler Street is 0 miles. This journey requires your full attention as you transition between local routes, creating a more tactile driving experience. You will not find the monotony of a long-haul freeway here, so prepare for a more hands-on approach behind the wheel. The road's personality is defined by its winding local nature, keeping the pace steady and deliberate.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.4 mi on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 52.5 miles in near I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 112.3 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 52.5 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.2 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 2h 12m. Total distance: 112.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.4 miles on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.88 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 Des Plaines, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 52.5 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.2 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Des Plaines, IL before heading back.
