This 199.2-mile drive from Long Creek to Des Plaines is efficiently covered in about 3 hours and 52 minutes, making it a very manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily use major interstates like I-57 and I-72, transitioning to the Tri-State Tollway for the final approach. With a highway share of 79%, expect a focused driving experience that’s ideal for getting from point A to point B without significant detours. The estimated fuel cost is around $31, and with only one recommended stop, it’s a straightforward journey through the Midwest. This route is well-suited for a single-day adventure, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay.
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
99.6 miles from Long Creek, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
113.8 mi
2h 4m
I 72
36.9 mi
39m
Tri-State Tollway
32.5 mi
40m
US 36
4.8 mi
7m
North 22nd Street
3.9 mi
6m
South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi
3m
IL 48
1 mi
1m
South Widener Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 113.8 mi, about 2h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Long Creek, IL and Des Plaines, IL.
1
Start on Gustin Avenue
33 ft·6 sec·Gustin Avenue
2
Turn left onto South Widener Avenue
0.1 mi·28 sec·South Widener Avenue
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 36
4.8 mi·7 min·US 36
4
Turn right onto North 22nd Street
3.9 mi·6 min·North 22nd Street
5
Continue on IL 48
1.0 mi·1 min·IL 48
6
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I-72 East: Champaign
7
Merge onto I 72
37 mi·39 min·I 72
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 182BToward I 57 North: Chicago
9
Merge onto I 57
114 mi·2 hr 4 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 349-350Toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, WisconsinUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
1.8 mi·3 min
Exit 349Toward I 294 Toll North: WisconsinUse the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Merge onto I 294
21 mi·25 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
12 mi·15 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy AvenueUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy Avenue
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Touhy Avenue WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 42BToward Touhy Avenue WestUse the right lane.
18
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
325 ft·7 sec·East Touhy Avenue
19
Turn slight right
339 ft·9 sec
20
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi·3 min·South Des Plaines River Road
21
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
0.1 mi·24 sec·Henry Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
Henry Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 52-minute duration, departing in the morning will allow you ample time to reach Des Plaines comfortably within a single day. Plan for one stop to refuel or stretch your legs, perhaps around the halfway mark of the 199.2-mile trip. The longest stretch without a break is over 113 miles on I-57, so ensure you're comfortable before embarking on that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $31, it’s a budget-friendly trip. A key tip for this route is to be mindful of potential toll charges on the Tri-State Tollway as you approach your destination.
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 99.6 miles from Long Creek, IL, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.8 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 44 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.6 miles or 1h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 4m
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 Long Creek, 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 Long Creek, IL
This is one driving day of about 199.2 miles and 3h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Long Creek, 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 113.8 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 161.5 and 196.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
161.5 mi into trip|~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin
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 349-350
Toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevar...
8
161.8 mi into trip|~3h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 349
Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
7
196.2 mi into trip|~3h 46m in
Take the exit toward Touhy Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
7
196.8 mi into trip|~3h 47m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Touhy Avenue West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Touhy Avenue West
8
196.9 mi into trip|~3h 47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Touhy Avenue West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 42B
Toward Touhy Avenue West
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.14 one way
$62.29 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$34.19
$68.39
premium
$4.89
$38.33
$76.67
diesel
$5.61
$43.98
$87.96
Estimated Tolls: $1.95
Tri-state Tollway
(32.5 mi)$1.95
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
$31
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59.8
0
$20.92
$9.56
Efficient EV
49.8
0
$17.43
$7.97
EV Truck/SUV
79.7
0
$27.89
$12.75
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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 16, 2026
Origin
Long Creek, IL
Late night
in Long Creek on Tuesday
Local time
4:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Des Plaines, IL
Late night
in Des Plaines on Tuesday
Local time
4:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 10 to 15 mph44% chanceLive 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
3h 52m 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 164.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 79% of the journey utilizing major interstate systems. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including a significant 113.8-mile segment on I-57. The route's personality is defined by its efficiency, prioritizing direct travel over scenic byways. While the roads are predominantly high-speed interstates, the transition onto the Tri-State Tollway will introduce you to a more urban-influenced driving environment as you near Des Plaines. Expect a steady pace for the majority of your travel time.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.8 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and I 72. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 161.5 miles in.
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 16 significant decision points across 199.2 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 161.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 196.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Long Creek, IL to Des Plaines, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Wisconsin 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 3h 52m. Total distance: 199.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113.8 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.95 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 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. 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 161.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 196.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Des Plaines, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
