Traveling from Mattoon to Des Plaines covers 200.1 miles across the Illinois heartland, a journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 50 minutes. Because this route is entirely within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you head north. It is perfectly manageable as a one-day trip, making an overnight stay unnecessary unless you prefer a slower pace. Expect to spend approximately $30 on fuel for the trek. By utilizing I-57 and the Tri-State Tollway, you can complete the transit efficiently. This is a practical, straightforward drive designed for those looking to reach their destination with minimal fuss.
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
100 miles from Mattoon, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
159.2 mi
2h 52m
Tri-State Tollway
32.5 mi
40m
Charleston Avenue
2.8 mi
5m
South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi
3m
North 15th Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Henry Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
East Touhy Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 159.2 mi, about 2h 52m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~865 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~101 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 5 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 Mattoon, IL and Des Plaines, IL.
1
Start on this road
115 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto North 15th Street
0.1 mi·35 sec·North 15th Street
3
Turn left onto IL 16
2.8 mi·5 min·Charleston Avenue
4
Turn right
0.3 mi·48 sec
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
5
Merge onto I 57
159 mi·2 hr 52 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
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.
7
Keep slight right at fork
1.8 mi·3 min
Exit 349Toward I 294 Toll North: WisconsinUse the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Merge onto I 294
21 mi·25 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
12 mi·15 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy AvenueUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy Avenue
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Touhy Avenue WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 42BToward Touhy Avenue WestUse the right lane.
14
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
325 ft·7 sec·East Touhy Avenue
15
Turn slight right
339 ft·9 sec
16
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi·3 min·South Des Plaines River Road
17
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
0.1 mi·24 sec·Henry Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
Henry Avenue
Trip Plan
To ensure a smooth trip, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the nearly four-hour duration. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy for avoiding potential congestion as you transition from rural stretches into the busier northern reaches of the state. Since the vast majority of your travel occurs on high-speed interstates, keep a close watch on your fuel levels before merging onto the long 159.2-mile section of I-57. Having your toll payment method ready is essential for a seamless experience on the Tri-State Tollway. Use the flexibility of this one-day itinerary to time your arrival in Des Plaines according to your own comfort level.
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 100 miles from Mattoon, IL, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 159.2 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 44 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100 miles or 1h 52m 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 2m
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 Mattoon, 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 Mattoon, IL
This is one driving day of about 200.1 miles and 3h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Mattoon, 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 159.2 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 162.4 and 197.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
162.4 mi into trip|~2h 59m 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
162.7 mi into trip|~3h 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
197 mi into trip|~3h 44m 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
197.6 mi into trip|~3h 45m 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
197.8 mi into trip|~3h 45m 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
$29.55 one way
$59.10 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$32.62
$65.25
premium
$4.72
$37.15
$74.30
diesel
$4.80
$37.78
$75.57
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
$30
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60
0
$21.01
$9.60
Efficient EV
50
0
$17.51
$8.00
EV Truck/SUV
80
1
$28.01
$12.81
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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Mattoon, IL
Late night
in Mattoon on Monday
Local time
5:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
N 7 mph60% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:16PM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:38PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Des Plaines, IL
Late night
in Des Plaines on Monday
Local time
5:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Smoke
NE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:16PM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:38PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM 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
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 50m 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 165.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 80% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on major thoroughfares. The journey is dominated by a substantial 159.2-mile stretch along I-57, which provides a consistent, high-speed pace for the majority of the trip. You will begin on local roads like Charleston Avenue before transitioning into the heavy-duty interstate infrastructure that defines this corridor. As you approach the Des Plaines area, the character of the road shifts toward the busier Tri-State Tollway. The route is functional and direct, prioritizing speed and navigation over winding, technical scenery.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 159.2 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 162.4 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
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 200.1 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 162.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 197 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
751 ft608 ft
Total Climb
215 ft
Total Descent
317 ft
Highest Point
751 ft
~71.4 mi in
Elevation Range
143 ft
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 Mattoon, 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 50m. Total distance: 200.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 159.2 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 162.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 197 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 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Des Plaines, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
