Traveling from Metropolis to Des Plaines covers 380 miles across the heart of Illinois. You should anticipate a drive time of approximately 7 hours and 7 minutes, making this a long but manageable trip to complete in a single day. Since the route is entirely within the Midwest, you will experience consistent regional landscapes as you head north. Budgeting around $58 for fuel is a smart move to keep your finances on track. While it is possible to power through this journey in one go, planning for two scheduled stops will help you stay refreshed for the duration of the trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
190 miles from Metropolis, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
185.5 mi
3h 21m
Ken Gray Expressway
119.1 mi
2h 8m
Tri-State Tollway
32.5 mi
40m
I 24
25.4 mi
27m
North Avenue
6.3 mi
9m
New Columbia Road
4.3 mi
5m
South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi
3m
Big Bay Road
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 185.5 mi, about 3h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Metropolis, IL and Des Plaines, IL.
1
Start on West 5th Street
45 ft·8 sec·West 5th Street
2
Turn left onto US 45
0.4 mi·1 min·Ferry Street
3
Turn left onto US 45
0.2 mi·29 sec·West 10th Street
4
Turn right onto Pearl Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·Pearl Street
5
Turn slight left onto North Avenue
6.3 mi·9 min·North Avenue
6
Continue on New Columbia Road
4.3 mi·5 min·New Columbia Road
7
Turn right onto Big Bay Road
0.4 mi·41 sec·Big Bay Road
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·26 sec
Toward New Columbia, Big Bay
9
Merge onto I 24
25 mi·27 min·I 24
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 44BToward I 57 North: Chicago
11
Merge onto I 57
52 mi·55 min·Ken Gray Expressway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
67 mi·1 hr 12 min·Ken Gray Expressway
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
185 mi·3 hr 21 min·I 57
Toward I 57 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
Keep slight right at fork
1.8 mi·3 min
Exit 349Toward I 294 Toll North: WisconsinUse the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Merge onto I 294
21 mi·25 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
12 mi·15 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy AvenueUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy Avenue
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Touhy Avenue WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 42BToward Touhy Avenue WestUse the right lane.
22
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
325 ft·7 sec·East Touhy Avenue
23
Turn slight right
339 ft·9 sec
24
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi·3 min·South Des Plaines River Road
25
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
0.1 mi·24 sec·Henry Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
Henry Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 380-mile trek, consider leaving early in the morning to avoid peak traffic as you approach the Des Plaines area. Splitting your drive into segments helps manage the seven-hour duration, so use your two planned stops to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep in mind that the Tri-State Tollway is a key part of your final approach, so ensure your electronic toll payment method is ready before you hit the road. Because this is a long, highway-heavy route, maintaining a steady pace is your best strategy for a stress-free arrival. Flexibility is your biggest advantage, so don't hesitate to pull over if fatigue sets in during that long 185.5-mile stretch.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 190 miles from Metropolis, IL, or about 3h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 185.5 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 84 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 190 miles or 3h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 52m
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 Metropolis, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Metropolis, IL
This is one driving day of about 380 miles and 7h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Metropolis, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 185.5 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 156.8 and 377.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
156.8 mi into trip|~2h 55m in|I 57
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
8
342.3 mi into trip|~6h 16m 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
342.6 mi into trip|~6h 17m 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
376.9 mi into trip|~7h 1m 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
8
377.7 mi into trip|~7h 2m 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
$59.41 one way
$118.82 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg133 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$65.23
$130.46
premium
$4.89
$73.13
$146.26
diesel
$5.61
$83.90
$167.80
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
$59
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 133 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
114
1
$39.90
$18.24
Efficient EV
95
1
$33.25
$15.20
EV Truck/SUV
152
1
$53.20
$24.32
Gas CO2
133 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 12, 2026
Origin
Metropolis, IL
Evening
in Metropolis on Saturday
Local time
8:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Sunny
S 3 to 15 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 12:21AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 9:46PM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Des Plaines, IL
Evening
in Des Plaines on Saturday
Local time
8:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Charleston, IL
190 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
33 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
7h 7m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 340.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is a dedicated highway-focused drive, with 87% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will rely heavily on I-57, the Ken Gray Expressway, and the Tri-State Tollway to navigate your way north. Prepare for a steady interstate experience, including a significant 185.5-mile stretch on I-57 that requires focus and stamina. The road maintains a fast, consistent pace, trading technical turns for efficient, high-speed transit. Expect a straightforward driving experience that prioritizes speed and directness over winding secondary roads.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 185.5 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 156.8 miles in near I 57.
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 19 significant decision points across 380 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 156.8 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 342.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 342.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
738 ft361 ft
Total Climb
733 ft
Total Descent
462 ft
Highest Point
738 ft
~332.5 mi in
Elevation Range
376 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 Metropolis, 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 7h 7m. Total distance: 380 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 7m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 185.5 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 156.8 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 342.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 342.6 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Des Plaines, IL before the return drive.
