Connecting Moline to Des Plaines covers 163.8 miles across the Illinois landscape, typically taking about 2 hours and 40 minutes of driving time. Because the duration is relatively short, this trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. You should budget approximately $24 for fuel to complete the journey. Navigating this route involves using 19th Street, the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, and IL 5 East. Since both your start and end points are located within the Midwest, you can expect a familiar regional feel throughout the drive. This is a straightforward, practical transit option for those moving between these two Illinois hubs.
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
83.8 miles from Moline, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
95.7 mi
1h 46m
I 88
43.8 mi
46m
John Deere Road
10.6 mi
15m
Tri-State Tollway
9.9 mi
13m
I 74
2.3 mi
2m
South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi
3m
IL 5
0.3 mi
<1m
5th Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
— 95.7 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Moline, IL and Des Plaines, IL.
1
Start on 5th Avenue
0.2 mi·41 sec·5th Avenue
2
Turn right onto 19th Street
0.2 mi·29 sec·19th Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
4
Merge onto I 74; US 6
2.3 mi·2 min·I 74; US 6
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward IL 5 East
6
Merge onto IL 5
11 mi·15 min·John Deere Road
7
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 5; IL 92
0.3 mi·23 sec·IL 5; IL 92
8
Continue on I 88; IL 92
44 mi·46 min·I 88; IL 92
9
Continue on I 88; IL 110
91 mi·1 hr 40 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110
4.7 mi·5 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 139Toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, RockfordUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
13
Merge onto I 294
9.9 mi·13 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 local nature of these roads, try to schedule your departure during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the smaller thoroughfares. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs, as the constant turning can be more tiring than highway driving. Since the fuel cost is estimated at $24, topping off your tank before leaving Moline will ensure you don't have to hunt for a station along the more technical sections of the route. Because this is a shorter drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace or take extra breaks without falling behind schedule. Keep a close eye on your GPS, as the frequent road transitions require steady navigation through local intersections.
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 83.8 miles from Moline, IL, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.7 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 37 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.8 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 36m
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 Moline, 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 Moline, IL
This is one driving day of about 167.6 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Moline, 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 95.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
2.2 mi from route
~6 min detour
$10 to $20
mile 12
Hampton, Illinois
Hours: 10 am–1 pm
+13097553077
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 149 and 165.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
149 mi into trip|~2h 49m in|I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
153.8 mi into trip|~2h 55m in
Take the exit toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
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 139
Toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rock...
7
164.5 mi into trip|~3h 9m 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
165.2 mi into trip|~3h 11m 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
165.3 mi into trip|~3h 11m 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
$26.20 one way
$52.40 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.77
$57.54
premium
$4.89
$32.25
$64.51
diesel
$5.61
$37.00
$74.01
Estimated Tolls: $6.34
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(95.7 mi)$5.74
Tri-state Tollway
(9.9 mi)$0.60
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
$26
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.3
0
$17.60
$8.04
Efficient EV
41.9
0
$14.67
$6.70
EV Truck/SUV
67
0
$23.46
$10.73
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Moline, IL
Late night
in Moline on Sunday
Local time
2:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Des Plaines, IL
Late night
in Des Plaines on Sunday
Local time
2:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Oregon, IL
84 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
21 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 16m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 156
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. Because the roads are winding and require your full attention, the driving experience feels much more hands-on than a typical freeway slog. You won't find long, uninterrupted stretches here, with the longest segment on 19th Street measuring 0 miles. The character of the road changes frequently as you transition between local streets and state highways. It is the type of trip where you stay engaged with the road layout from start to finish, making it a distinct departure from high-speed, multi-lane transit.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 95.7 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 149 miles in near I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.
Driving Effort10/10
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 14 significant decision points across 167.6 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 149 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 153.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 164.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
931 ft576 ft
Total Climb
370 ft
Total Descent
314 ft
Highest Point
931 ft
~95.8 mi in
Elevation Range
355 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Moline, IL and Des Plaines, IL, road signs point toward Rockford and Milwaukee.
Moline is one of the Quad Cities in Western Illinois. Moline's downtown serves as one of the civic and recreational hubs of the Quad Cities; many events take place at the 12,000-seat TaxSlayer Center (formerly known as The MARK of the Quad Cities and iWireless Center) and at John Deere Commons.
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 16m. Total distance: 167.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 95.7 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.34 in tolls one way, starting with Reagan 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.
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 149 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 153.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 164.5 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 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Des Plaines, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
