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Trip from Mount Zion, IL to Des Plaines, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 55m

Distance

201.3 mi

324 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 43m ★
6 AM
3h 56m
8 AM
4h 22m
10 AM
4h 5m
12 PM
4h 2m
3 PM
4h 6m
5 PM
4h 20m
8 PM
3h 48m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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hill in Jerusalem

Mount Zion, IL

Wikimedia Commons

city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Des Plaines, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 201.3-mile drive from Mount Zion, Illinois, to Des Plaines, Illinois, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 55 minutes. Primarily utilizing interstates, including I-57 and I-72, before merging onto the Tri-State Tollway, this route focuses on efficient travel. With a fuel cost estimated at $31, it's a budget-friendly option for moving between these two Midwest locations. The journey is designed for getting from point A to point B without significant detours, making it ideal for those who prefer highway travel.

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

100.7 miles from Mount Zion, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m 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
North 22nd Street 3.9 mi 6m
US 36 3.1 mi 4m
South Mount Zion Road 2.1 mi 3m
South Des Plaines River Road 1.7 mi 3m
South State Route 121 1.6 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 57 — 113.8 mi, about 2h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mount Zion, IL and Des Plaines, IL.

1

Start on North Henderson Street

64 ft · 5 sec · North Henderson Street
2

Turn right onto CTH 30

0.3 mi · 32 sec · West Main Street
3

Turn slight left onto IL 121

1.6 mi · 2 min · South State Route 121
4

Continue on IL 121

2.1 mi · 3 min · South Mount Zion Road
5

Turn left onto US 36; IL 121

3.1 mi · 4 min · US 36; IL 121
6

Turn right onto North 22nd Street

3.9 mi · 6 min · North 22nd Street
7

Continue on IL 48

1.0 mi · 1 min · IL 48
8

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I-72 East: Champaign
9

Merge onto I 72

37 mi · 39 min · I 72
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Exit 182B Toward I 57 North: Chicago
11

Merge onto I 57

114 mi · 2 hr 4 min · I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 349-350 Toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork

1.8 mi · 3 min
Exit 349 Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14

Merge onto I 294

21 mi · 25 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

12 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue Use the slight right lane.
17

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue
18

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward Touhy Avenue West Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Exit 42B Toward Touhy Avenue West Use the right lane.
20

Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue

325 ft · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
21

Turn slight right

339 ft · 9 sec
22

Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road

1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
23

Turn left onto Henry Avenue

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
24

Arrive at destination

Henry Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour and 55-minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single-day adventure, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. You'll want to plan for one main stop to break up the 201.3 miles, especially considering the longest stretch of 113.8 miles on I-57. Keep an eye on your fuel as you approach the tollway section, as rest areas might be less frequent. The $31 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always check current prices before you depart.

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 100.7 miles from Mount Zion, IL, or about 1h 56m 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 100.7 miles or 1h 56m 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 7m

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 Mount Zion, 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 Mount Zion, IL

This is one driving day of about 201.3 miles and 3h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Mount Zion, 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.

village in Chebanse Township, Iroquois County, Illinois, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Clifton, IL

101 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Clifton, IL to Des Plaines, IL

90.8 mi · 1h 51m

Pacing Suggestions

Champaign, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Onarga, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 100.7 miles from Mount Zion, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Yolks & Berries

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bradley, Illinois

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 129.4

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18159351501

Visit website

Roma Cafe Chicago Ridge

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Chicago Ridge, Illinois

0.5 mi

Taj Indian Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bradley, Illinois

0.4 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Chicago Ridge, Illinois

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 172.5

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+17085813915

Visit website

Yolks & Berries

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 129.4

Bradley, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18159351501

Visit website

Roma Cafe Chicago Ridge

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 172.5

Chicago Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 1 pm–3 am

+17084990048

Taj Indian Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 129.4

Bradley, Illinois

Hours: 10:30 am–11 pm

+17797015344

J. Alexander's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Expensive mile 186.9

Oak Brook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+16305738180

Visit website

Ditka's Oakbrook

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour Expensive mile 186.9

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16305722200

Visit website

Crossroads Cantina

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 100.7

Gilman, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+18157075200

Visit website

Bootsma Bookstore Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 172.5

Palos Heights, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17082393976

Golden Bear Pancake & Crepery Restaurants

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 172.5

Alsip, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–2:30 pm

+17086533454

Visit website

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 172.5

Chicago Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+17085813915

Visit website

Original Mocha Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 158.2

Tinley Park, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+17089044960

Visit website

Bonny's Bistro

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 158.2

Matteson, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+17738964817

Visit website

Solyne Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 158.2

Frankfort, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+18477444958

Visit website

Universal Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 14.4

Decatur, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18663502738

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 14.4

Decatur, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 57.5

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 57.5

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Pilot EV Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 14.4

Decatur, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12178760208

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 14.4

Decatur, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12178760208

Visit website

Circle K | Electric Vehicle Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 57.5

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18335052291

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Decatur, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12178643297

Visit website

Caffe Milan

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 158.2

Frankfort, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm

+18154697124

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 163.6 and 199 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
163.6 mi into trip | ~3h 5m 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
164 mi into trip | ~3h 5m 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
198.3 mi into trip | ~3h 49m 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
198.9 mi into trip | ~3h 50m 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
199 mi into trip | ~3h 51m 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

$31.47 one way

$62.94 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 70 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $34.55 $69.11
premium $4.89 $38.74 $77.48
diesel $5.61 $44.44 $88.89

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: 70.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 60.4 0 $21.14 $9.66
Efficient EV 50.3 0 $17.61 $8.05
EV Truck/SUV 80.5 1 $28.18 $12.88

Gas CO2

70 kg

EV CO2

24 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

Mount Zion, IL

Morning in Mount Zion on Sunday

Local time

7:51 AM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Des Plaines, IL

Morning in Des Plaines on Sunday

Local time

7:51 AM

CDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

69°F

Clifton, IL

101 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

18 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 55m 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

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 166.6
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 201.3-mile journey, with 78% of the drive on major roadways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 113.8 miles on I-57, offering a consistent pace for an extended period. The route transitions between different interstate segments, eventually leading you onto the Tri-State Tollway as you approach your destination. While not characterized by winding country roads, this profile ensures a predictable and efficient drive.

78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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 163.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 15 significant decision points across 201.3 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 163.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 164 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 198.3 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 Mount Zion, IL to Des Plaines, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Wisconsin along the way.

Wisconsin

163.6 mi in | ~3h 5m

About the Cities

Starting in Mount Zion, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1881

Jerusalem (Hebrew: ירושלים Yerushalayim, Arabic: القدس al-Quds) is the largest city of Israel. Israel claims it as its capital and a few countries including the United States recognize that claim, but most other countries and the United Nations do not. The ancient city in the Judean Hills has a fascinating history spanning thousands of years. The city is holy to the three monotheistic religions — Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and serves as a spiritual, religious, and cultural center. Due to the religious significance of the city, and in particular the many sites of the Old City area, Jerusalem is one of the main tourist destinations in Israel. Jerusalem has many historic, archeological and cultural sites, along with vibrant and crowded shopping centers, cafes, and restaurants.

Arriving in Des Plaines, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1852

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

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 55m. Total distance: 201.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (78%). 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 163.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 164 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 198.3 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 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Des Plaines, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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