Northville to Des Plaines is 68.7 miles and takes about 1h 39m via IL 56 and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to the same region. Expect a mix of driving experiences, with a significant portion on tollways. This is a straightforward drive, ideal for a quick connection between two points without needing an overnight stay. Consider this if you're looking for an efficient, no-fuss route.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.3 miles from Northville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
IL 56
24.8 mi
30m
West Church Street
10.3 mi
17m
Tri-State Tollway
9.9 mi
13m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
4.7 mi
5m
East 2351st Road
4.3 mi
7m
Eldamain Road
3.5 mi
5m
US 30
2.9 mi
3m
Galena Road
2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
IL 56
— 24.8 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Northville, IL and Des Plaines, IL.
1
Start on CH 2
0.1 mi·15 sec·County Highway 2
2
Continue on CH 2
4.3 mi·7 min·East 2351st Road
3
Turn straight onto North Gage Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North Gage Street
4
Turn right onto US 34
10 mi·17 min·West Church Street
Use the left lane.
5
Turn left onto Eldamain Road
3.5 mi·5 min·Eldamain Road
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto Galena Road
2.0 mi·2 min·Galena Road
Use the right lane.
7
Turn left onto North Bridge Street
1.2 mi·1 min·North Bridge Street
8
Continue on US 30; IL 47
2.9 mi·3 min·US 30; IL 47
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward IL 56 East: ChicagoUse the right lane.
10
Merge onto IL 56
25 mi·30 min·IL 56
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 139Toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, RockfordUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
14
Merge onto I 294
9.9 mi·13 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy AvenueUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy Avenue
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Touhy Avenue WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 42BToward Touhy Avenue WestUse the right lane.
19
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
325 ft·7 sec·East Touhy Avenue
20
Turn slight right
339 ft·9 sec
21
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi·3 min·South Des Plaines River Road
22
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
0.1 mi·24 sec·Henry Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
Henry Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 1h 39m duration, this route is easily completed in a single day. Leaving Northville in the morning, perhaps around 9 AM, should help you avoid the worst of any potential traffic, especially as you approach the tollway. With a fuel cost estimated at $11, you won't need to worry too much about frequent refueling stops, but it's always wise to top off before heading out. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 24.8 miles on IL 56, so plan for that segment to be more of a cruising experience before you hit the faster tollway sections.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 34.3 miles from Northville, IL, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.8 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 15 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.3 miles or 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 1h 23m
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 Northville, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Northville, IL
This is one driving day of about 68.7 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Northville, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on IL 56 for about 24.8 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.1 and 66.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.1 mi into trip|~9m in|US 34 / West Church Street
Turn right onto US 34 / West Church Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
54.9 mi into trip|~1h 18m 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
65.7 mi into trip|~1h 32m 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
66.3 mi into trip|~1h 34m 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
66.4 mi into trip|~1h 34m 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
$10.74 one way
$21.48 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg24 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$11.79
$23.59
premium
$4.89
$13.22
$26.44
diesel
$5.61
$15.17
$30.34
Estimated Tolls: $0.88
Tri-state Tollway
(9.9 mi)$0.60
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(4.7 mi)$0.28
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
$11
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.6
0
$7.21
$3.30
Efficient EV
17.2
0
$6.01
$2.75
EV Truck/SUV
27.5
0
$9.62
$4.40
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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 20, 2026
Origin
Northville, IL
Morning
in Northville on Tuesday
Local time
7:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Des Plaines, IL
Morning
in Des Plaines on Tuesday
Local time
7:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
65°F
Aurora, IL
34 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
15 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
1h 39m 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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 54.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 40% of this 68.7-mile drive will be on the Tri-State Tollway. You'll experience a stretch of 24.8 miles on IL 56 before merging onto the highway system. Transitioning from surface streets to the tollway means you'll notice a change from local traffic and intersections to higher speeds and more consistent flow. Be prepared for frequent exits and entry ramps as you navigate the tollway.
40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 24.8 mi on IL 56.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.1 miles in near US 34 / West Church Street.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.7 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.1 miles (US 34 / West Church Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 54.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.7 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.
Between Northville, IL and Des Plaines, IL, road signs point toward Rockford and Milwaukee.
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 1h 39m. Total distance: 68.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (40%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 24.8 miles on IL 56. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.88 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.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.1 miles (US 34 / West Church Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 54.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.7 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Des Plaines, IL before heading back.
