This 207.4-mile drive from Petersburg, Illinois, to Des Plaines, Illinois, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 4 hours and 5 minutes. It's an ideal one-day excursion, so you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. The estimated fuel cost is around $32, making it a budget-friendly option for exploring within the Midwest. You'll primarily be on major highways, so expect a focused driving experience. This route is well-suited for those looking for an efficient journey between these two Illinois points.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
103.7 miles from Petersburg, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
167.3 mi
3h 4m
Tri-State Tollway
16.6 mi
20m
Athens Blacktop Road
6.6 mi
9m
County Road 11 N
3.6 mi
5m
Dinius Road
2.9 mi
3m
Old Salem Road
1.8 mi
2m
South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi
3m
IL 29
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 167.3 mi, about 3h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Petersburg, IL and Des Plaines, IL.
1
Start on IL 97; IL 123
0.3 mi·48 sec·South 6th Street
2
Continue on IL 97; IL 123
0.1 mi·20 sec·South 6th Street
3
Continue on IL 97; IL 123
1.8 mi·2 min·Old Salem Road
4
Turn left onto Athens Blacktop Road
6.6 mi·9 min·Athens Blacktop Road
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on North Main Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·North Main Street
6
Turn left onto East Hargrave Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East Hargrave Street
7
Continue on Springfield Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Springfield Road
8
At end of road, turn right onto IL 29; IL 123
1.5 mi·2 min·IL 29; IL 123
9
Turn left onto IL 123
3.6 mi·5 min·County Road 11 N
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on IL 123
2.9 mi·3 min·Dinius Road
11
Continue on IL 123
0.3 mi·34 sec·County Highway 2
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·57 sec
13
Merge onto I 55
17 mi·18 min·I 55
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
121 mi·2 hr 14 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
1.6 mi·3 min
Exit 277AToward I 294 Tollway North: WisconsinUse the right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
18
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
12 mi·15 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy AvenueUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy Avenue
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Touhy Avenue WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 42BToward Touhy Avenue WestUse the right lane.
24
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
325 ft·7 sec·East Touhy Avenue
25
Turn slight right
339 ft·9 sec
26
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi·3 min·South Des Plaines River Road
27
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
0.1 mi·24 sec·Henry Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
Henry Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 5-minute duration, starting your trip in the morning is your best bet to arrive with plenty of daylight. You'll have one main stretch of 167.3 miles on I-55, so plan for a fuel and rest stop before you begin that segment to ensure comfort. While the route is manageable for a single day, keep an eye on traffic, especially as you approach the Des Plaines area, which can experience congestion. The Tri-State Tollway portion means you'll want to be prepared for tolls.
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 103.7 miles from Petersburg, IL, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 167.3 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 46 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.7 miles or 2h 3m 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 16m
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 Petersburg, 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 Petersburg, IL
This is one driving day of about 207.4 miles and 4h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Petersburg, 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 55 for about 167.3 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 35.8 and 205.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
35.8 mi into trip|~48m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
65.1 mi into trip|~1h 20m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
186 mi into trip|~3h 34m in
Take the exit toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
7
204.4 mi into trip|~3h 59m 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
205.2 mi into trip|~4h 1m 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
$32.42 one way
$64.85 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$35.60
$71.20
premium
$4.89
$39.91
$79.82
diesel
$5.61
$45.79
$91.58
Estimated Tolls: $0.99
Tri-state Tollway
(16.6 mi)$0.99
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
$32
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.2
0
$21.78
$9.96
Efficient EV
51.9
0
$18.15
$8.30
EV Truck/SUV
83
1
$29.04
$13.27
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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 16, 2026
Origin
Petersburg, IL
Late night
in Petersburg on Tuesday
Local time
4:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Des Plaines, IL
Late night
in Des Plaines on Tuesday
Local time
4:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 10 to 15 mph44% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 11:30AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 11:30AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA 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
1 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
4h 5m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 14.3
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 186
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 82% of the drive taking place on interstates and tollways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 167.3 miles on I-55, offering a consistent pace for a large portion of your journey. While there are brief moments on local roads like Athens Blacktop Road, the overall character is that of an interstate drive, designed for efficient travel rather than scenic detours. Expect a smooth, predictable experience for most of the 207.4 miles.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 167.3 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 35.8 miles in near I 55.
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 16 significant decision points across 207.4 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 35.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 186 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 Petersburg, IL to Des Plaines, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria 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 4h 5m. Total distance: 207.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 167.3 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.99 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 35.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 186 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Des Plaines, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
