Saratoga, IL to Des Plaines, IL is 356.3 miles and takes about 6h 47m via I 57 and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, starting in the Midwest and ending in the Midwest. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward trip. Plan for a single day of travel, as the duration is manageable for most drivers.
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
178.2 miles from Saratoga, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
185.5 mi
3h 21m
Ken Gray Expressway
126.8 mi
2h 16m
Tri-State Tollway
32.5 mi
40m
Lick Creek Road
3.7 mi
9m
New Saratoga Road
2.5 mi
9m
South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi
3m
Henry Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
East Touhy Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 185.5 mi, about 3h 21m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,006 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,239
Quietest
3 AM
~158 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saratoga, IL and Des Plaines, IL.
1
Start on New Saratoga Road
2.5 mi·9 min·New Saratoga Road
2
Turn left onto Lick Creek Road
3.7 mi·9 min·Lick Creek Road
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
4
Merge onto I 57
59 mi·1 hr 4 min·Ken Gray Expressway
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
67 mi·1 hr 12 min·Ken Gray Expressway
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
6
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.
7
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.
8
Keep slight right at fork
1.8 mi·3 min
Exit 349Toward I 294 Toll North: WisconsinUse the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Merge onto I 294
21 mi·25 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
12 mi·15 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy AvenueUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy Avenue
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Touhy Avenue WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 42BToward Touhy Avenue WestUse the right lane.
15
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
325 ft·7 sec·East Touhy Avenue
16
Turn slight right
339 ft·9 sec
17
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi·3 min·South Des Plaines River Road
18
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
0.1 mi·24 sec·Henry Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
Henry Avenue
Trip Plan
Leaving in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight for this 6h 47m drive. The longest stretch without needing a major exit is 185.5 miles on I 57, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly. While the total distance is 356.3 miles, it's easily completed in one day. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $54, and ensure you're prepared for toll roads on the Tri-State Tollway as you approach Des Plaines.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 178.2 miles from Saratoga, IL, or about 3h 24m 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 78 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.2 miles or 3h 24m 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 32m
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 Saratoga, 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 Saratoga, IL
This is one driving day of about 356.3 miles and 6h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Saratoga, 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 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 133.2 and 354 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
133.2 mi into trip|~2h 35m 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
318.6 mi into trip|~5h 57m 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
319 mi into trip|~5h 57m 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
353.3 mi into trip|~6h 41m 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
354 mi into trip|~6h 43m 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
$52.62 one way
$105.23 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$58.09
$116.18
premium
$4.72
$66.15
$132.31
diesel
$4.80
$67.28
$134.55
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
$53
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.9
1
$37.41
$17.10
Efficient EV
89.1
1
$31.18
$14.25
EV Truck/SUV
142.5
1
$49.88
$22.80
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (66% 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Saratoga, IL
Late night
in Saratoga on Sunday
Local time
2:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Des Plaines, IL
Late night
in Des Plaines on Sunday
Local time
2:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Smoke
0 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln 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
2 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
6h 47m 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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 319.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 88% of the 356.3 miles on major roads like I 57 and the Tri-State Tollway. You'll experience a lengthy stretch of 185.5 miles on I 57 before encountering surface roads. Expect a consistent highway feel for the majority of your travel, with a significant amount of time spent on high-speed, limited-access roads.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 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 133.2 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 14 significant decision points across 356.3 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 133.2 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 318.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 319 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
784 ft429 ft
Total Climb
638 ft
Total Descent
436 ft
Highest Point
784 ft
~305.4 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.
On the drive from Saratoga, 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 6h 47m. Total distance: 356.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 47m 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.
Yes — we found about 50 rest areas or service plazas 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.
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. There are 50 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 133.2 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 318.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 319 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 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.6 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.
