Trip from Shiloh, IL to Des Plaines, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 39m

Distance

294.6 mi

474 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

Fair

3 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 26m ★

6 AM

5h 39m

8 AM

6h 6m

10 AM

5h 49m

12 PM

5h 46m

3 PM

5h 50m

5 PM

6h 4m

8 PM

5h 31m

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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Shiloh, IL

Mike Tyurin

city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Des Plaines, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 294.6-mile journey from Shiloh, IL, to Des Plaines, IL, is designed for a single day, taking an estimated 5 hours and 39 minutes of driving time. You'll primarily be on major highways, with the Tri-State Tollway and I-55 accounting for the vast majority of your travel. With an estimated fuel cost of $46, this is a straightforward, highway-focused trip through the Midwest. Plan for one main stop to break up the drive. Given the distance and duration, it's a manageable day trip 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

147.3 miles from Shiloh, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 55	259.5 mi	4h 44m
Tri-State Tollway	16.6 mi	20m
Scott Troy Road	5.3 mi	9m
Troy Ofallon Road	4.2 mi	7m
South Des Plaines River Road	1.7 mi	3m
South Main Street	1.6 mi	2m
West US Highway 40	1.5 mi	2m
Highway 50	0.4 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 55 — 259.5 mi, about 4h 44m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on South Main Street

1.6 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

At end of road, turn right onto Highway 50

0.4 mi · 46 sec · Highway 50

Turn left onto Scott Troy Road

5.3 mi · 9 min · Scott Troy Road

Continue on Troy Ofallon Road

4.2 mi · 7 min · Troy Ofallon Road

Turn left onto US 40

1.5 mi · 2 min · West US Highway 40

Take the ramp onto US 40

0.2 mi · 21 sec · US Highway 40

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 45 sec

Toward I 55 North, I 70 East: Chicago, Indianapolis

Merge onto I 55; I 70

1.4 mi · 1 min · I 55; I 70

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

108 mi · 1 hr 56 min · I 55

Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

29 mi · 31 min · I 55

Toward I 55 North: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

121 mi · 2 hr 14 min · I 55

Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.6 mi · 3 min

Exit 277A Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin Use the right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin

Merge onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

12 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec

Toward Touhy Avenue West Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Exit 42B Toward Touhy Avenue West Use the right lane.

Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue

325 ft · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue

Turn slight right

339 ft · 9 sec

Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road

1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road

Turn left onto Henry Avenue

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Henry Avenue

Arrive at destination

Henry Avenue

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 5.5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Shiloh to avoid potential traffic as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area. With only one recommended stop, you can be strategic about when and where you pull over to rest. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the long 259.5-mile stretch on I-55, as services can be more spread out. The $46 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's wise to budget a little extra. This route is best tackled as a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your timing.

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 147.3 miles from Shiloh, IL, or about 2h 48m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 259.5 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 65 miles or 1h 19m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 147.3 miles or 2h 48m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 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 Shiloh, 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 Shiloh, IL

This is one driving day of about 294.6 miles and 5h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Shiloh, 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 259.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bloomington, IL

147 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Springfield, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bloomington, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 147.3 miles from Shiloh, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 259.5 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Capri Ristorante

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 24min to go 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+16304554003

Visit website

Bella Milano O'Fallon

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

O'Fallon, Illinois

2.2 mi

Falco's Pizza

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Burr Ridge, Illinois

2.8 mi

Capri Ristorante

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+16304554003

Visit website

Bella Milano O'Fallon

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

O'Fallon, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16186240700

Visit website

Falco's Pizza

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16306544644

Visit website

Taco Bell

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Countryside, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+17083545535

Visit website

Chatham Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Chatham, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12176971101

Visit website

Sushi Ya

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+18157303838

Visit website

Chuck's Southern Comforts Cafe & Banquets

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30

Darien, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13314314000

Visit website

Wasabi Sushi Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Edwardsville, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+16186559880

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Lincoln, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12177354444

Visit website

InCharge Energy Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Lincoln, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18333994638

Visit website

Universal Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Lincoln, Illinois

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3 mi from route ~7 min detour

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 122.9 and 292.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

122.9 mi into trip | ~2h 22m 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

152.3 mi into trip | ~2h 53m 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

273.1 mi into trip | ~5h 8m 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

291.6 mi into trip | ~5h 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

292.3 mi into trip | ~5h 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

$46.06 one way

$92.11 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 103 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$50.57	$101.14
premium	$4.89	$56.69	$113.39
diesel	$5.61	$65.04	$130.09

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

$46

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 103.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	88.4	1	$30.93	$14.14
Efficient EV	73.7	0	$25.78	$11.78
EV Truck/SUV	117.8	1	$41.24	$18.85

Gas CO2

103 kg

EV CO2

34 kg (67% 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 Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Shiloh, IL

Late night in Shiloh on Tuesday

Local time

3:47 AM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Des Plaines, IL

Late night in Des Plaines on Tuesday

Local time

3:47 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

68°F

Bloomington, IL

147 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

7 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

5h 39m 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...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free near mile 91.4

View on nps.gov

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...

16 mi from route ~41 min detour Free near mile 274.3

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect an 89% highway experience on this route. The majority of your time will be spent on I-55, which forms the longest uninterrupted stretch at 259.5 miles. This section of the drive is characterized by its speed and efficiency, typical of major interstate travel. While largely highway-focused, you will utilize Scott Troy Road for a portion of the journey before rejoining the main interstates. The road primarily offers a consistent, fast-paced driving environment.

89% 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: 259.5 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 122.9 miles in near I 55.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 294.6 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 122.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 273.1 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 Shiloh, IL and Des Plaines, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.

Springfield

15.1 mi in | ~25m | via I 55

Kansas City

15.1 mi in | ~25m | via I 55

Peoria

152.3 mi in | ~2h 53m | via I 55

About the Cities

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 5h 39m. Total distance: 294.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 259.5 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.

Yes — we found about 33 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 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 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.

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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Explore more options from Shiloh, IL or browse trips ending in Des Plaines, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Trip from Shiloh, IL to Des Plaines, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Capri Ristorante

Capri Ristorante

Bella Milano O'Fallon

Falco's Pizza

Taco Bell

Chatham Cafe

Sushi Ya

Chuck's Southern Comforts Cafe & Banquets

Wasabi Sushi Bar

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

InCharge Energy Charging Station

Universal Charging Station

Rail Splitter Rest Area - Northbound

Hinsdale Oasis

Rail Splitter Rest Area - Southbound

TA

Dixie Trucker's Home

Love's Travel Stop

Homestead Rest Area - Southbound

Coalfield Rest Area

Funks Grove Rest Area

Limestone Rest Area (Southbound)

Limestone Rest Area (Northbound)

Homestead Rest Area - Northbound

TA

Greater Chicago Truck Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Road Ranger

Petro Stopping Centers

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Road Ranger

Pilot Travel Center

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Rest Area

Rest Area

Prairie Trail Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Shiloh, IL

Des Plaines, IL

Same local time

7 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 39m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

Pullman National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Arriving in Des Plaines, IL

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?