This 101.7-mile drive from Streator, IL to Des Plaines, IL is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 16 minutes. You'll primarily be on major interstates like I-80 and I-55, with a significant portion on the Tri-State Tollway, making it a highway-focused journey through the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $16, this route is budget-friendly for a day trip. It's a practical option for getting between these two Illinois locations without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.9 miles from Streator, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
32.8 mi
35m
I 55
26.6 mi
32m
Tri-State Tollway
16.6 mi
20m
1st Avenue
12.5 mi
21m
US 6
2.3 mi
3m
South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi
3m
North Bloomington Street
1.2 mi
2m
South Park Street
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 32.8 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Streator, IL and Des Plaines, IL.
1
Start on IL 18
49 ft·8 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn left onto IL 23
0.1 mi·18 sec·South Bloomington Street
3
Turn left onto East Bridge Street
368 ft·14 sec·East Bridge Street
4
Turn left onto IL 23
1.1 mi·2 min·South Park Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Turn straight onto IL 23
1.2 mi·2 min·North Bloomington Street
6
Continue on IL 23
12 mi·21 min·1st Avenue
7
Turn straight onto IL 23
0.1 mi·17 sec·West Moore Street
8
Continue on IL 23
0.7 mi·1 min·East 17th Road
9
Continue on IL 23; IL 71
0.1 mi·23 sec·Columbus Street
10
Turn right onto East Main Street
0.8 mi·1 min·East Main Street
11
Turn slight left onto Green Street
0.4 mi·42 sec·Green Street
12
Continue on North 2753rd Road
0.6 mi·1 min·North 2753rd Road
13
Turn left
0.2 mi·26 sec
14
Turn right onto US 6; IL 71
2.3 mi·3 min·US 6; IL 71
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 80 East: Joliet
16
Merge onto I 80
33 mi·35 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 126BToward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the right lane.
18
Merge onto I 55
27 mi·32 min·I 55
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Take the exit
1.6 mi·3 min
Exit 277AToward I 294 Tollway North: WisconsinUse the right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
21
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
12 mi·15 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy AvenueUse the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy Avenue
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Touhy Avenue WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 42BToward Touhy Avenue WestUse the right lane.
27
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
325 ft·7 sec·East Touhy Avenue
28
Turn slight right
339 ft·9 sec
29
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi·3 min·South Des Plaines River Road
30
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
0.1 mi·24 sec·Henry Avenue
31
Arrive at destination
Henry Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of just over two hours, this route offers flexibility. You could depart mid-morning to avoid peak rush hour traffic in the Chicago area if that's a concern. Fueling up before you leave Streator is a good idea, as the $16 fuel cost suggests it's not a particularly gas-guzzling trip, but knowing you have a full tank provides peace of mind. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan for a brief break on your own if needed, perhaps around the halfway point.
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 50.9 miles from Streator, IL, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.8 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 22 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.9 miles or 1h 9m 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 51m
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 Streator, 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 Streator, IL
This is one driving day of about 101.7 miles and 2h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Streator, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 32.8 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 53.3 and 99.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
53.3 mi into trip|~1h 11m in
Take the exit toward I 55 North: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 126B
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
7
80.3 mi into trip|~1h 45m 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
98.7 mi into trip|~2h 10m 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
99.3 mi into trip|~2h 11m 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
99.5 mi into trip|~2h 12m 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
$15.90 one way
$31.80 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$17.46
$34.91
premium
$4.89
$19.57
$39.14
diesel
$5.61
$22.45
$44.91
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
$16
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.5
0
$10.68
$4.88
Efficient EV
25.4
0
$8.90
$4.07
EV Truck/SUV
40.7
0
$14.24
$6.51
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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
Streator, IL
Late night
in Streator on Tuesday
Local time
4:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Des Plaines, IL
Late night
in Des Plaines on Tuesday
Local time
4:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
5 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
2h 16m 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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 82.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-intensive experience on this route, with 61% of your travel occurring on major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 32.8 miles on I-80. While the majority of the drive is on high-speed roadways, keep in mind the character of interstates can be consistent, requiring focus for the entire duration. This isn't a winding country road; it's about efficient travel.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.8 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 53.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 101.7 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 53.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 98.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 2h 16m. Total distance: 101.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.8 miles on I 80. 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 53.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 98.7 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.
