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Trip from Woodside, IL to Des Plaines, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 1m

Distance

210.4 mi

339 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 48m ★
6 AM
4h 1m
8 AM
4h 27m
10 AM
4h 10m
12 PM
4h 8m
3 PM
4h 12m
5 PM
4h 26m
8 PM
3h 54m

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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Downtown Woodside, IL, IL

Woodside, IL

Mike Tyurin

city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Des Plaines, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 210.4-mile journey from Woodside, IL, to Des Plaines, IL, is designed for a single day of travel, estimated to take just over 4 hours. You'll primarily be on major highways, including I 55 and the Tri-State Tollway, making it a straightforward drive through the Midwest. With a projected fuel cost of around $33, this route is budget-friendly for a day trip. The majority of the drive is on highways, so expect a consistent pace. This trip is best suited for those looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two Illinois locations.

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

105.2 miles from Woodside, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 186.4 mi 3h 25m
Tri-State Tollway 16.6 mi 20m
South Des Plaines River Road 1.7 mi 3m
Toronto Road 1.3 mi 2m
Woodside Road 0.8 mi 1m
Henry Avenue 0.1 mi <1m
East Touhy Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
West Iron Bridge Road <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 186.4 mi, about 3h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on West Iron Bridge Road

107 ft · 4 sec · West Iron Bridge Road
2

Turn right onto Woodside Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · Woodside Road
Use the right lane.
3

Continue on Toronto Road

1.3 mi · 2 min · Toronto Road
Use the straight lane.
4

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 50 sec
5

Merge onto I 55

36 mi · 39 min · I 55
6

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.
7

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.
8

Take the exit

1.6 mi · 3 min
Exit 277A Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin Use the right lane.
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
10

Merge onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

12 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue Use the slight right lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue
14

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward Touhy Avenue West Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Exit 42B Toward Touhy Avenue West Use the right lane.
16

Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue

325 ft · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
17

Turn slight right

339 ft · 9 sec
18

Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road

1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
19

Turn left onto Henry Avenue

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
20

Arrive at destination

Henry Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour duration, departing in the morning will allow you to arrive with plenty of daylight. You'll want to plan for one significant stop, perhaps after the longest stretch on I 55, to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on traffic, especially as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area, as congestion can impact your travel time. The $33 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer. Since this is a single-day drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure or stop times as needed.

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 105.2 miles from Woodside, IL, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.4 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 52m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 105.2 miles or 1h 57m 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 11m

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 Woodside, 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 Woodside, IL

This is one driving day of about 210.4 miles and 4h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Woodside, 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 186.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Normal, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Normal, IL

105 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.

Popular next leg

Normal, IL to Des Plaines, IL

135.4 mi · 2h 40m

Pacing Suggestions

Danvers, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

El Paso, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 105.2 miles from Woodside, 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 186.4 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Cancun

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Sherman, Illinois

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 15

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12174963221

Visit website

Happy Place Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Shorewood, Illinois

1.7 mi

LongHorn Steakhouse

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Bolingbrook, Illinois

1.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Critical Grind Board Game Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Shorewood, Illinois

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 165.3

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+18156304235

Visit website

Kafe De Kasa

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Shorewood, Illinois

1.1 mi

Cancun

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 15

Sherman, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12174963221

Visit website

Happy Place Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 165.3

Shorewood, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18156661447

Visit website

LongHorn Steakhouse

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 180.3

Bolingbrook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16307830684

Visit website

Ditka's Oakbrook

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Expensive mile 195.4

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16305722200

Visit website

Bloomin Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 75.1

Normal, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+13098081071

Visit website

J. Alexander's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Expensive mile 195.4

Oak Brook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+16305738180

Visit website

Sushi Ya

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 165.3

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+18157303838

Visit website

Rosemary Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 165.3

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18157824094

Visit website

Critical Grind Board Game Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 165.3

Shorewood, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+18156304235

Visit website

Kafe De Kasa

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 165.3

Shorewood, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17792421902

Visit website

Kafé De Kasa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 165.3

Crest Hill, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18156303694

Visit website

Bonny's Bistro

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 165.3

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+18476271095

Visit website

Emmys Cafe & Gaming

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 150.3

Braidwood, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+18153905133

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 75.1

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Rivian Waypoints

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 75.1

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484261

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 75.1

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484273

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 75.1

Normal, Illinois

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 75.1

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 45.1

Lincoln, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12177354444

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 75.1

Normal, Illinois

+13094549590

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 75.1

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

The Wine Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 150.3

Wilmington, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+18154769009

Visit website

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 195.4

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 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 38.7 and 208.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
38.7 mi into trip | ~44m 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
68.1 mi into trip | ~1h 15m 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
188.9 mi into trip | ~3h 30m 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
207.4 mi into trip | ~3h 55m 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
208.1 mi into trip | ~3h 56m 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

$32.89 one way

$65.79 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 74 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $36.12 $72.23
premium $4.89 $40.49 $80.98
diesel $5.61 $46.45 $92.91

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

$33

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 73.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 63.1 0 $22.09 $10.10
Efficient EV 52.6 0 $18.41 $8.42
EV Truck/SUV 84.2 1 $29.46 $13.47

Gas CO2

74 kg

EV CO2

25 kg (66% 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 18, 2026

Origin

Woodside, IL

Late night in Woodside on Sunday

Local time

12:59 AM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Des Plaines, IL

Late night in Des Plaines on Sunday

Local time

12:59 AM

CDT

Current temp

44°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 15 to 20 mph 100% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 17 at 9:46PM CDT until April 17 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 17 at 9:46PM CDT until April 17 at 10:30PM 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

10 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

4h 1m 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

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 7.3
View on nps.gov
Pullman National Historical Park

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 188.6
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for 89% of your trip, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering an impressive 186.4 miles on I 55. This means your journey will largely consist of open highway travel, allowing for steady progress. While the main roads are I 55 and the Tri-State Tollway, you'll also experience sections of South Des Plaines River Road, offering a slight variation in scenery. The overall character is one of efficient travel, prioritizing getting you to your destination with minimal fuss.

89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 186.4 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 38.7 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 13 significant decision points across 210.4 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 38.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 188.9 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 Woodside, IL to Des Plaines, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.

Peoria

68.1 mi in | ~1h 15m | 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 4h 1m. Total distance: 210.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 1m 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 186.4 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 38.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 188.9 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 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Des Plaines, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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