Drive Time
5h 52m
Distance
285.8 mi
460 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
Photo: Tom Fisk
The drive from Albion, IL to Des Plaines, IL covers 285.8 miles and takes about 5h 52m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 57, IL 33, Tri-State Tollway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 158.9 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.41 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
142.9 miles from Albion, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 7m into the drive .
This is a 5h 52m highway drive covering 285.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and IL 33. The longest continuous stretch is about 158.9 miles on I 57.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and IL 33. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 248.1 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 285.8 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 248.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 248.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 282.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
Keep slight right at fork toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Touhy Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward Touhy Avenue West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward Touhy Avenue West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Albion, IL to Des Plaines, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Wisconsin along the way.
Wisconsin
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 158.9 mi | 2h 52m |
| IL 33 | 36.3 mi | 53m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 32.5 mi | 40m |
| 500E | 24.1 mi | 32m |
| South Van Buren Street | 11 mi | 15m |
| County Road 1100 East | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Illinois Route 16 | 5.3 mi | 7m |
| South West Street | 2.5 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Albion, IL and Des Plaines, IL.
Start on IL 15; IL 130
Continue on IL 130; IL 250
Continue on IL 130
Continue on IL 130
Turn right onto IL 33; IL 130
Turn left onto IL 16
Continue on IL 16
Continue on IL 16
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 57
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 294
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
Turn slight right
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
Arrive at destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.9 miles or 3h 7m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Des Plaines, IL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Albion, 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 Albion, IL
This is one driving day of about 285.8 miles and 5h 52m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 142.9 mi from Albion, IL · 3h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
143 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 142.9 miles from Albion, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 158.9 miles.
The final approach into Des Plaines, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Des Plaines, IL.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$43.41 one way
$86.82 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $47.85 | $95.71 |
| premium | $4.80 | $53.95 | $107.91 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $63.49 | $126.99 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$43
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.7 | 1 | $30.01 | $13.72 |
| Efficient EV | 71.5 | 0 | $25.01 | $11.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 114.3 | 1 | $40.01 | $18.29 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Albion on Saturday
Local time
4:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Des Plaines on Saturday
Local time
4:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
54°F
Champaign, IL
143 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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