Origin
Arthur, IL
Morning in Arthur on Tuesday
Local time
11:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arthur, IL to Des Plaines, IL
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 46m
Distance
191.4 mi
308 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 33m
★
6 AM
3h 46m
8 AM
4h 11m
10 AM
3h 55m
12 PM
3h 52m
3 PM
3h 56m
5 PM
4h 10m
8 PM
3h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arthur, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Des Plaines, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Arthur, IL to Des Plaines, IL covers 191.4 miles and takes about 3h 46m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 57, Tri-State Tollway, County Road 950 North for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 136.8 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.92 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
95.7 miles from Arthur, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 3h 46m highway drive covering 191.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and Tri-State Tollway. The longest continuous stretch is about 136.8 miles on I 57.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 136.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 153.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 191.4 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 153.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 188.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
153.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m 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
154.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m 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
188.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 39m 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
189 mi into trip
|
~3h 41m 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
189.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 41m 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
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 Arthur, IL to Des Plaines, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Wisconsin along the way.
Wisconsin
153.8 mi in
|
~2h 55m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 136.8 mi | 2h 28m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 32.5 mi | 40m |
| County Road 950 North | 10.1 mi | 15m |
| North County Road 000 East | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| South Des Plaines River Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| South Vine Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| United States Route 36 | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| East Southline Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 136.8 mi, about 2h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arthur, IL and Des Plaines, IL.
1
Start on South Vine Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Vine Street
2
Continue on North County Road 000 East
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
North County Road 000 East
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 36
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
·
United States Route 36
4
Continue on US 36
9.3 mi
·
13 min
·
County Road 950 North
5
Continue on US 36
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Southline Road
6
Continue on US 36
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road 950 North
7
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
8
Merge onto I 57
137 mi
·
2 hr 28 min
·
I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 349-350
Toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
1.8 mi
·
3 min
Exit 349
Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Merge onto I 294
21 mi
·
25 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward Touhy Avenue West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 42B
Toward Touhy Avenue West
Use the right lane.
17
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
325 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Touhy Avenue
18
Turn slight right
339 ft
·
9 sec
19
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
South Des Plaines River Road
20
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Henry Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Henry Avenue
Trip Plan
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 95.7 miles from Arthur, IL, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.8 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 80 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.7 miles or 1h 52m 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
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 Arthur, 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 Arthur, IL
This is one driving day of about 191.4 miles and 3h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Arthur, 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 136.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 95.7 mi from Arthur, IL · 1h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
96 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 95.7 miles from Arthur, 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 136.8 miles.
Arriving in Des Plaines, IL
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.92 one way
$59.85 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
67 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $32.85 | $65.71 |
| premium | $4.89 | $36.83 | $73.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.26 | $84.52 |
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
$30
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.4 | 0 | $20.10 | $9.19 |
| Efficient EV | 47.9 | 0 | $16.75 | $7.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 76.6 | 0 | $26.80 | $12.25 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Destination
Des Plaines, IL
Morning in Des Plaines on Tuesday
Local time
11:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°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
9 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
3h 46m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Arthur, IL to Des Plaines, IL covers 191.4 miles and takes about 3h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, Tri-State Tollway, County Road 950 North. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 95.7 miles from Arthur, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.92 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 191.4 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 153.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 188.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Arthur, IL to Des Plaines, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Wisconsin along the way.
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