Bourbonnais, IL to Des Plaines, IL is 72.8 miles and takes about 1h 34m via Tri-State Tollway/I 57/North Convent Street, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, single-day trip connecting two points within Illinois, traveling through the Midwest region. Expect a mixed drive that is mostly highway, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a relatively quick transit. This route is ideal for a day trip or as part of a larger journey through the state, offering a practical way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.4 miles from Bourbonnais, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 46m into the drive
.
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).
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 34m. Total distance: 72.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (42%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This drive features a mixed profile, with 42% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 32.5 miles on the Tri-State Tollway, indicating a significant portion of the drive will be at higher speeds. The route begins on local roads like North Convent Street before merging onto major interstates such as I-57 and the Tri-State Tollway. Expect a blend of urban and suburban driving environments as you progress towards Des Plaines, with the character shifting from more localized streets to consistent tollway travel.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Tri-State Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 32.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 35.1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.8 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 35.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
35.1 mi into trip|~44m 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
35.4 mi into trip|~44m 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
69.7 mi into trip|~1h 28m 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
70.4 mi into trip|~1h 30m 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
70.5 mi into trip|~1h 30m 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 Bourbonnais, IL to Des Plaines, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Wisconsin along the way.
Wisconsin
35.1 mi in|~44m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Tri-State Tollway
32.5 mi
40m
I 57
29.9 mi
34m
North Convent Street
3.4 mi
5m
South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi
3m
Bourbonnais Parkway
0.6 mi
1m
Olde Oak Drive
0.4 mi
1m
East Marsile Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Main Street Northwest
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Tri-State Tollway
— 32.5 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bourbonnais, IL and Des Plaines, IL.
1
Start on Olde Oak Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·Olde Oak Drive
2
At end of road, turn right onto IL 102
0.2 mi·25 sec·Main Street Northwest
3
Turn left onto East Marsile Street
0.3 mi·31 sec·East Marsile Street
4
Continue on US 45; US 52
3.4 mi·5 min·North Convent Street
5
Turn right onto Bourbonnais Parkway
0.6 mi·1 min·Bourbonnais Parkway
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I-57 North: Chicago
7
Merge onto I 57
30 mi·34 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 349-350Toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, WisconsinUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
1.8 mi·3 min
Exit 349Toward I 294 Toll North: WisconsinUse the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Merge onto I 294
21 mi·25 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-BToward Touhy AvenueUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy Avenue
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Touhy Avenue WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 42BToward Touhy Avenue WestUse 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 short duration of 1 hour and 34 minutes, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can easily depart at your convenience, perhaps after an early breakfast in Bourbonnais to arrive in Des Plaines by mid-morning. With only 72.8 miles and a fuel cost estimated at $11, you won't need to worry excessively about frequent fuel stops. However, it's always wise to ensure you have at least half a tank before starting, especially since a significant portion is on the tollway where services might be spaced out. Keep an eye out for the transition from I-57 to the Tri-State Tollway as this is where the driving environment changes most noticeably.
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 36.4 miles from Bourbonnais, IL, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.5 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 16 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.4 miles or 46m 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 18m
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 Bourbonnais, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bourbonnais, IL
This is one driving day of about 72.8 miles and 1h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Bourbonnais, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Tri-State Tollway for about 32.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.4 mi from Bourbonnais, IL
· 46m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 37.6
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 64% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.8
0
$7.64
$3.49
Efficient EV
18.2
0
$6.37
$2.91
EV Truck/SUV
29.1
0
$10.19
$4.66
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (64% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Bourbonnais, IL
Late night
in Bourbonnais on Saturday
Local time
1:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Des Plaines, IL
Late night
in Des Plaines on Saturday
Local time
1:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°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
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 34m 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 Bourbonnais, IL to Des Plaines, IL covers 72.8 miles and takes about 1h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, I 57, North Convent Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.4 miles from Bourbonnais, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.38 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.8 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 35.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Bourbonnais, IL to Des Plaines, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Wisconsin along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
