Origin
Braidwood, IL
Night in Braidwood on Wednesday
Local time
11:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Braidwood, IL to Des Plaines, IL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 10m
Distance
63.9 mi
103 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 5m
★
6 AM
1h 11m
8 AM
1h 22m
10 AM
1h 15m
12 PM
1h 14m
3 PM
1h 15m
5 PM
1h 22m
8 PM
1h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Braidwood, IL
Engin Akyurt
Des Plaines, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Braidwood to Des Plaines, expect a straightforward 63.9-mile journey across the Illinois landscape. Clocking in at approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes, this trek is easily manageable as a single-day outing. You will spend about $9 on fuel to complete the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for commuters or visitors. Because the drive is relatively short, there is no need for an overnight stay, allowing you to reach your destination quickly. Both your starting point and destination sit within the Midwest, keeping the regional culture consistent throughout your transit. Ultimately, this route serves as a practical connection between these two Illinois locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
32 miles from Braidwood, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 35m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise on this route. You will navigate through North Washington Street before transitioning to I-294 North to complete the majority of the trip. While the highway share is 0% for the initial local portion, the road changes character as you move toward the interstate. Since the longest stretch on North Washington Street is 0 miles, you should be prepared for frequent turns and active steering throughout the journey. This combination of local streets and highway driving requires your full attention behind the wheel.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Washington Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Braidwood, IL to Des Plaines, IL is easy. At 1h 10m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Braidwood, IL to Des Plaines, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Washington Street | — | — |
| I 294 | — | — |
| I 294 North | — | — |
| Tri-State Tollway | — | — |
| Touhy Avenue | — | — |
| Touhy Avenue West | — | — |
| East Touhy Avenue | — | — |
| South Des Plaines River Road | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
North Washington Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Braidwood, IL and Des Plaines, IL.
1
Start on the route
200 ft
·
20 sec
·
the route
2
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Washington Street
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
North Washington Street
3
Take the ramp straight
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
4
Merge slight right
38 mi
·
45 min
5
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
6
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
I 294 North: Wisconsin
7
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
8
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
9
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Touhy Avenue
10
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Touhy Avenue
11
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Touhy Avenue West
12
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Touhy Avenue West
13
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
325 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Touhy Avenue
14
Turn slight right
338 ft
·
9 sec
15
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
South Des Plaines River Road
16
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Henry Avenue
17
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this 1 hour and 10 minute drive is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to check traffic conditions before you head out, as the reliance on I-294 can lead to congestion depending on the hour. You will not need to plan for any stops given the short duration, but having your $9 fuel budget ready ensures you are prepared for the road ahead. Because this route involves navigating local roads before reaching the highway, keep a close eye on your GPS to manage the turns effectively. Use the simplicity of this trip to your advantage by planning your arrival to coincide with your specific needs in Des Plaines.
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 32 miles from Braidwood, IL, or about 35m into the drive.
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 14 miles or 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32 miles or 35m 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
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 Braidwood, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Braidwood, IL
This is one driving day of about 63.9 miles and 1h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Braidwood, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 32 mi from Braidwood, IL · 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 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 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 32 miles from Braidwood, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.99 one way
$19.98 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $10.97 | $21.94 |
| premium | $4.89 | $12.30 | $24.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.11 | $28.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.2 | 0 | $6.71 | $3.07 |
| Efficient EV | 16 | 0 | $5.59 | $2.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.6 | 0 | $8.95 | $4.09 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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
Night in Des Plaines on Wednesday
Local time
11:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 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
1h 10m 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 Braidwood, IL to Des Plaines, IL covers 63.9 miles and takes about 1h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Washington Street, I 294, I 294 North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32 miles from Braidwood, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.99 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.
The drive from Braidwood, IL to Des Plaines, IL is easy. At 1h 10m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Braidwood, IL to Des Plaines, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Braidwood, IL to Des Plaines, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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