Drive Time
3h 14m
Distance
202.8 mi
326 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
Photo: Tom Fisk
The drive from Clear Lake, IL to Des Plaines, IL covers 202.8 miles and takes about 3h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Dixon Street, Route 36, I 55 North for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.80 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
101.4 miles from Clear Lake, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 14m drive with frequent turns across 202.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 14m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Clear Lake, IL to Des Plaines, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Dixon Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Route 36 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 55 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 294 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 294 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Tri-State Tollway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Touhy Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Touhy Avenue West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Clear Lake, IL and Des Plaines, IL.
Start on West Houston Street
Turn right onto South Dixon Street
At the end of the road, turn left onto Old Route 36
Take the ramp right
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North: Chicago
Merge slight left
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
Turn slight right
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
Arrive at your 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 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.4 miles or 1h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Des Plaines, IL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Clear Lake, 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 Clear Lake, IL
This is one driving day of about 202.8 miles and 3h 14m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 101.4 mi from Clear Lake, IL · 1h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
101 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 101.4 miles from Clear Lake, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$30.80 one way
$61.61 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $33.96 | $67.91 |
| premium | $4.80 | $38.28 | $76.57 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $45.06 | $90.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.8 | 0 | $21.29 | $9.73 |
| Efficient EV | 50.7 | 0 | $17.75 | $8.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.1 | 1 | $28.39 | $12.98 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Clear Lake on Saturday
Local time
6:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Des Plaines on Saturday
Local time
6:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
53°F
Normal, IL
101 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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