Origin
Clifton, IL
Night in Clifton on Wednesday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clifton, IL to Des Plaines, IL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 51m
Distance
90.8 mi
146 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 43m
★
6 AM
1h 51m
8 AM
2h 8m
10 AM
1h 57m
12 PM
1h 55m
3 PM
1h 58m
5 PM
2h 7m
8 PM
1h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clifton, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Des Plaines, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 90.8-mile drive from Clifton, IL to Des Plaines, IL is a straightforward trip through the Midwest, easily completed in about 1 hour and 51 minutes. It's an ideal day trip, with an estimated fuel cost of $14, making it an economical choice. The route primarily utilizes major roadways, including I-57 and the Tri-State Tollway, suggesting a predominantly highway experience. With no designated stops, you have the flexibility to manage your journey at your own pace. This drive is a practical option for getting between these two Illinois locations without needing an overnight stay.
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
45.4 miles from Clifton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 57% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 51.9 miles on I-57, offering a consistent pace. The use of the Tri-State Tollway and South Des Plaines River Road indicates a transition from interstate speeds to potentially more varied road conditions as you approach your destination. This combination means periods of open highway cruising followed by segments that might require more attention to local traffic and road configurations.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 17 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 51.9 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
821 ft
599 ft
Total Climb
322 ft
Total Descent
356 ft
Highest Point
821 ft
~38.9 mi in
Elevation Range
222 ft
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 53.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 90.8 miles you will encounter 12 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 53.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 53.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.8 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
53.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 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
53.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m 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
87.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m 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
88.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m 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
88.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m 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 Clifton, IL to Des Plaines, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Wisconsin along the way.
Wisconsin
53.1 mi in
|
~1h
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 51.9 mi | 57m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 32.5 mi | 40m |
| South Des Plaines River Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| East 2900 North Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Henry Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Touhy Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 51.9 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton, IL and Des Plaines, IL.
1
Start on South Main Street
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
South Main Street
2
Turn left onto East 2900 North Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East 2900 North Road
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I-57 North: Kankakee
4
Merge onto I 57
52 mi
·
57 min
·
I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
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.
6
Keep slight right at fork
1.8 mi
·
3 min
Exit 349
Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Merge onto I 294
21 mi
·
25 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward Touhy Avenue West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 42B
Toward Touhy Avenue West
Use the right lane.
13
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
325 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Touhy Avenue
14
Turn slight right
339 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 destination
Henry Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 1 hour and 51-minute duration, this drive is best tackled in one go, offering flexibility for departure times. Starting early can help you avoid any potential congestion, especially as you get closer to the Des Plaines area. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest uninterrupted stretch is over 50 miles on I-57, and plan your refueling accordingly. With a low estimated fuel cost of $14, this trip is budget-friendly, so focus on enjoying the drive rather than worrying about frequent stops.
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 45.4 miles from Clifton, IL, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.9 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 20 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.4 miles or 51m 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 27m
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 Clifton, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Clifton, IL
This is one driving day of about 90.8 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Clifton, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 51.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 45.4 mi from Clifton, IL · 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
45 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 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 45.4 miles from Clifton, 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
$14.20 one way
$28.39 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
32 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $15.59 | $31.17 |
| premium | $4.89 | $17.47 | $34.95 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.05 | $40.09 |
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
$14
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.2 | 0 | $9.53 | $4.36 |
| Efficient EV | 22.7 | 0 | $7.94 | $3.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 36.3 | 0 | $12.71 | $5.81 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Destination
Des Plaines, IL
Night in Des Plaines on Wednesday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Cloudy
WSW 15 mph
7% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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
7 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 51m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Clifton, IL to Des Plaines, IL covers 90.8 miles and takes about 1h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, Tri-State Tollway, South Des Plaines River Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 45.4 miles from Clifton, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.20 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 90.8 miles you will encounter 12 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 53.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 53.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Clifton, IL to Des Plaines, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Wisconsin along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 599 ft to 821 ft elevation with about 322 ft of total climbing.
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