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Trip from Dale, IL to Des Plaines, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 21m

Distance

331.3 mi

533 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$52

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

26 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
6h 9m ★
6 AM
6h 21m
8 AM
6h 46m
10 AM
6h 30m
12 PM
6h 27m
3 PM
6h 31m
5 PM
6h 45m
8 PM
6h 14m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Dale, IL, IL

Dale, IL

Zülfü Demir📸

city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Des Plaines, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Dale, IL to Des Plaines, IL covers 331.3 miles and takes about 6h 21m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 57, Ken Gray Expressway, Tri-State Tollway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 185.5 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $51.79 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

165.7 miles from Dale, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 11m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 57 185.5 mi 3h 21m
Ken Gray Expressway 67.5 mi 1h 12m
Tri-State Tollway 32.5 mi 40m
Market Street 15.4 mi 22m
I 64 14.4 mi 15m
County Road 1165 East 6.8 mi 10m
North Brehm Lane 2.2 mi 3m
South Des Plaines River Road 1.7 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 57 — 185.5 mi, about 3h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dale, IL and Des Plaines, IL.

1

Start on IL 142

6.8 mi · 10 min · County Road 1165 East
2

Continue on IL 142

0.6 mi · 58 sec · South Jackson Street
3

Turn left onto IL 142

15 mi · 22 min · Market Street
4

Turn right onto North Main Street

0.4 mi · 45 sec · North Main Street
5

Continue on North Brehm Lane

2.2 mi · 3 min · North Brehm Lane
6

Continue on County Highway 17

0.4 mi · 48 sec · County Highway 17
7

Turn left

0.5 mi · 1 min
8

Merge onto I 64

14 mi · 15 min · I 64
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 57

67 mi · 1 hr 12 min · Ken Gray Expressway
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57

185 mi · 3 hr 21 min · I 57
Toward I 57 North: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

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.
12

Keep slight right at fork

1.8 mi · 3 min
Exit 349 Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13

Merge onto I 294

21 mi · 25 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

12 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue Use the slight right lane.
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue
17

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward Touhy Avenue West Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Exit 42B Toward Touhy Avenue West Use the right lane.
19

Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue

325 ft · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
20

Turn slight right

339 ft · 9 sec
21

Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road

1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
22

Turn left onto Henry Avenue

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
23

Arrive at destination

Henry Avenue

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 165.7 miles from Dale, IL, or about 3h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 185.5 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 73 miles or 1h 31m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 165.7 miles or 3h 11m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 6m

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 Dale, 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 Dale, IL

This is one driving day of about 331.3 miles and 6h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Dale, 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 185.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Champaign, IL

166 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

Odin, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 73 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Champaign, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 165.7 miles from Dale, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 185.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Taj Indian Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bradley, Illinois

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 260.3

Hours: 10:30 am–11 pm

+17797015344

Yolks & Berries

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bradley, Illinois

1.2 mi

Pepe's Mexican Restaurants - Matteson

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Matteson, Illinois

1.9 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Bonny's Bistro

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Matteson, Illinois

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 284

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+17738964817

Visit website

Taj Indian Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 260.3

Bradley, Illinois

Hours: 10:30 am–11 pm

+17797015344

Yolks & Berries

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 260.3

Bradley, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18159351501

Visit website

Pepe's Mexican Restaurants - Matteson

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 284

Matteson, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–11 pm

+17087484400

Visit website

Hidden Manna Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 284

Matteson, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+17082485571

Visit website

Nariman Restaurants

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 307.7

Bridgeview, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+17089075832

Visit website

Capri Ristorante

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately mile 307.7

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+16304554003

Visit website

Topaz Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour Expensive mile 307.7

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16306541616

Visit website

Taco Bell

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 307.7

Countryside, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+17083545535

Visit website

Bonny's Bistro

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 284

Matteson, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+17738964817

Visit website

Solyne Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 284

Frankfort, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+18477444958

Visit website

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 307.7

Chicago Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+17085813915

Visit website

Caffe Milan

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 284

Frankfort, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm

+18154697124

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 108.2 and 329 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
108.2 mi into trip | ~2h 9m in | I 57

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 North: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 57 North: Chicago
8
293.6 mi into trip | ~5h 30m 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
294 mi into trip | ~5h 30m 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
328.3 mi into trip | ~6h 14m 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
8
329 mi into trip | ~6h 16m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$51.79 one way

$103.59 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 116 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $56.87 $113.74
premium $4.89 $63.76 $127.51
diesel $5.61 $73.15 $146.29

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

$52

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$79–$104

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 115.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

26 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Subway - Tesla Supercharger

Salem, IL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Holiday Inn - Tesla Supercharger

Effingham, IL

Tesla

12 DCFC

County Market - Tesla Supercharger

Champaign, IL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Mach 1 - Tesla Supercharger

Mt. Vernon, IL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Holiday Inn Mt. Vernon - Tesla Supercharger

Mt. Vernon, IL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Meijer - Tesla Supercharger

Champaign, IL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Jack Flash - Effingham - Tesla Supercharger

Effingham, IL

Tesla

6 DCFC

Meijer 146 (Champaign, IL)

Champaign, IL

Electrify America

6 DCFC

Tesla: 7 ChargePoint Network: 4 Electrify America: 3 RED_E: 3 eVgo Network: 2 UNIVERSAL: 2 Blink Network: 2 Non-Networked: 1 FORD_CHARGE: 1 CIRCLE_K: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 99.4 1 $34.79 $15.90
Efficient EV 82.8 0 $28.99 $13.25
EV Truck/SUV 132.5 1 $46.38 $21.20

Gas CO2

116 kg

EV CO2

39 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 15, 2026

Origin

Dale, IL

Afternoon in Dale on Saturday

Local time

12:41 PM

CDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Des Plaines, IL

Afternoon in Des Plaines on Saturday

Local time

12:41 PM

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

5 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

6h 21m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Pullman National Historical Park

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 ~17 min detour Free near mile 297.1
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a 6h 21m highway drive covering 331.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 185.5 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 23 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 185.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 108.2 miles in near I 57.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 331.3 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 108.2 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 293.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 294 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Dale, IL to Des Plaines, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Wisconsin along the way.

Wisconsin

293.6 mi in | ~5h 30m

About the Cities

Arriving in Des Plaines, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1852

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).

Top landmarks

  • • McDonald's #1 Store Museum — former McDonald's spot

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 21m. Total distance: 331.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 21m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Dale, IL to Des Plaines, IL covers 331.3 miles and takes about 6h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 57, Ken Gray Expressway, Tri-State Tollway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 165.7 miles from Dale, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $51.79 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 331.3 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 108.2 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 293.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 294 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

On the drive from Dale, IL to Des Plaines, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Wisconsin along the way.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.

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.

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