Origin
Des Plaines, IL
Morning in Des Plaines on Wednesday
Local time
6:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Des Plaines, IL to Antioch, IL
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
53m
Distance
40.6 mi
65 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 49m
★
6 AM
0h 53m
8 AM
1h 2m
10 AM
0h 56m
12 PM
0h 55m
3 PM
0h 57m
5 PM
1h 1m
8 PM
0h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Des Plaines, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Antioch, IL
Mike Tyurin
Trip Overview
This 40.6-mile drive from Des Plaines, IL, to Antioch, IL, is a straightforward local journey that can easily be completed in about 53 minutes. Designed as a one-day trip, you'll navigate primarily using the Tri-State Tollway, Rosecrans Road, and South Des Plaines River Road. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $6, this route is budget-friendly for a quick excursion within the Midwest region. Expect a route that involves several turns rather than long stretches of highway driving. It's a practical option for a short, focused trip.
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
20.3 miles from Des Plaines, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 26m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll be making frequent adjustments rather than cruising on a single highway. While it does include a significant stretch of 29.7 miles on the Tri-State Tollway, the overall profile suggests a dynamic driving experience with numerous changes in direction. With 0% highway share, you won't encounter long stretches of high-speed interstate travel, making it feel more like a connected series of local roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 9 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 29.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near IL 58 / East Golf Road.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 53m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (IL 58 / East Golf Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
IL 58 / East Golf Road
Turn right onto IL 58 / East Golf Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
2.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 294 North Toll: Wisconsin
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 294 North Toll: Wisconsin
5
3.3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Merge onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
33.1 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Take the exit toward IL 173: Rosecrans Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 2
Toward IL 173: Rosecrans Road
5
33.4 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
IL 173 / Rosecrans Road
At end of road, turn left onto IL 173 / Rosecrans Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-State Tollway | 29.7 mi | 34m |
| Rosecrans Road | 6.8 mi | 10m |
| South Des Plaines River Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| East Golf Road | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Henry Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Tri-State Tollway
— 29.7 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines, IL and Antioch, IL.
1
Start on Henry Avenue
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
Henry Avenue
2
Turn left onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South Des Plaines River Road
3
Turn right onto IL 58
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
East Golf Road
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 294 North Toll: Wisconsin
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 294
30 mi
·
34 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 2
Toward IL 173: Rosecrans Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
At end of road, turn left onto IL 173
6.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Rosecrans Road
Use the left lane.
8
Turn right onto IL 83
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
Main Street
Use the right lane.
9
Arrive at destination
IL 83
Trip Plan
Given its short 53-minute duration and 40.6-mile length, this trip offers great flexibility for when you depart. You won't need to worry about splitting the journey, and the $6 fuel cost is minimal. Since it's a turn-heavy route, pay close attention to your navigation, especially on Rosecrans Road and South Des Plaines River Road, to ensure you don't miss any crucial turns. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid potential rush hour traffic in the Des Plaines area.
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 20.3 miles from Des Plaines, IL, or about 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.7 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 40.6 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 20.3 miles or 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Antioch, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Des Plaines, 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 Des Plaines, IL
This is one driving day of about 40.6 miles and 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Des Plaines, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Tri-State Tollway for about 29.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.3 mi from Des Plaines, IL · 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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 40.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.3 miles from Des Plaines, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Antioch, IL
The final approach into Antioch, 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 Antioch, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.35 one way
$12.69 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $6.97 | $13.94 |
| premium | $4.89 | $7.81 | $15.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.96 | $17.93 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.78
Tri-state Tollway
(29.7 mi)
$1.78
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
$6
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.26 | $1.95 |
| Efficient EV | 10.2 | 0 | $3.55 | $1.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.2 | 0 | $5.68 | $2.60 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 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.
Destination
Antioch, IL
Morning in Antioch on Wednesday
Local time
6:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°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
19 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
53m 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 Des Plaines, IL to Antioch, IL covers 40.6 miles and takes about 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, Rosecrans Road, 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 20.3 miles from Des Plaines, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.35 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 is a straightforward 53m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (IL 58 / East Golf Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Des Plaines, IL to Antioch, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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