Trip from Des Plaines, IL to Avon, IL

Data updated 3 hours ago

Drive Time

4h 14m

Distance

217.4 mi

350 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

4h 1m ★

6 AM

4h 14m

8 AM

4h 40m

10 AM

4h 23m

12 PM

4h 21m

3 PM

4h 25m

5 PM

4h 39m

8 PM

4h 6m

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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city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Des Plaines, IL

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Avon, IL

Diana ✨

Trip Overview

The drive from Des Plaines, IL to Avon, IL covers 217.4 miles and takes about 4h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, Chicago-Kansas City Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 95.3 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.99 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

108.7 miles from Des Plaines, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a 4h 14m drive with frequent turns across 217.4 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 95.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.2 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 217.4 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 11.2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

11.2 mi into trip | ~16m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Take the exit onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

12.2 mi into trip | ~18m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

12.8 mi into trip | ~19m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 31A Toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora

14.1 mi into trip | ~21m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 138 Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)

39.1 mi into trip | ~51m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward I 88 Toll West, IL 47: DeKalb

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 88 Toll West, IL 47: DeKalb

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Des Plaines, IL and Avon, IL, road signs point toward Indiana and 22Nd Street (Cermak Road).

Indiana

11.2 mi in | ~16m | via I 294

22Nd Street (Cermak Road)

14.1 mi in | ~21m | via I 88; IL 110

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway	95.3 mi	1h 45m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway	38.9 mi	41m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway	36.7 mi	39m
IL 110	12.2 mi	14m
Tri-State Tollway	10.5 mi	14m
South Linwood Road	10.1 mi	14m
South Commercial Drive	9.6 mi	15m
South Des Plaines River Road	1.8 mi	3m

Longest stretch: Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway — 95.3 mi, about 1h 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Henry Avenue

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Henry Avenue

Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road

1.8 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 55 sec

Toward I 294 South: Indiana

Merge onto I 294

8.9 mi · 11 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto I 294

1.0 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway

Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Tri-State Tollway

Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 294

0.4 mi · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway

Exit 15A Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 49 sec

Exit 31A Toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 88; IL 110

0.8 mi · 59 sec · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110

25 mi · 30 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Exit 138 Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road) Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110

69 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Toward I 88 Toll West, IL 47: DeKalb Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 88; IL 110

1.1 mi · 1 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway

Continue on I 88; IL 110

38 mi · 40 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway

Exit 41

Continue on I 88; IL 92; IL 110

5.4 mi · 5 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

Take the exit onto IL 110

7.1 mi · 8 min · IL 110

Toward I 80: Peoria

Keep slight left at fork onto IL 110

31 mi · 33 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

Take the exit onto IL 110

5.0 mi · 6 min · IL 110

Exit 46A Toward US 34 West: Monmouth

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 50 sec

Toward IL 41, IL 164

Keep slight left at fork

104 ft · 2 sec

Turn left onto IL 41

0.5 mi · 57 sec · West Main Street

Turn right onto IL 41

10 mi · 14 min · South Linwood Road

Continue on IL 41

0.3 mi · 32 sec · South Western Avenue

Turn straight onto IL 41

9.6 mi · 15 min · South Commercial Drive

Turn left onto East Wood Street

37 ft · 1 sec · East Wood Street

Arrive at destination

East Wood Street

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 108.7 miles from Des Plaines, IL, or about 2h 6m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.3 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 80 miles or 1h 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 108.7 miles or 2h 6m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 21m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Avon, 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 217.4 miles and 4h 14m.

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.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 95.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 108.7 mi from Des Plaines, IL · 2h 6m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rockford, IL

109 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

Rockford, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rockford, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 108.7 miles from Des Plaines, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 95.3 miles.

Arriving in Avon, IL

The final approach into Avon, 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 Avon, 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

$33.99 one way

$67.98 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 76 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$37.32	$74.63
premium	$4.89	$41.84	$83.67
diesel	$5.61	$48.00	$96.00

Estimated Tolls: $6.35

Reagan Memorial Tollway (95.3 mi) $5.72

Tri-state Tollway (10.5 mi) $0.63

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

$34

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 76.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	65.2	0	$22.83	$10.44
Efficient EV	54.4	0	$19.02	$8.70
EV Truck/SUV	87	1	$30.44	$13.91

Gas CO2

76 kg

EV CO2

25 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Des Plaines, IL

Night in Des Plaines on Tuesday

Local time

11:22 PM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Avon, IL

Night in Avon on Tuesday

Local time

11:22 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°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

30 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

4h 14m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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 Avon, IL covers 217.4 miles and takes about 4h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 108.7 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 $33.99 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

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.