Origin
Des Plaines, IL
Late night in Des Plaines on Thursday
Local time
12:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Des Plaines, IL to Calumet, IL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
48m
Distance
31.4 mi
51 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 45m
★
6 AM
0h 49m
8 AM
0h 57m
10 AM
0h 51m
12 PM
0h 51m
3 PM
0h 52m
5 PM
0h 56m
8 PM
0h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Des Plaines, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Calumet, IL
Claudia Solano
Trip Overview
The drive from Des Plaines, IL to Calumet, IL covers 31.4 miles and takes about 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Kennedy Expressway, Chicago Skyway, Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 8.1 miles on Kennedy Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $4.91 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
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
15.7 miles from Des Plaines, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 25m into the drive .
Drive Character
The drive from Des Plaines, IL to Calumet, IL covers 31.4 miles and takes about 48m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Kennedy Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 8.1 miles.
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 0.8 miles in near East Oakton Street.
Route Complexity
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
This is a short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 31.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 48m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (East Oakton Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.9 miles (I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
East Oakton Street
Turn left onto East Oakton Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
20.9 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express
7
24.7 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Take the exit toward I 90 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 59A
Toward I 90 East
8
25.6 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
I 90 / Chicago Skyway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 / Chicago Skyway toward I 90 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 59A
Toward I 90 East
8
30.6 mi into trip
|
~46m in
Take the exit toward Anthony Avenue, 92nd Street
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 105
Toward Anthony Avenue, 92nd Street
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Kennedy Expressway | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| Chicago Skyway | 5 mi | 7m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) | 3.8 mi | 5m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| North Caldwell Avenue | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| West Touhy Avenue | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Edens Expressway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Busse Highway | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Kennedy Expressway
— 8.1 mi, about 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines, IL and Calumet, IL.
1
Start on Henry Avenue
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Henry Avenue
2
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Des Plaines River Road
3
Turn left onto East Oakton Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Oakton Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto Busse Highway
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Busse Highway
Use the left lane.
5
Turn straight onto West Touhy Avenue
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West Touhy Avenue
6
Turn right onto US 14
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
North Caldwell Avenue
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 94 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 94
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Edens Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Continue on I 90; I 94
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 59A
Toward I 90 East
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto I 90; I 94
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Dan Ryan Expressway (Local)
Use the slight left lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Chicago Skyway
Exit 59A
Toward I 90 East
Use the slight left lane.
15
Turn straight onto I 90
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Chicago Skyway
16
Merge onto I 90
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Chicago Skyway
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 105
Toward Anthony Avenue, 92nd Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto South Anthony Avenue
361 ft
·
10 sec
·
South Anthony Avenue
19
Turn left onto East 92nd Street
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
East 92nd Street
20
Turn left onto South Commercial Avenue
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
South Commercial Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
South Commercial Avenue
Trip Plan
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 15.7 miles from Des Plaines, IL, or about 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 8.1 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 31 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.7 miles or 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Calumet, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Des Plaines, IL.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Des Plaines, IL
This is one driving day of about 31.4 miles and 48m.
At 31.4 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on Kennedy Expressway for about 8.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.7 mi from Des Plaines, IL · 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 15.7 miles from Des Plaines, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Calumet, IL
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Calumet, IL if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.91 one way
$9.82 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $5.39 | $10.78 |
| premium | $4.89 | $6.04 | $12.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.93 | $13.87 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.47
Chicago Skyway
$6.15
Chicago Skyway
(4.5 mi)
$0.32
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
$5
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.4 | 0 | $3.30 | $1.51 |
| Efficient EV | 7.9 | 0 | $2.75 | $1.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.6 | 0 | $4.40 | $2.01 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 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
Calumet, IL
Late night in Calumet on Thursday
Local time
12:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
48m 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 Calumet, IL covers 31.4 miles and takes about 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Kennedy Expressway, Chicago Skyway, Dan Ryan Expressway (Express). Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.7 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 $4.91 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 short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 31.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 48m.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (East Oakton Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.9 miles (I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Des Plaines, IL to Calumet, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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