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Trip from Des Plaines, IL to Central City, IL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

5h 18m

Distance

280.9 mi

452 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

Good

6 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 5m ★
6 AM
5h 19m
8 AM
5h 45m
10 AM
5h 28m
12 PM
5h 25m
3 PM
5h 29m
5 PM
5h 44m
8 PM
5h 10m

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

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Central City, IL, IL

Central City, IL

Angela Chacón

Trip Overview

The drive from Des Plaines, IL to Central City, IL covers 280.9 miles and takes about 5h 18m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 57, Tri-State Tollway, Cicero Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 229.4 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.92 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

140.5 miles from Des Plaines, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 43m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 18m. Total distance: 280.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 5h 18m highway drive covering 280.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and Tri-State Tollway. The longest continuous stretch is about 229.4 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 29 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 229.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Des Plaines River Road.

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 18 significant decision points across 280.9 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 0.1 miles (South Des Plaines River Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

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

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Des Plaines River Road

Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
18.6 mi into trip | ~25m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
31.5 mi into trip | ~41m in

Take the exit toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th 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 12 B-A Toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th...
8
31.7 mi into trip | ~41m in

Keep slight left at fork toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Exit 12A Toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue
6
267.7 mi into trip | ~5h 1m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 57 229.4 mi 4h 7m
Tri-State Tollway 28.3 mi 35m
Cicero Avenue 4.9 mi 7m
County Road 180 E 4.4 mi 6m
Poplar 2.7 mi 3m
East Poplar Street 2.7 mi 3m
West Main Street 2.2 mi 2m
South Des Plaines River Road 1.8 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 57 — 229.4 mi, about 4h 7m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Henry Avenue

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Henry Avenue
2

Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road

1.8 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
Use the left lane.
3

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Toward I 294 South: Indiana
4

Merge onto I 294

11 mi · 14 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 294

0.9 mi · 1 min · Mile-Long Bridge
8

Continue on I 294

8.5 mi · 10 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 12 B-A Toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 12A Toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue Use the straight lane.
11

Turn straight onto IL 50; IL 83

4.9 mi · 7 min · Cicero Avenue
Use the left lane.
12

Turn left onto 167th Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · 167th Street
Use the left lane.
13

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 57 South: Kankakee, I-80
14

Merge onto I 57

188 mi · 3 hr 23 min · I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57

41 mi · 43 min · I 57
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
16

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
17

Keep slight right at fork

83 ft · 2 sec
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
18

Turn right onto US 50

2.2 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
19

Continue on US 50

2.7 mi · 3 min · East Poplar Street
20

Continue on US 50

2.7 mi · 3 min · Poplar
21

At end of road, turn left onto US 50; US 51

443 ft · 5 sec · North Mine Street
22

Continue on US 50; US 51

0.2 mi · 12 sec · N Mine St
23

Continue on US 50; US 51

0.6 mi · 54 sec · North Mine Street
24

Continue on US 51

4.4 mi · 6 min · County Road 180 E
25

Continue on US 51

0.2 mi · 22 sec · North Commercial Street
26

Turn left onto Hardin Street

269 ft · 11 sec · Hardin Street
27

Continue on East Hardin

0.1 mi · 31 sec · East Hardin
28

Turn right onto North Harrison Street

76 ft · 3 sec · North Harrison Street
29

Arrive at destination

North Harrison 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 140.5 miles from Des Plaines, IL, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 229.4 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 62 miles or 1h 18m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 140.5 miles or 2h 43m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 20m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Central City, 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 280.9 miles and 5h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 I 57 for about 229.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 140.5 mi from Des Plaines, IL · 2h 43m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Champaign, IL

140 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

Joliet, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rantoul, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 140.5 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 I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 229.4 miles.

Arriving in Central City, IL

The final approach into Central City, 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 Central City, IL.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

Capri Ristorante

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 20.1

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+16304554003

Visit website

Crossroads Cantina

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Gilman, Illinois

0.9 mi

Effingham Food Express

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Effingham, Illinois

0.9 mi

Top Coffee Stop

The Well

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Manteno, Illinois

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 60.2

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+17795295090

Visit website

Capri Ristorante

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 20.1

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+16304554003

Visit website

Crossroads Cantina

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 100.3

Gilman, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+18157075200

Visit website

Effingham Food Express

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 220.7

Effingham, Illinois

Visit website

Lucy's Kitchen

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 100.3

Gilman, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+18152657625

McDonald's

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv mile 220.7

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12173422605

Visit website

China Buffet Effingham

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 220.7

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12173423188

Visit website

Subway

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv mile 220.7

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+12173470701

Visit website

Arcade Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 120.4

Paxton, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12173793268

The Well

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 60.2

Manteno, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+17795295090

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 220.7

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 220.7

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 220.7

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 200.7

Mattoon, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 200.7

Mattoon, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 200.7

Mattoon, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

MY Garage Museum & Retail Store

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 220.7

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12175404277

Visit website

McAlister's Deli

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 220.7

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+12172407175

Visit website

Tk Grille

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 220.7

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 6–10 am

+12175407716

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 20.1

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

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

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...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour Free near mile 29.1
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$43.92 one way

$87.83 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 98 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $48.22 $96.43
premium $4.89 $54.06 $108.11
diesel $5.61 $62.02 $124.04

Estimated Tolls: $1.70

Tri-state Tollway (28.3 mi) $1.70

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

$44

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$71–$96

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 98.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

6 DC fast chargers · Coverage: good

ChargePoint Charging Station

Mattoon, Illinois

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Effingham, Illinois

Tesla

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Effingham, Illinois

Tesla

1 DCFC

Electrify America Charging Station

Effingham, Illinois

Electrify America

1 DCFC

Blink Charging Station

Mattoon, Illinois

Blink

1 DCFC

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Mattoon, Illinois

Other

1 DCFC

Tesla: 2 ChargePoint: 1 Electrify America: 1 Blink: 1 Other: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 84.3 1 $29.49 $13.48
Efficient EV 70.2 0 $24.58 $11.24
EV Truck/SUV 112.4 1 $39.33 $17.98

Gas CO2

98 kg

EV CO2

33 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 16, 2026

Origin

Des Plaines, IL

Evening in Des Plaines on Thursday

Local time

8:29 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Mostly Sunny

NNW 10 mph 6% chance Live forecast

Destination

Central City, IL

Evening in Central City on Thursday

Local time

8:29 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°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

3 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

5h 18m 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 Central City, IL covers 280.9 miles and takes about 5h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, Tri-State Tollway, Cicero Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 140.5 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 $43.92 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 280.9 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 0.1 miles (South Des Plaines River Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Des Plaines, IL to Central City, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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