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Trip from Des Plaines, IL to Downers Grove, IL

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

31m

Distance

20.5 mi

33 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$3

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 8 min
4 AM
0h 28m ★
6 AM
0h 31m
8 AM
0h 36m
10 AM
0h 33m
12 PM
0h 32m
3 PM
0h 33m
5 PM
0h 36m
8 PM
0h 29m

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

village in Downers Grove, Lisle, and York Townships, DuPage County, Illinois, United States

Downers Grove, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Des Plaines, IL to Downers Grove, IL covers 20.5 miles and takes about 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Tri-State Tollway, Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, South Des Plaines River Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 10.5 miles on Tri-State Tollway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $3.20 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

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

10.3 miles from Des Plaines, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 15m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a 31m drive with frequent turns across 20.5 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 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 10.5 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

682 ft 632 ft

Total Climb

62 ft

Total Descent

15 ft

Highest Point

682 ft

~11.7 mi in

Elevation Range

50 ft

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 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 20.5 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 11 key points

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

7
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
8
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
8
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
8
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)
7
18.5 mi into trip | ~26m in

Take the exit toward Highland Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 134 Toward Highland Avenue

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 Downers Grove, 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
Tri-State Tollway 10.5 mi 14m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway 5.2 mi 6m
South Des Plaines River Road 1.8 mi 3m
Highland Avenue 1.3 mi 2m
Main Street 0.5 mi 1m
Henry Avenue 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Tri-State Tollway — 10.5 mi, about 14m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines, IL and Downers Grove, 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

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

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.
6

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.
7

Continue on I 294

0.4 mi · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway
Exit 15A Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 49 sec
Exit 31A Toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto I 88; IL 110

0.8 mi · 59 sec · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110

4.4 mi · 5 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 138 Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road) Use the slight right lane.
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Exit 134 Toward Highland Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Turn left onto Highland Avenue

1.3 mi · 2 min · Highland Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
13

Continue on Main Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Main Street
14

Arrive at destination

Main Street

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 10.3 miles from Des Plaines, IL, or about 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.5 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 20.5 miles or 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 10.3 miles or 15m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 25m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Downers Grove, 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 20.5 miles and 31m.

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 10.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 10.3 mi from Des Plaines, IL · 15m into the drive

city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Berwyn, IL

10 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

Wheaton, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Oak Park, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 10.3 miles from Des Plaines, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Downers Grove, IL

The final approach into Downers Grove, 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 Downers Grove, 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

$3.20 one way

$6.41 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 7 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $3.52 $7.04
premium $4.89 $3.95 $7.89
diesel $5.61 $4.53 $9.05

Estimated Tolls: $0.94

Tri-state Tollway (10.5 mi) $0.63
Reagan Memorial Tollway (5.2 mi) $0.31

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

$3

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$29–$54

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 7.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 6.1 0 $2.15 $0.98
Efficient EV 5.1 0 $1.79 $0.82
EV Truck/SUV 8.2 0 $2.87 $1.31

Gas CO2

7 kg

EV CO2

2 kg (71% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Des Plaines, IL

Morning in Des Plaines on Wednesday

Local time

7:14 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Mostly Cloudy

WSW 15 mph 7% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Destination

Downers Grove, IL

Morning in Downers Grove on Wednesday

Local time

7:14 AM

CDT

Current temp

47°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

15 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

31m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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 Downers Grove, IL covers 20.5 miles and takes about 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, 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 10.3 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 $3.20 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 demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 20.5 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 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.
Between Des Plaines, IL and Downers Grove, IL, road signs point toward Indiana and 22Nd Street (Cermak Road).
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 632 ft to 682 ft elevation with about 62 ft of total climbing.

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