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Trip from Des Plaines, IL to Marion, IL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

5h 45m

Distance

274.9 mi

442 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

EV Charging

Good

5 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 33m ★
6 AM
5h 46m
8 AM
6h 12m
10 AM
5h 55m
12 PM
5h 52m
3 PM
5h 56m
5 PM
6h 11m
8 PM
5h 38m

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 Marion, IL, IL

Marion, IL

Stéphane Tendon

Trip Overview

This 274.9-mile drive from Des Plaines, IL, to Marion, IL, is designed for a single day, estimated to take about 5 hours and 45 minutes. You'll spend a good portion of your time on major highways, with 63% of the journey on interstates and tollways like the Tri-State Tollway and I-57. The fuel cost is projected to be around $43, making it an economical trip within the Midwest. This route is a straightforward, highway-focused option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.

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

137.5 miles from Des Plaines, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 45m. Total distance: 274.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 5-hour, 45-minute journey. With 63% of the drive on major roads like I-57 and the Tri-State Tollway, it’s built for covering distance. You'll encounter one significant stretch of 156.5 miles on I-57, meaning fewer turns and more consistent driving. While it's primarily an interstate experience, the change in scenery as you move south through Illinois will be noticeable, shifting from suburban to more rural landscapes.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 34 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 156.5 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 15 significant decision points across 274.9 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 2.3 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 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.
5
2.3 mi into trip | ~4m 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.
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

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 57 156.5 mi 2h 49m
Tri-State Tollway 28.3 mi 35m
North 1250th Street 13.3 mi 19m
County Road 1150 12.3 mi 16m
South Van Buren Street 11 mi 15m
Route 130 10 mi 14m
County Road 1100 East 6.7 mi 9m
Illinois Route 16 6 mi 8m
Longest stretch: I 57 — 156.5 mi, about 2h 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

157 mi · 2 hr 49 min · I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 47 sec
Exit 190A Toward IL 16 East: Charleston
16

Turn straight onto IL 16

0.7 mi · 1 min · Charleston Avenue East
17

Continue on IL 16

6.0 mi · 8 min · Illinois Route 16
18

Continue on IL 16

1.8 mi · 2 min · West Lincoln Avenue
19

Turn right onto IL 130

1.6 mi · 2 min · 18th Street
20

Continue on IL 130

0.8 mi · 1 min · Illinois Route 130
21

Continue on IL 130

10.0 mi · 14 min · Route 130
22

Continue on IL 130

2.0 mi · 2 min · County Road 1825 East
23

Continue on IL 130

0.8 mi · 1 min · County Road 1775 E
24

Continue on IL 130

0.4 mi · 32 sec · North Haughton Highway
25

Continue on IL 130

1.3 mi · 1 min · 1700E
26

Continue on IL 130

4.0 mi · 5 min · North Haughton Highway
27

Continue on IL 130

2.1 mi · 3 min · County Road 1700E
28

Continue on IL 130

13 mi · 19 min · North 1250th Street
29

Turn left onto IL 130

11 mi · 15 min · South Van Buren Street
30

Continue on IL 130

6.7 mi · 9 min · County Road 1100 East
31

Continue on IL 130

2.5 mi · 4 min · North West Street
32

Continue on IL 130

12 mi · 16 min · County Road 1150
Use the straight lane.
33

Turn right onto 2050N

2.9 mi · 11 min · 2050N
34

Arrive at destination

2050N

Trip Plan

Given the 5-hour, 45-minute duration, this route is best tackled in one day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a comfortable pace. You'll encounter one designated stop, but feel free to take additional breaks as needed, especially during the longest 156.5-mile stretch on I-57. Keep an eye on your fuel, with an estimated cost of $43 for the trip. A practical tip: since much of this drive is on I-57, ensure your vehicle is in good condition for sustained highway speeds.

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 137.5 miles from Des Plaines, IL, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 156.5 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 60 miles or 1h 16m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 137.5 miles or 2h 40m 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 27m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marion, 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 274.9 miles and 5h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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 156.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 137.5 mi from Des Plaines, IL · 2h 40m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Champaign, IL

137 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.

Popular next leg

Champaign, IL to Marion, IL

129.7 mi · 3h

Pacing Suggestions

Orland Park, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rantoul, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 137.5 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 156.5 miles.

Arriving in Marion, IL

The final approach into Marion, 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 Marion, 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.

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 ~23 min detour Free near mile 28.4
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

$42.98 one way

$85.95 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 96 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $47.19 $94.38
premium $4.89 $52.90 $105.80
diesel $5.61 $60.69 $121.39

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

$43

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 96.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

5 DC fast chargers · Coverage: good

Blink Charging Station

Mattoon, Illinois

Blink

1 DCFC

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Mattoon, Illinois

Other

1 DCFC

Tesla Destination Charger

Champaign, Illinois

Tesla Destination

1 DCFC

Hampton Inn Charging Station

Champaign, Illinois

Other

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Champaign, Illinois

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Other: 2 Blink: 1 Tesla Destination: 1 ChargePoint: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 82.5 1 $28.86 $13.20
Efficient EV 68.7 0 $24.05 $11.00
EV Truck/SUV 110 1 $38.49 $17.59

Gas CO2

96 kg

EV CO2

32 kg (67% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Des Plaines, IL

Evening in Des Plaines on Thursday

Local time

5:44 PM

CDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Marion, IL

Evening in Marion on Thursday

Local time

5:44 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°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

4 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 45m 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 Marion, IL covers 274.9 miles and takes about 5h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, Tri-State Tollway, North 1250th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 137.5 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 $42.98 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 15 significant decision points across 274.9 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 2.3 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Des Plaines, IL to Marion, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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