Origin
Des Plaines, IL
Afternoon in Des Plaines on Sunday
Local time
3:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Des Plaines, IL to Momence, IL
Drive Time
1h 44m
Distance
75.7 mi
122 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 37m
★
6 AM
1h 45m
8 AM
2h 1m
10 AM
1h 50m
12 PM
1h 49m
3 PM
1h 51m
5 PM
2h 0m
8 PM
1h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Des Plaines, IL
Tom Fisk
Momence, IL
Mikkel Kvist
Trip Overview
The drive from Des Plaines, IL to Momence, IL covers 75.7 miles and takes about 1h 44m 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, Calumet Expressway, Dixie Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 40.3 miles on Tri-State Tollway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.50 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
37.8 miles from Des Plaines, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 44m drive with frequent turns across 75.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 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 40.3 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
715 ft
627 ft
Total Climb
86 ft
Total Descent
91 ft
Highest Point
715 ft
~12.6 mi in
Elevation Range
88 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 0.1 miles in near South Des Plaines River Road.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 75.7 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 38.1 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese 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.
6
38.1 mi into trip
|
~49m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
43.6 mi into trip
|
~56m in
Take the exit toward I 94 West, IL 394 South: Chicago, Danville
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.
Toward I 94 West, IL 394 South: Chicago, Danvil...
7
43.9 mi into trip
|
~57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward IL 394 South: Danville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward IL 394 South: Danville
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Des Plaines, IL to Momence, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Danville along the way.
Danville
43.6 mi in
|
~56m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-State Tollway | 40.3 mi | 50m |
| Calumet Expressway | 14.1 mi | 19m |
| Dixie Highway | 12 mi | 18m |
| County Road East 1241 North | 3.9 mi | 5m |
| South Des Plaines River Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Mile-Long Bridge | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East Taylor Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Tri-State Tollway
— 40.3 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines, IL and Momence, 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
15 mi
·
18 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 94 West, IL 394 South: Chicago, Danville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward IL 394 South: Danville
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto IL 394
14 mi
·
19 min
·
Calumet Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on IL 1
6.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Dixie Highway
14
Continue on IL 1
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
County Road East 1241 North
15
Turn right onto IL 1; IL 17
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Taylor Street
16
Turn left onto IL 1; IL 17
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
South Main Street
17
Turn right onto IL 1; IL 17
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Dixie Highway
18
Arrive at destination
IL 1; IL 17
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 37.8 miles from Des Plaines, IL, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.3 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 75.7 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.8 miles or 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Momence, 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 75.7 miles and 1h 44m.
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 40.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 37.8 mi from Des Plaines, IL · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 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 75.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 37.8 miles from Des Plaines, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Momence, IL
The final approach into Momence, 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 Momence, 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
$11.50 one way
$23.00 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $12.68 | $25.35 |
| premium | $4.80 | $14.29 | $28.58 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $16.82 | $33.64 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.43
Tri-state Tollway
(40.3 mi)
$2.43
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
$12
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.7 | 0 | $7.95 | $3.63 |
| Efficient EV | 18.9 | 0 | $6.62 | $3.03 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.3 | 0 | $10.60 | $4.84 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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
Momence, IL
Afternoon in Momence on Sunday
Local time
3:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°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
6 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
1h 44m 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 Momence, IL covers 75.7 miles and takes about 1h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, Calumet Expressway, Dixie Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 37.8 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 $11.50 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 75.7 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 38.1 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Des Plaines, IL to Momence, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Danville along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 627 ft to 715 ft elevation with about 86 ft of total climbing.
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