Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 6m
Distance
47.7 mi
77 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Des Plaines, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Park Forest, IL
Wikimedia Commons
This 47.7-mile drive from Des Plaines to Park Forest, Illinois, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 6 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via the Tri-State Tollway, Governors Highway, and Western Avenue, with a significant portion of the journey on the tollway. The estimated fuel cost for this Midwest trek is around $7. Given its relatively short distance and the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, this route offers a straightforward way to get from point A to point B within Illinois, without the need for an overnight stay.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 6m. Total distance: 47.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this trip, though a substantial 35.8 miles will be spent on the Tri-State Tollway. This means you'll experience a mix of faster highway travel and more intricate local road navigation. The highway share is 100%, indicating a focus on efficient travel, but be prepared for more frequent directional changes as you transition onto and off the main tollway and then onto local roads like Governors Highway and Western Avenue. The route's character will shift from open highway to more urban and suburban settings.
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.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 47.7 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 39 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Hazel Crest, Homewood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Dixie Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Governors Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Des Plaines, IL and Park Forest, IL, road signs point toward Hazel Crest, Homewood and Dixie Highway.
Hazel Crest
Homewood
Dixie Highway
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-State Tollway | 35.8 mi | 44m |
| Governors Highway | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Western Avenue | 2.5 mi | 5m |
| South Des Plaines River Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Vollmer Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Mile-Long Bridge | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| 175th Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Kedzie Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines, IL and Park Forest, IL.
Start on Henry Avenue
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 294
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
Continue on I 294
Continue on I 294
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
Take the exit
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Turn right onto Dixie Highway
Turn right onto 175th Street
Turn left onto Governors Highway
Turn slight left onto Kedzie Avenue
Turn left onto CH B66
Turn right onto Western Avenue
Turn right onto Westwood Drive
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 23.8 mi from Des Plaines, IL · 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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.
A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 23.8 miles from Des Plaines, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Park Forest, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$7.46 one way
$14.91 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $8.19 | $16.38 |
| premium | $4.89 | $9.18 | $18.36 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.53 | $21.06 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.15
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Tolls
$2
Total
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.3 | 0 | $5.01 | $2.29 |
| Efficient EV | 11.9 | 0 | $4.17 | $1.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.1 | 0 | $6.68 | $3.05 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Des Plaines on Thursday
Local time
5:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Evening in Park Forest on Thursday
Local time
5:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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