Origin
Des Plaines, IL
Morning in Des Plaines on Monday
Local time
9:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Des Plaines, IL to Valmeyer, IL
Drive Time
6h 11m
Distance
325 mi
523 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 59m
★
6 AM
6h 11m
8 AM
6h 37m
10 AM
6h 20m
12 PM
6h 18m
3 PM
6h 22m
5 PM
6h 36m
8 PM
6h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Des Plaines, IL
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from Des Plaines, IL to Valmeyer, IL covers 325 miles and takes about 6h 11m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Des Plaines River Road, I 294 South, Tri-State Tollway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.36 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
162.5 miles from Des Plaines, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 5m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 6h 11m drive with frequent turns across 325 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Des Plaines River Road is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 11m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Des Plaines, IL to Valmeyer, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Des Plaines River Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 294 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Tri-State Tollway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 55 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 55 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Adlai Stevenson Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 255 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 255 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
South Des Plaines River Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines, IL and Valmeyer, 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
3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 South: Indiana
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
I 294 South: Indiana
4
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
5
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
6
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
8
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
I 55 South: Saint Louis
9
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
119 mi
·
2 hr 13 min
·
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
65 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
11
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
82 mi
·
1 hr 28 min
·
I 55 South: Saint Louis
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 255: Memphis, Interstate 270
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
I 255: Memphis, Interstate 270
13
Keep slight left to continue on I 255 South: Memphis
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 255 South: Memphis
14
Merge slight left
17 mi
·
19 min
15
Take the exit slight left toward IL 3 South: Columbia
12 mi
·
15 min
·
IL 3 South: Columbia
16
Turn right onto Park Street
361 ft
·
7 sec
·
Park Street
17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Park Street
125 ft
·
3 sec
·
Park Street
18
Exit the roundabout onto Park Street
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
Park Street
19
Continue on IL 156
6.4 mi
·
11 min
·
IL 156
20
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 162.5 miles from Des Plaines, IL, or about 3h 5m into the drive.
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 80 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162.5 miles or 3h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Valmeyer, 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 325 miles and 6h 11m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 162.5 mi from Des Plaines, IL · 3h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
163 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 162.5 miles from Des Plaines, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Valmeyer, IL
The final approach into Valmeyer, 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 Valmeyer, 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
$49.36 one way
$98.73 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
114 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $54.42 | $108.84 |
| premium | $4.80 | $61.35 | $122.71 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $72.20 | $144.41 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 97.5 | 1 | $34.13 | $15.60 |
| Efficient EV | 81.3 | 0 | $28.44 | $13.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 130 | 1 | $45.50 | $20.80 |
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 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.
Destination
Valmeyer, IL
Morning in Valmeyer on Monday
Local time
9:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°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
12 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
6h 11m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 Valmeyer, IL covers 325 miles and takes about 6h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Des Plaines River Road, I 294 South, Tri-State Tollway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 162.5 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 $49.36 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 11m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Des Plaines, IL to Valmeyer, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Des Plaines, IL to Valmeyer, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Valmeyer, IL
More trips to Valmeyer, IL
Explore more options from Des Plaines, IL or browse trips ending in Valmeyer, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.
Explore maps for Des Plaines, IL or Valmeyer, IL on MapSof.net.