Drive Time
5h 44m
Distance
298.8 mi
481 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
Photo: Yusuf Çelik
The drive from Des Plaines, IL to Aviston, IL covers 298.8 miles and takes about 5h 44m 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 $45.38 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
149.4 miles from Des Plaines, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .
Expect a 5h 44m drive with frequent turns across 298.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
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.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 44m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Des Plaines, IL to Aviston, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| 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 |
| IL 4 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Saint Louis Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines, IL and Aviston, IL.
Start on Henry Avenue
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 South: Indiana
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
Take the exit slight right toward IL 4: Staunton, Lebanon
Turn left
Turn left onto East Saint Louis Street
Turn right onto Russland Road
Turn left onto Old US Hwy 50
Continue on Harrison Street
Turn right onto Clinton Street
Turn left onto 2nd Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.4 miles or 2h 52m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aviston, IL than in the middle of the route.
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 298.8 miles and 5h 44m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 149.4 mi from Des Plaines, IL · 2h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
149 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 149.4 miles from Des Plaines, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Aviston, 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 Aviston, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$45.38 one way
$90.77 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $50.03 | $100.06 |
| premium | $4.80 | $56.41 | $112.81 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $66.38 | $132.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 89.6 | 1 | $31.37 | $14.34 |
| Efficient EV | 74.7 | 0 | $26.15 | $11.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 119.5 | 1 | $41.83 | $19.12 |
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Des Plaines on Saturday
Local time
5:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Aviston on Saturday
Local time
5:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
53°F
Bloomington, IL
149 mi in
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
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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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