Origin
Des Plaines, IL
Morning in Des Plaines on Thursday
Local time
11:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Des Plaines, IL to Bennington, IL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 50m
Distance
278.7 mi
449 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 37m
★
6 AM
5h 50m
8 AM
6h 16m
10 AM
5h 59m
12 PM
5h 57m
3 PM
6h 1m
5 PM
6h 15m
8 PM
5h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Des Plaines, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Bennington, IL
Phil Evenden
Trip Overview
The drive from Des Plaines, IL to Bennington, IL covers 278.7 miles and takes about 5h 50m 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 $43.57 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
139.4 miles from Des Plaines, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 55m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 50m. Total distance: 278.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 50m drive with frequent turns across 278.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 38 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.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 50m 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 Bennington, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Des Plaines River Road | — | — |
| I 294 South | — | — |
| Tri-State Tollway | — | — |
| Mile-Long Bridge | — | — |
| IL 50 South | — | — |
| Cicero Avenue | — | — |
| 167th Street | — | — |
| I 57 South | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
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 Bennington, 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
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
7
Continue on Mile-Long Bridge
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Mile-Long Bridge
8
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
8.5 mi
·
10 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
9
Take the exit slight right toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street
10
Keep slight left to continue on IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue
11
Turn straight onto Cicero Avenue
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Cicero Avenue
12
Turn left onto 167th Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
167th Street
13
Take the ramp slight right toward I 57 South: Kankakee, I-80
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 57 South: Kankakee, I-80
14
Merge slight left
157 mi
·
2 hr 49 min
15
Take the exit slight right toward IL 16 East: Charleston
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
IL 16 East: Charleston
16
Turn straight onto Charleston Avenue East
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Charleston Avenue East
17
Continue on Illinois Route 16
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Illinois Route 16
18
Continue on West Lincoln Avenue
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
West Lincoln Avenue
19
Turn right onto 18th Street
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
18th Street
20
Continue on Illinois Route 130
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Illinois Route 130
21
Continue on Route 130
10.0 mi
·
14 min
·
Route 130
22
Continue on County Road 1825 East
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road 1825 East
23
Continue on County Road 1775 E
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road 1775 E
24
Continue on North Haughton Highway
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
North Haughton Highway
25
Continue on 1700E
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
1700E
26
Continue on North Haughton Highway
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
North Haughton Highway
27
Continue on County Road 1700E
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
County Road 1700E
28
Continue on North 1250th Street
13 mi
·
19 min
·
North 1250th Street
29
Turn left onto South Van Buren Street
11 mi
·
15 min
·
South Van Buren Street
30
Continue on County Road 1100 East
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
County Road 1100 East
31
Continue on North West Street
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
North West Street
32
Continue on County Road 1150
14 mi
·
19 min
·
County Road 1150
33
Turn right onto County Road 1850 N
3.8 mi
·
9 min
·
County Road 1850 N
34
Turn right onto 125E
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
125E
35
Turn left onto 1900N
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
1900N
36
Turn left onto 095E
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
095E
37
Turn left onto 100E
105 ft
·
5 sec
·
100E
38
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 139.4 miles from Des Plaines, IL, or about 2h 55m 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 61 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.4 miles or 2h 55m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bennington, 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 278.7 miles and 5h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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 139.4 mi from Des Plaines, IL · 2h 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
139 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 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 139.4 miles from Des Plaines, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bennington, IL
The final approach into Bennington, 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 Bennington, 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
$43.57 one way
$87.14 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $47.84 | $95.68 |
| premium | $4.89 | $53.63 | $107.27 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $61.53 | $123.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.6 | 1 | $29.26 | $13.38 |
| Efficient EV | 69.7 | 0 | $24.39 | $11.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.5 | 1 | $39.02 | $17.84 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% 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
Bennington, IL
Morning in Bennington on Thursday
Local time
11:38 AM
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 50m 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 Bennington, IL covers 278.7 miles and takes about 5h 50m 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 139.4 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 $43.57 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 straightforward 5h 50m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Des Plaines, IL to Bennington, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Des Plaines, IL to Bennington, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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