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Trip from Des Plaines, IL to Bourbon, IL

Data updated 3 hours ago

Drive Time

3h 41m

Distance

179.5 mi

289 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 28m ★
6 AM
3h 41m
8 AM
4h 6m
10 AM
3h 50m
12 PM
3h 47m
3 PM
3h 51m
5 PM
4h 5m
8 PM
3h 33m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Des Plaines, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Bourbon, IL, IL

Bourbon, IL

Chad Populis

Trip Overview

The drive from Des Plaines, IL to Bourbon, IL covers 179.5 miles and takes about 3h 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 57, Tri-State Tollway, US 45 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 126.1 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.06 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

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

89.7 miles from Des Plaines, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 48m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a 3h 41m highway drive covering 179.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and Tri-State Tollway. The longest continuous stretch is about 126.1 miles on I 57.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 126.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Tri-State Tollway. 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 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 179.5 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 31.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These 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.
8
31.5 mi into trip | ~41m in

Take the exit toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street

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. Exit 12 B-A Toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th...
8
31.7 mi into trip | ~41m in

Keep slight left at fork toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Exit 12A Toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue
6
163.9 mi into trip | ~3h 9m in

Take the exit toward US 45: Tolono, Pesotum, Tuscola

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 220 Toward US 45: Tolono, Pesotum, Tuscola

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Des Plaines, IL and Bourbon, IL, road signs point toward Pesotum and Tuscola.

Pesotum

163.9 mi in | ~3h 9m

Tuscola

163.9 mi in | ~3h 9m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 57 126.1 mi 2h 16m
Tri-State Tollway 28.3 mi 35m
US 45 8 mi 11m
Cicero Avenue 4.9 mi 7m
County Road 950 North 3.5 mi 4m
South Des Plaines River Road 1.8 mi 3m
North County Road 590 East 1.6 mi 6m
County Highway 16 1.1 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 57 — 126.1 mi, about 2h 16m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines, IL and Bourbon, 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

8.5 mi · 10 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 12 B-A Toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 12A Toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue Use the straight lane.
11

Turn straight onto IL 50; IL 83

4.9 mi · 7 min · Cicero Avenue
Use the left lane.
12

Turn left onto 167th Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · 167th Street
Use the left lane.
13

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 57 South: Kankakee, I-80
14

Merge onto I 57

126 mi · 2 hr 16 min · I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 28 sec
Exit 220 Toward US 45: Tolono, Pesotum, Tuscola
16

Turn straight onto US 45

8.0 mi · 11 min · US 45
17

Turn right

0.2 mi · 30 sec
18

Turn straight onto US 36

3.5 mi · 4 min · County Road 950 North
19

Turn left onto North County Road 590 East

1.6 mi · 6 min · North County Road 590 East
20

Continue on North County Road 560 East

382 ft · 16 sec · North County Road 560 East
21

Continue on North County Road 540 East

0.5 mi · 2 min · North County Road 540 East
22

Turn right onto County Highway 16

1.1 mi · 4 min · County Highway 16
23

Continue on North County Road 475 East

0.2 mi · 56 sec · North County Road 475 East
24

Continue on North County Road 490 East

449 ft · 21 sec · North County Road 490 East
25

Continue on County Road 490E

139 ft · 6 sec · County Road 490E
26

Arrive at destination

County Road 490E

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 89.7 miles from Des Plaines, IL, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 126.1 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 80 miles or 1h 38m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 89.7 miles or 1h 48m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 50m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bourbon, 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 179.5 miles and 3h 41m.

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.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 126.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 89.7 mi from Des Plaines, IL · 1h 48m into the drive

city in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Joliet, IL

90 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

Joliet, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Joliet, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 89.7 miles from Des Plaines, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 126.1 miles.

Arriving in Bourbon, IL

The final approach into Bourbon, 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 Bourbon, IL.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Pullman National Historical Park

Pullman National Historical Park

National Historical Park

In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...

8 mi from route ~20 min detour Free near mile 30.9
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.06 one way

$56.13 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 63 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $30.81 $61.62
premium $4.89 $34.54 $69.09
diesel $5.61 $39.63 $79.26

Estimated Tolls: $1.70

Tri-state Tollway (28.3 mi) $1.70

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

$28

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 62.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 53.9 0 $18.85 $8.62
Efficient EV 44.9 0 $15.71 $7.18
EV Truck/SUV 71.8 0 $25.13 $11.49

Gas CO2

63 kg

EV CO2

21 kg (67% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 hours ago

Origin

Des Plaines, IL

Evening in Des Plaines on Tuesday

Local time

8:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SSW 15 mph 27% chance Live forecast

Destination

Bourbon, IL

Evening in Bourbon on Tuesday

Local time

8:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°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

27 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 41m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Des Plaines, IL to Bourbon, IL covers 179.5 miles and takes about 3h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, Tri-State Tollway, US 45. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 89.7 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 $28.06 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 179.5 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 31.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Des Plaines, IL and Bourbon, IL, road signs point toward Pesotum and Tuscola.

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