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Trip from Earlville, IL to Des Plaines, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 52m

Distance

78 mi

125 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 44m ★
6 AM
1h 52m
8 AM
2h 8m
10 AM
1h 58m
12 PM
1h 56m
3 PM
1h 59m
5 PM
2h 8m
8 PM
1h 47m

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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Downtown Earlville, IL, IL

Earlville, IL

Tom Fisk

city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Des Plaines, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Earlville, IL to Des Plaines, IL covers 78 miles and takes about 1h 52m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on IL 56, US 34, Tri-State Tollway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 24.8 miles on IL 56. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.19 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.

Midpoint

39 miles from Earlville, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
IL 56 24.8 mi 30m
US 34 23.9 mi 37m
Tri-State Tollway 9.9 mi 13m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway 4.7 mi 5m
Eldamain Road 3.5 mi 5m
US 30 2.9 mi 3m
Galena Road 2 mi 2m
South Des Plaines River Road 1.7 mi 3m
Longest stretch: IL 56 — 24.8 mi, about 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on West Winthrop Street

135 ft · 6 sec · West Winthrop Street
2

Turn right onto South Ottawa Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Ottawa Street
3

Continue on CH 41

0.1 mi · 22 sec · County Highway 41
4

Turn left onto US 34

24 mi · 37 min · US 34
Use the left lane.
5

Turn left onto Eldamain Road

3.5 mi · 5 min · Eldamain Road
Use the left lane.
6

Turn right onto Galena Road

2.0 mi · 2 min · Galena Road
Use the right lane.
7

Turn left onto North Bridge Street

1.2 mi · 1 min · North Bridge Street
8

Continue on US 30; IL 47

2.9 mi · 3 min · US 30; IL 47
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec
Toward IL 56 East: Chicago Use the right lane.
10

Merge onto IL 56

25 mi · 30 min · IL 56
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110

4.7 mi · 5 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 139 Toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
14

Merge onto I 294

9.9 mi · 13 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue Use the slight right lane.
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue
17

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward Touhy Avenue West Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Exit 42B Toward Touhy Avenue West Use the right lane.
19

Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue

325 ft · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
20

Turn slight right

339 ft · 9 sec
21

Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road

1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
22

Turn left onto Henry Avenue

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
23

Arrive at destination

Henry Avenue

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 39 miles from Earlville, IL, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.8 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 17 miles or 27m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 39 miles or 59m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 34m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Des Plaines, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Earlville, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Earlville, IL

This is one driving day of about 78 miles and 1h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Earlville, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on IL 56 for about 24.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city on tripoints of DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Aurora, IL

39 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.

Popular next leg

Aurora, IL to Des Plaines, IL

39.4 mi · 54m

Pacing Suggestions

Somonauk, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Aurora, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 39 miles from Earlville, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

A2B Indian Veg Restaurant - Illinois

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Warrenville, Illinois

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 50.1

Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm

+16307918800

Visit website

Cafe Mirage

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Schiller Park, Illinois

0.2 mi

Ditka's Oakbrook

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois

0.5 mi

A2B Indian Veg Restaurant - Illinois

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 50.1

Warrenville, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm

+16307918800

Visit website

Cafe Mirage

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 72.4

Schiller Park, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+18476782614

Visit website

Ditka's Oakbrook

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour Expensive mile 61.3

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16305722200

Visit website

Cielito Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route Moderately mile 22.3

Plano, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+16302732045

Visit website

Tacochela Mexican Restaurant and Catering

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 55.7

Downers Grove, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+16304478226

Visit website

J. Alexander's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Expensive mile 61.3

Oak Brook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+16305738180

Visit website

Simon's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 61.3

Villa Park, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+16305300200

Visit website

Oak Street Restaurant And Bar

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 39

North Aurora, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+16303017202

Visit website

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 61.3

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 75.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.8 mi into trip | ~2m in | US 34

Turn left onto US 34

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
8
64.2 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in

Take the exit toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford

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 139 Toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rock...
7
74.9 mi into trip | ~1h 45m in

Take the exit toward Touhy Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue
7
75.6 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Touhy Avenue West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Touhy Avenue West
8
75.7 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Touhy Avenue West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 42B Toward Touhy Avenue West

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.19 one way

$24.39 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 27 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $13.39 $26.78
premium $4.89 $15.01 $30.02
diesel $5.61 $17.22 $34.44

Estimated Tolls: $0.88

Tri-state Tollway (9.9 mi) $0.60
Reagan Memorial Tollway (4.7 mi) $0.28

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

$12

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 27.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 23.4 0 $8.19 $3.74
Efficient EV 19.5 0 $6.82 $3.12
EV Truck/SUV 31.2 0 $10.92 $4.99

Gas CO2

27 kg

EV CO2

9 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 as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Earlville, IL

Afternoon in Earlville on Saturday

Local time

2:06 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Partly Sunny

WNW 15 to 20 mph 4% chance Live forecast

Destination

Des Plaines, IL

Afternoon in Des Plaines on Saturday

Local time

2:06 PM

CDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

51°F

Aurora, IL

39 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

2 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

1h 52m 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.

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...

20 mi from route ~50 min detour Free near mile 64.5
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This is a 1h 52m highway drive covering 78 miles, with most of the trip on IL 56 and US 34. The longest continuous stretch is about 24.8 miles on IL 56.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
IL 56 is the longest continuous segment at about 24.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on IL 56 and US 34. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near US 34.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78 miles you will encounter 16 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 0.8 miles (US 34): Lane positioning matters here; at 64.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Earlville, IL and Des Plaines, IL, road signs point toward Rockford and Milwaukee.

Rockford

64.2 mi in | ~1h 30m

Milwaukee

64.8 mi in | ~1h 32m

About the Cities

Arriving in Des Plaines, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1852

Des Plaines is in Chicagoland. It is an inner-ring, northwest suburb of Chicago with two distinct portions: a suburban northern portion reminiscient of other, nearby northwest suburbs (including Niles, Park Ridge, and Mount Prospect), as well as a built-up southern portion with the businesses, hotels, and other amenities of the O'Hare Airport corridor (much like Rosemont, Chicago's O'Hare neighborhood, and Elk Grove Village).

Top landmarks

  • • McDonald's #1 Store Museum — former McDonald's spot

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 78 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (66%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Earlville, IL to Des Plaines, IL covers 78 miles and takes about 1h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are IL 56, US 34, Tri-State Tollway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 39 miles from Earlville, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.19 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (US 34): Lane positioning matters here; at 64.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Between Earlville, IL and Des Plaines, IL, road signs point toward Rockford and Milwaukee.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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