Origin
East Hazel Crest, IL
Morning in East Hazel Crest on Friday
Local time
7:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from East Hazel Crest, IL to Des Plaines, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
57m
Distance
41.6 mi
67 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 52m
★
6 AM
0h 57m
8 AM
1h 6m
10 AM
1h 0m
12 PM
0h 59m
3 PM
1h 1m
5 PM
1h 6m
8 PM
0h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
East Hazel Crest, IL
Hugo Sykes
Des Plaines, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
East Hazel Crest, IL to Des Plaines, IL is 41.6 miles and takes about 57 minutes via Tri-State Tollway, South Des Plaines River Road, and 171st Street, with a fuel budget near $7 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, connecting two points in the Midwest region. Expect a local feel with plenty of turns, making it a good option if you prefer navigating through towns rather than long stretches of open highway. It's a straightforward trip that can easily be completed within a few hours, offering flexibility for your schedule.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 57m. Total distance: 41.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll encounter frequent changes in direction rather than extended periods on a single highway. With a 0% highway share, prepare for a more engaged driving experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 37 miles on the Tri-State Tollway, representing the bulk of the travel before you transition to local roads. Expect to navigate through various surface streets and intersections, particularly as you approach your destination in Des Plaines.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Tri-State Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 37 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.
Driving Effort
8/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 13 decision points packed into just 41.6 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 57m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.8 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
2.4 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
26.8 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
38.5 mi into trip
|
~50m 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
39.2 mi into trip
|
~52m 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
39.3 mi into trip
|
~52m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from East Hazel Crest, IL to Des Plaines, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Touhy Avenue West along the way.
Touhy Avenue West
39.2 mi in
|
~52m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-State Tollway | 37 mi | 46m |
| South Des Plaines River Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| 171st Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Center Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Henry Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Touhy Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Wood Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 174th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Tri-State Tollway
— 37 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Hazel Crest, IL and Des Plaines, IL.
1
Start on 174th Street
83 ft
·
9 sec
·
174th Street
2
Turn left onto Center Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Center Avenue
3
Turn left onto 171st Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
171st Street
4
Turn left onto Wood Street
153 ft
·
4 sec
·
Wood Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 294 North, I 80 West: Tri-State Tollway
6
Merge onto I 80; I 294
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Tri-State Tollway
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
24 mi
·
29 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward Touhy Avenue West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 42B
Toward Touhy Avenue West
Use the right lane.
14
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
325 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Touhy Avenue
15
Turn slight right
339 ft
·
9 sec
16
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
South Des Plaines River Road
17
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Henry Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
Henry Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.8 mi from East Hazel Crest, IL · 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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 41.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.8 miles from East Hazel Crest, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Des Plaines, IL
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Des Plaines, IL if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.50 one way
$13.01 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $7.14 | $14.28 |
| premium | $4.89 | $8.01 | $16.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.18 | $18.37 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.22
Tri-state Tollway
(37 mi)
$2.22
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Tolls
$2
Total
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.5 | 0 | $4.37 | $2.00 |
| Efficient EV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.64 | $1.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.6 | 0 | $5.82 | $2.66 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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.
Destination
Des Plaines, IL
Morning in Des Plaines on Friday
Local time
7:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Elmhurst, IL
21 mi in
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
20 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
57m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from East Hazel Crest, IL to Des Plaines, IL covers 41.6 miles and takes about 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, South Des Plaines River Road, 171st Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20.8 miles from East Hazel Crest, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.50 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 is a short but busy drive. With 13 decision points packed into just 41.6 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 57m.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.8 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from East Hazel Crest, IL to Des Plaines, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Touhy Avenue West along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. National park proximity is from the NPS API. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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