Origin
Guilford, IL
Afternoon in Guilford on Sunday
Local time
4:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Guilford, IL to Des Plaines, IL
Drive Time
3h 3m
Distance
143.8 mi
231 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 52m
★
6 AM
3h 4m
8 AM
3h 27m
10 AM
3h 12m
12 PM
3h 9m
3 PM
3h 13m
5 PM
3h 25m
8 PM
2h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Des Plaines, IL
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Spanning 143.8 miles across the Illinois Midwest, this trip connects Guilford to Des Plaines in approximately 3 hours and 3 minutes. It is a straightforward journey that fits perfectly into a single day, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Expect to spend roughly $22 on fuel for the trek. You will navigate a variety of paths, including the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, and West State Road. Because the drive is relatively short, it serves as a manageable transit route rather than an exhaustive expedition.
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
71.9 miles from Guilford, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. While the route utilizes major corridors, it maintains a 0% highway share, emphasizing local road navigation throughout the 143.8-mile distance. Your longest uninterrupted stretch covers 58.7 miles along the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, providing a consistent rhythm before the route shifts into more technical segments. The character of the road changes as you transition between these thoroughfares, requiring your full attention as you move through the Illinois landscape.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 58.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 103.7 miles in near I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 143.8 miles you will encounter 14 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 103.7 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
103.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m in
|
I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
139.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
Take the exit toward Elmhurst Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 73
Toward Elmhurst Road
7
139.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Elmhurst Road North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Elmhurst Road North
6
140.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m in
|
West Oakton Street
Turn right onto West Oakton Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
143.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 1m in
|
East Algonquin Road
Turn right onto East Algonquin Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Grant Memorial Highway | 58.7 mi | 1h 13m |
| Jane Addams Memorial Tollway | 55.4 mi | 59m |
| West State Road | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road | 8.1 mi | 14m |
| West North Avenue | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| West Rawlins Road | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| East Oakton Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| West Oakton Street | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
— 58.7 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Guilford, IL and Des Plaines, IL.
1
Start on West Guilford Road
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
West Guilford Road
2
Continue on West Rawlins Road
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West Rawlins Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto CR 4
8.1 mi
·
14 min
·
North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 20
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Madison Street
5
Continue on US 20
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
West Diagonal Street
6
Continue on US 20
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
7
Continue on US 20
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on US 20
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Woodbine Street
9
Continue on US 20
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
10
Continue on US 20
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
West North Avenue
Use the none lane.
11
Continue on US 20
33 mi
·
41 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
12
Continue on US 20
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
West State Road
13
Continue on US 20
14 mi
·
16 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Toward US 20 East: Chicago
14
Continue on I 39; US 51
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
I 39; US 51
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 East: Chicago
16
Merge onto I 90
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
36 mi
·
38 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 73
Toward Elmhurst Road
Use the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
288 ft
·
9 sec
Toward Elmhurst Road North
Use the slight left lane.
20
Turn straight onto South Elmhurst Road
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
South Elmhurst Road
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
21
Turn right onto West Oakton Street
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
West Oakton Street
Use the right lane.
22
Continue on West Oakton Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Oakton Street
Use the none lane.
23
Continue on East Oakton Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
East Oakton Street
Use the none lane.
24
Turn left onto US 12; US 45
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
Lee Street
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto East Algonquin Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Algonquin Road
Use the none lane.
26
Turn left onto White Street
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
White Street
27
Turn right onto Henry Avenue
262 ft
·
11 sec
·
Henry Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
Henry Avenue
Trip Plan
Planning for this 3-hour journey is simple thanks to its short duration, allowing you plenty of flexibility in your departure time. With only one recommended stop, you can easily pace yourself to avoid fatigue on the turn-heavy sections. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $22 estimate assumes a steady pace, and refilling before hitting the more technical local roads is a smart strategy. Since the route relies heavily on local roads rather than high-speed highways, factor in extra time if you are traveling during peak local traffic hours. Focus your energy on the 58.7-mile stretch of the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, as this is your best window to make efficient progress.
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 71.9 miles from Guilford, IL, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.7 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 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.9 miles or 1h 40m 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 31m
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 Guilford, 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 Guilford, IL
This is one driving day of about 143.8 miles and 3h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Guilford, 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 U.S. Grant Memorial Highway for about 58.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 71.9 mi from Guilford, IL · 1h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 71.9 miles from Guilford, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Des Plaines, IL
The final approach into Des Plaines, 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 Des Plaines, 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
$21.84 one way
$43.68 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $24.08 | $48.16 |
| premium | $4.80 | $27.15 | $54.29 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $31.95 | $63.89 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.88
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(55.4 mi)
$3.88
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
$22
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.1 | 0 | $15.10 | $6.90 |
| Efficient EV | 36 | 0 | $12.58 | $5.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.5 | 0 | $20.13 | $9.20 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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
Afternoon in Des Plaines on Sunday
Local time
4:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°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 3m 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 Guilford, IL to Des Plaines, IL covers 143.8 miles and takes about 3h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, West State Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71.9 miles from Guilford, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.84 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 143.8 miles you will encounter 14 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 103.7 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Guilford, IL to Des Plaines, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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