This 158.1-mile drive from Hampton, IL to Des Plaines, IL is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take just over 3 hours. You'll primarily be on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) and the Tri-State Tollway, with about 28% of the journey on major highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $24. Given the relatively short duration and the Midwest scenery, this trip is well-suited for a single day of travel, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. It's a straightforward journey connecting two points within Illinois.
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
79 miles from Hampton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 29m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 3m. Total distance: 158.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a route that is turn-heavy in its local segments but transitions to more consistent highway driving. While 28% of the drive is on major highways, the majority will involve navigating local roads and interchanges. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 95.7 miles on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, offering a period of steady progress. The profile suggests a dynamic driving experience, moving from more involved local navigation to stretches of faster travel as you progress towards Des Plaines.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 95.7 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
907 ft581 ft
Total Climb
353 ft
Total Descent
305 ft
Highest Point
907 ft
~90.3 mi in
Elevation Range
325 ft
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 139.6 miles in near I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 158.1 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 139.6 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
139.6 mi into trip|~2h 36m in|I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
144.3 mi into trip|~2h 42m 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
155.1 mi into trip|~2h 57m 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
155.7 mi into trip|~2h 58m 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
155.8 mi into trip|~2h 58m 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.
Between Hampton, IL and Des Plaines, IL, road signs point toward Rockford and Milwaukee.
Rockford
144.3 mi in|~2h 42m
Milwaukee
144.9 mi in|~2h 43m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
95.7 mi
1h 46m
I 88
43.8 mi
46m
Tri-State Tollway
9.9 mi
13m
Hubbard Road
2.9 mi
4m
South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi
3m
Dennhardt Road
1 mi
2m
IL 5
0.8 mi
<1m
State Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
— 95.7 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hampton, IL and Des Plaines, IL.
1
Start on 6th Street
37 ft·6 sec·6th Street
2
Turn left onto IL 84
0.2 mi·18 sec·State Avenue
3
Turn right onto CR 79
2.8 mi·4 min·Hubbard Road
4
Turn right onto Dennhardt Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Dennhardt Road
5
At end of road, turn right onto CR 79
270 ft·7 sec·Hubbard Road
6
Continue on CR 79
137 ft·2 sec·Hubbard Road
7
Turn left onto IL 5; IL 92
0.4 mi·35 sec·IL 5; IL 92
8
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 5; IL 92
0.3 mi·23 sec·IL 5; IL 92
9
Continue on I 88; IL 92
44 mi·46 min·I 88; IL 92
10
Continue on I 88; IL 110
91 mi·1 hr 40 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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 139Toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, RockfordUse 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-BToward Touhy AvenueUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy Avenue
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Touhy Avenue WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 42BToward Touhy Avenue WestUse 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
For this 3-hour drive, an early morning departure will help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the Des Plaines area. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to take breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, with an estimated cost of $24 for the trip, and consider topping off before you leave Hampton to ensure a smooth journey. A practical tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the tollway system beforehand, as significant portions are tolled, and having an I-PASS or compatible transponder can streamline your travel.
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 79 miles from Hampton, IL, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.7 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79 miles or 1h 29m 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 25m
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 Hampton, 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 Hampton, IL
This is one driving day of about 158.1 miles and 3h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hampton, 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 95.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 79 mi from Hampton, IL
· 1h 29m into the drive
The midpoint is around 79 miles from Hampton, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 95.7 miles.
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 141.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.01 one way
$48.03 round trip
$3.86/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.25
$26.47
$52.94
premium
$4.80
$29.85
$59.69
diesel
$5.64
$35.12
$70.25
Estimated Tolls: $6.34
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(95.7 mi)$5.74
Tri-state Tollway
(9.9 mi)$0.60
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
$24
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.4
0
$16.60
$7.59
Efficient EV
39.5
0
$13.83
$6.32
EV Truck/SUV
63.2
0
$22.13
$10.12
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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 15, 2026
Origin
Hampton, IL
Afternoon
in Hampton on Friday
Local time
12:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Des Plaines, IL
Afternoon
in Des Plaines on Friday
Local time
12:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Aurora, IL
79 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
1 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
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 Hampton, IL to Des Plaines, IL covers 158.1 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, I 88, Tri-State Tollway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 79 miles from Hampton, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.01 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 14 significant decision points across 158.1 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 139.6 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Hampton, IL and Des Plaines, IL, road signs point toward Rockford and Milwaukee.
