Origin
Kirkland, IL
Late night in Kirkland on Thursday
Local time
12:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kirkland, IL to Des Plaines, IL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 14m
Distance
58.2 mi
94 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 9m
★
6 AM
1h 15m
8 AM
1h 27m
10 AM
1h 19m
12 PM
1h 18m
3 PM
1h 19m
5 PM
1h 26m
8 PM
1h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kirkland, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Des Plaines, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 58.2-mile drive from Kirkland, IL to Des Plaines, IL is a straightforward 1-hour and 14-minute trip, perfect for a single day. You'll navigate primarily on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, with portions on West Main Street and IL 23. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $9, this route is an economical option for a quick journey within the Midwest. The overall feel is a turn-heavy local drive, so don't expect a completely hands-off experience, but it's easily manageable for one day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
29.1 miles from Kirkland, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 38m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' experience for this 58.2-mile journey. While only 10% of the route involves highway driving, the longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 36.6 miles on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. This suggests a route that blends faster tollway segments with more frequent turns and local road navigation. The character of the drive will likely change as you transition between these different road types, requiring your attention throughout the approximately 1 hour and 14 minute duration.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 36.6 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 10.7 miles in near IL 23.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 58.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 10.7 miles (IL 23): Navigation decision point; at 18.1 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.8 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.
4
10.7 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
IL 23
Turn left onto IL 23
Navigation decision point
6
18.1 mi into trip
|
~26m 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 straight / slight right lanes.
7
53.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m 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
54.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m 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
54.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
|
West Oakton Street
Turn right onto West Oakton Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
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 Kirkland, IL to Des Plaines, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Elmhurst Road North along the way.
Elmhurst Road North
54.2 mi in
|
~1h 5m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Jane Addams Memorial Tollway | 36.6 mi | 39m |
| West Main Street | 9.5 mi | 14m |
| IL 23 | 6.1 mi | 9m |
| East Oakton Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Park Avenue | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| West Oakton Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| East Algonquin Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Lee Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
— 36.6 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kirkland, IL and Des Plaines, IL.
1
Start on South 6th Street
53 ft
·
4 sec
·
South 6th Street
2
Turn right onto IL 72
6.9 mi
·
10 min
·
West Main Street
3
Turn straight onto IL 72
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Avenue
4
Continue on IL 72
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
West Main Street
5
Turn left onto IL 23
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
IL 23
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 90 Toll East: Chicago
7
Merge onto I 90
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
36 mi
·
38 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 73
Toward Elmhurst Road
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
288 ft
·
9 sec
Toward Elmhurst Road North
Use the slight left lane.
11
Turn straight onto South Elmhurst Road
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
South Elmhurst Road
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Turn right onto West Oakton Street
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
West Oakton Street
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on West Oakton Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Oakton Street
14
Continue on East Oakton Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
East Oakton Street
15
Turn left onto US 12; US 45
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
Lee Street
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto East Algonquin Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Algonquin Road
17
Turn left onto White Street
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
White Street
18
Turn right onto Henry Avenue
262 ft
·
11 sec
·
Henry Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
Henry Avenue
Trip Plan
Given this is a short, 58.2-mile trip taking just over an hour, you have plenty of flexibility. Plan to leave Kirkland, IL, anytime that suits your schedule, as there are no stated stops and the drive is easily completed in one day. The estimated fuel cost is low at $9, so you won't need extensive refueling planning. Keep an eye out for the transitions between the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway and local roads like West Main Street and IL 23, as these are where the 'turn-heavy local drive' character will be most apparent.
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 29.1 miles from Kirkland, IL, or about 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.6 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 13 miles or 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 29.1 miles or 38m 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
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 Kirkland, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Kirkland, IL
This is one driving day of about 58.2 miles and 1h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 13 miles from Kirkland, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway for about 36.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 29.1 mi from Kirkland, IL · 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 29.1 miles from Kirkland, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.10 one way
$18.20 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $9.99 | $19.98 |
| premium | $4.89 | $11.20 | $22.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.85 | $25.70 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.57
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(36.6 mi)
$2.57
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
$9
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.5 | 0 | $6.11 | $2.79 |
| Efficient EV | 14.6 | 0 | $5.09 | $2.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.3 | 0 | $8.15 | $3.72 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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
Late night in Des Plaines on Thursday
Local time
12:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 15 mph
27% chance
Live forecast
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
32 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 14m 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 Kirkland, IL to Des Plaines, IL covers 58.2 miles and takes about 1h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, West Main Street, IL 23. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 29.1 miles from Kirkland, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.10 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 58.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 10.7 miles (IL 23): Navigation decision point; at 18.1 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Kirkland, IL to Des Plaines, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Elmhurst Road North along the way.
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