Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Lena, IL to Des Plaines, IL

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

2h 12m

Distance

112.3 mi

181 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 3m ★
6 AM
2h 12m
8 AM
2h 31m
10 AM
2h 19m
12 PM
2h 17m
3 PM
2h 20m
5 PM
2h 30m
8 PM
2h 7m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
human settlement in Illinois, United States of America

Lena, IL

Wikimedia Commons

city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Des Plaines, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are looking to travel from Lena to Des Plaines, you are in for a straightforward 115.4-mile trek across the Illinois countryside. The drive typically takes about 1 hour and 52 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a manageable day trip rather than an overnight excursion. You will primarily navigate via North Schuyler Street and IL 73, keeping the journey focused on local roads. With an estimated fuel cost of $17, it is a budget-friendly way to cross the state. Since both locations are firmly within the Midwest, you can expect a familiar, consistent regional feel throughout your travel.

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

56.2 miles from Lena, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy, local experience rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. Because you will be navigating local roads, there is no single long-distance stretch to settle into; in fact, the longest uninterrupted segment on North Schuyler Street is 0 miles. This journey requires your full attention as you transition between local routes, creating a more tactile driving experience. You will not find the monotony of a long-haul freeway here, so prepare for a more hands-on approach behind the wheel. The road's personality is defined by its winding local nature, keeping the pace steady and deliberate.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 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 55.4 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

951 ft 632 ft

Total Climb

176 ft

Total Descent

494 ft

Highest Point

951 ft

Elevation Range

318 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 52.5 miles in near I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 112.3 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 52.5 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.2 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
52.5 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in | I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

Merge onto I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
72.2 mi into trip | ~1h 24m 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
107.9 mi into trip | ~2h 2m 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
108.3 mi into trip | ~2h 3m 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
108.7 mi into trip | ~2h 4m in | West Oakton Street

Turn right onto West Oakton Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway 55.4 mi 59m
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway 39.8 mi 47m
West State Road 9.8 mi 11m
East Oakton Street 1.4 mi 2m
IL 73 1 mi 1m
West Oakton Street 1 mi 1m
I 39 0.6 mi <1m
North Schuyler Street 0.6 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Jane Addams Memorial Tollway — 55.4 mi, about 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on West Lena Street

93 ft · 3 sec · West Lena Street
2

Turn right onto IL 73

0.6 mi · 55 sec · North Schuyler Street
3

Continue on IL 73

1.0 mi · 1 min · IL 73
4

Turn left onto US 20

25 mi · 30 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
5

Continue on US 20

9.8 mi · 11 min · West State Road
6

Continue on US 20

14 mi · 16 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Toward US 20 East: Chicago
7

Continue on I 39; US 51

0.6 mi · 41 sec · I 39; US 51
8

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90 East: Chicago
9

Merge onto I 90

20 mi · 21 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90

36 mi · 38 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 41 sec
Exit 73 Toward Elmhurst Road Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

288 ft · 9 sec
Toward Elmhurst Road North Use the slight left lane.
13

Turn straight onto South Elmhurst Road

0.4 mi · 42 sec · South Elmhurst Road
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14

Turn right onto West Oakton Street

0.1 mi · 12 sec · West Oakton Street
Use the right lane.
15

Continue on West Oakton Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Oakton Street
16

Continue on East Oakton Street

1.4 mi · 2 min · East Oakton Street
17

Turn left onto US 12; US 45

0.5 mi · 59 sec · Lee Street
Use the left lane.
18

Turn right onto East Algonquin Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Algonquin Road
19

Turn left onto White Street

0.1 mi · 30 sec · White Street
20

Turn right onto Henry Avenue

262 ft · 11 sec · Henry Avenue
21

Arrive at destination

Henry Avenue

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. While the 1 hour and 52-minute duration is short enough to drive in one go, remember that the lack of highway stretches means your average speed will be lower than a typical interstate trip. Plan to budget around $17 for fuel before you head out, and ensure your vehicle is ready for frequent turns. Given that there are no planned stops, it is a good idea to handle your refueling and rest needs before departing Lena. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert on North Schuyler Street, as the turn-heavy nature of the roads requires you to stay focused on navigation throughout the entire 115.4-mile journey.

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 56.2 miles from Lena, IL, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.4 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 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 56.2 miles or 1h 7m 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 45m

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 Lena, 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 Lena, IL

This is one driving day of about 112.3 miles and 2h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lena, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway for about 55.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 56.2 mi from Lena, IL · 1h 7m into the drive

Downtown Rockford, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rockford, IL

56 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

Elgin, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rockford, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 56.2 miles from Lena, 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

$17.56 one way

$35.11 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 39 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $19.28 $38.55
premium $4.89 $21.61 $43.22
diesel $5.61 $24.79 $49.59

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

$18

Tolls

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 39.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 33.7 0 $11.79 $5.39
Efficient EV 28.1 0 $9.83 $4.49
EV Truck/SUV 44.9 0 $15.72 $7.19

Gas CO2

39 kg

EV CO2

13 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 data refreshed 23 hours ago

Origin

Lena, IL

Afternoon in Lena on Wednesday

Local time

2:24 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 15 mph 53% chance Live forecast

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 14 at 12:19PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 14 at 11:55AM CDT until April 20 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Destination

Des Plaines, IL

Afternoon in Des Plaines on Wednesday

Local time

2:24 PM

CDT

Current temp

82°F

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms

SSW 15 mph 34% chance Live forecast

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 14 at 12:19PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 14 at 11:55AM CDT until April 20 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

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

5 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

2h 12m 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 Lena, IL to Des Plaines, IL covers 112.3 miles and takes about 2h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, West State Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56.2 miles from Lena, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.56 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 demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 112.3 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 52.5 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.2 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Lena, IL to Des Plaines, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 632 ft to 951 ft elevation with about 176 ft of total climbing.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Des Plaines, IL

Metropolis, IL 379.6 mi · 7h 4m Campton, IL 345 mi · 6h 45m Sleepy Hollow, IL 343.2 mi · 6h 27m Cambria, IL 336.8 mi · 6h 21m

More from Lena, IL

Springfield, IL 237.5 mi · 4h 25m Markham, IL 144.7 mi · 2h 54m Aurora, IL 112.1 mi · 2h 12m

More trips to Des Plaines, IL

Metropolis, IL 380 mi Sleepy Hollow, IL 345.3 mi Crainville, IL 339.5 mi Johnston City, IL 328.8 mi Carmi, IL 310.6 mi New Baden, IL 297.4 mi

Explore more options from Lena, IL or browse trips ending in Des Plaines, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Explore maps for Lena, IL or Des Plaines, IL on MapSof.net.