Origin
Mattoon, IL
Evening in Mattoon on Sunday
Local time
8:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mattoon, IL to Des Plaines, IL
Drive Time
3h 50m
Distance
200.1 mi
322 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 38m
★
6 AM
3h 51m
8 AM
4h 16m
10 AM
3h 59m
12 PM
3h 57m
3 PM
4h 1m
5 PM
4h 15m
8 PM
3h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mattoon, IL
Yusuf Çelik
Des Plaines, IL
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Traveling from Mattoon to Des Plaines covers 200.1 miles across the Illinois heartland, a journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 50 minutes. Because this route is entirely within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you head north. It is perfectly manageable as a one-day trip, making an overnight stay unnecessary unless you prefer a slower pace. Expect to spend approximately $30 on fuel for the trek. By utilizing I-57 and the Tri-State Tollway, you can complete the transit efficiently. This is a practical, straightforward drive designed for those looking to reach their destination with minimal fuss.
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
100 miles from Mattoon, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 80% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on major thoroughfares. The journey is dominated by a substantial 159.2-mile stretch along I-57, which provides a consistent, high-speed pace for the majority of the trip. You will begin on local roads like Charleston Avenue before transitioning into the heavy-duty interstate infrastructure that defines this corridor. As you approach the Des Plaines area, the character of the road shifts toward the busier Tri-State Tollway. The route is functional and direct, prioritizing speed and navigation over winding, technical scenery.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 159.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 162.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 200.1 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 162.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 197 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
8
162.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 59m in
Take the exit toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin
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 349-350
Toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevar...
8
162.7 mi into trip
|
~3h in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
Exit 349
Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
7
197 mi into trip
|
~3h 44m 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
197.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Touhy Avenue West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Touhy Avenue West
8
197.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 45m 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 Along This Route
On the drive from Mattoon, IL to Des Plaines, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Wisconsin along the way.
Wisconsin
162.4 mi in
|
~2h 59m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 159.2 mi | 2h 52m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 32.5 mi | 40m |
| Charleston Avenue | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| South Des Plaines River Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| North 15th Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Henry Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Touhy Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 159.2 mi, about 2h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mattoon, IL and Des Plaines, IL.
1
Start on this road
115 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto North 15th Street
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
·
North 15th Street
3
Turn left onto IL 16
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Charleston Avenue
4
Turn right
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
5
Merge onto I 57
159 mi
·
2 hr 52 min
·
I 57
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 349-350
Toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
1.8 mi
·
3 min
Exit 349
Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
8
Merge onto I 294
21 mi
·
25 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the none / 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 none / 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
Use the none lane.
17
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Henry Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
Henry Avenue
Trip Plan
To ensure a smooth trip, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the nearly four-hour duration. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy for avoiding potential congestion as you transition from rural stretches into the busier northern reaches of the state. Since the vast majority of your travel occurs on high-speed interstates, keep a close watch on your fuel levels before merging onto the long 159.2-mile section of I-57. Having your toll payment method ready is essential for a seamless experience on the Tri-State Tollway. Use the flexibility of this one-day itinerary to time your arrival in Des Plaines according to your own comfort level.
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 100 miles from Mattoon, IL, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 159.2 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 100 miles or 1h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 2m
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 Mattoon, 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 Mattoon, IL
This is one driving day of about 200.1 miles and 3h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mattoon, 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 I 57 for about 159.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 100 mi from Mattoon, IL · 1h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 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 100 miles from Mattoon, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 159.2 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.39 one way
$60.79 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $33.50 | $67.01 |
| premium | $4.80 | $37.77 | $75.55 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $44.46 | $88.91 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.95
Tri-state Tollway
(32.5 mi)
$1.95
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
$30
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60 | 0 | $21.01 | $9.60 |
| Efficient EV | 50 | 0 | $17.51 | $8.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80 | 1 | $28.01 | $12.81 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Evening in Des Plaines on Sunday
Local time
8:57 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
9 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 50m 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 Mattoon, IL to Des Plaines, IL covers 200.1 miles and takes about 3h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, Tri-State Tollway, Charleston Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 100 miles from Mattoon, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.39 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 200.1 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 162.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 197 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Mattoon, IL to Des Plaines, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Wisconsin along the way.
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