Origin
Mokena, IL
Afternoon in Mokena on Thursday
Local time
4:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mokena, IL to Palatine, IL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 4m
Distance
49.2 mi
79 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 0m
★
6 AM
1h 5m
8 AM
1h 15m
10 AM
1h 8m
12 PM
1h 7m
3 PM
1h 9m
5 PM
1h 15m
8 PM
1h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mokena, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Palatine, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Mokena, IL to Palatine, IL covers 49.2 miles and takes about 1h 4m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Veterans Memorial Tollway, I 290, Maple Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 31.1 miles on Veterans Memorial Tollway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.69 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 4m. Total distance: 49.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 4m drive with frequent turns across 49.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Veterans Memorial Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 31.1 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 7.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 49.2 miles you will encounter 10 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 7.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.8 miles (I 355 / Veterans Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 44.5 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
7.2 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Take the ramp toward I 355 Toll North: West Suburbs
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 355 Toll North: West Suburbs
5
7.8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
I 355 / Veterans Memorial Tollway
Merge onto I 355 / Veterans Memorial Tollway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
44.5 mi into trip
|
~56m in
|
IL 53
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
46.7 mi into trip
|
~59m in
Take the exit toward Kirchoff Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward Kirchoff Road
6
49.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
|
East Palatine Road
Turn left onto East Palatine Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Veterans Memorial Tollway | 31.1 mi | 36m |
| I 290 | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| Maple Road | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Wolf Road | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| IL 53 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Hicks Road | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| West 179th Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West South West Highway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Tollway
— 31.1 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mokena, IL and Palatine, IL.
1
Start on Wolf Road
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Wolf Road
2
Turn left onto West 179th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West 179th Street
3
Turn left onto US 6
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
West South West Highway
4
Continue on US 6
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Maple Road
5
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
Toward I 355 Toll North: West Suburbs
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 355
31 mi
·
36 min
·
Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 290
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
I 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward Kirchoff Road
Use the right lane.
10
Turn left onto Kirchoff Road
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Kirchoff Road
11
Turn right onto West Frontage Road
400 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Frontage Road
12
Continue on Hicks Road
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Hicks Road
13
Turn left onto US 14
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
East Northwest Highway
14
Turn left onto East Palatine Road
73 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Palatine Road
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
East Palatine Road
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.6 mi from Mokena, IL · 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.6 miles from Mokena, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Palatine, IL
The final approach into Palatine, 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
$7.69 one way
$15.38 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $8.45 | $16.89 |
| premium | $4.89 | $9.47 | $18.94 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.86 | $21.73 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.18
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(31.1 mi)
$2.18
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Tolls
$2
Total
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.8 | 0 | $5.17 | $2.36 |
| Efficient EV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.31 | $1.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.7 | 0 | $6.89 | $3.15 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Palatine, IL
Afternoon in Palatine on Thursday
Local time
4:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 mph
38% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 11:30AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 11:30AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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
18 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 4m 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 Mokena, IL to Palatine, IL covers 49.2 miles and takes about 1h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Veterans Memorial Tollway, I 290, Maple Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 24.6 miles from Mokena, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.69 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 49.2 miles you will encounter 10 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 7.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.8 miles (I 355 / Veterans Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 44.5 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Mokena, IL to Palatine, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.
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