Origin
Momence, IL
Morning in Momence on Wednesday
Local time
6:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Momence, IL to Des Plaines, IL
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 46m
Distance
76.6 mi
123 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 39m
★
6 AM
1h 47m
8 AM
2h 3m
10 AM
1h 53m
12 PM
1h 51m
3 PM
1h 53m
5 PM
2h 2m
8 PM
1h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Momence, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Des Plaines, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 76.6 miles through the Illinois Midwest, this trip connects Momence to Des Plaines in approximately 1 hour and 46 minutes. Because the total duration is quite manageable, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. You should budget about $12 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Navigating this path involves utilizing a mix of the Tri-State Tollway, the Calumet Expressway, and the South Dixie Highway. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a quick change of scenery, the straightforward nature of this drive makes it a practical choice for your travel plans.
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
38.3 miles from Momence, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you transition between road types. Only 18% of your journey is spent on highways, meaning you will spend the majority of your time navigating local surface streets. Your longest uninterrupted stretch is a 41.4-mile run along the Tri-State Tollway, which offers a brief reprieve from the stop-and-go nature of the local sections. The character of the road shifts significantly as you move from the quieter stretches near Momence into the more complex, turn-heavy infrastructure closer to Des Plaines. Be prepared for a dynamic experience behind the wheel that requires frequent adjustments to your speed and direction.
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.
South Main Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
727 ft
611 ft
Total Climb
217 ft
Total Descent
188 ft
Highest Point
727 ft
~19.1 mi in
Elevation Range
115 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Momence, IL to Des Plaines, IL is easy. At 1h 46m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Momence, IL to Des Plaines, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Taylor Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| County Road East 1241 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Dixie Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Calumet Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 80 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 80 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Tri-State Tollway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
South Main Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Momence, IL and Des Plaines, IL.
1
Start on North Dixie Highway
5.8 mi
·
9 min
·
North Dixie Highway
2
Continue on South Main Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
South Main Street
3
Turn right onto East Taylor Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Taylor Street
4
At the end of the road, turn left onto County Road East 1241 North
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
County Road East 1241 North
5
Continue on South Dixie Highway
6.2 mi
·
9 min
·
South Dixie Highway
6
Continue on Calumet Expressway
14 mi
·
19 min
·
Calumet Expressway
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 80, I 294 North, I 94 East: Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
I 80, I 294 North, I 94 East: Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana
8
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West, I 294 North: Iowa, Wisconsin
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 80 West, I 294 North: Iowa, Wisconsin
9
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
10
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
11
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
24 mi
·
29 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
12
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
13
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Touhy Avenue
14
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Touhy Avenue
15
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Touhy Avenue West
16
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Touhy Avenue West
17
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
325 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Touhy Avenue
18
Turn slight right
338 ft
·
9 sec
19
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
South Des Plaines River Road
20
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Henry Avenue
21
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though you should account for the turn-heavy nature of the local roads when planning your arrival. There are no scheduled stops on this 76.6-mile route, so ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave to make the most of your $12 budget. Keep a close eye on your navigation, especially when transitioning off the Tri-State Tollway, as the local road segments can be easy to miss. Because the route is compact, you can comfortably complete the drive in one go without the need for extended rest breaks. Focus on staying alert during the local portions of the drive where turns are most frequent.
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 38.3 miles from Momence, IL, or about 53m into the drive.
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 76.6 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.3 miles or 53m 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 30m
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 Momence, 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 Momence, IL
This is one driving day of about 76.6 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Momence, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 38.3 mi from Momence, IL · 53m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 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 76.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 38.3 miles from Momence, 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
$11.98 one way
$23.95 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $13.15 | $26.30 |
| premium | $4.89 | $14.74 | $29.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.91 | $33.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23 | 0 | $8.04 | $3.68 |
| Efficient EV | 19.2 | 0 | $6.70 | $3.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.6 | 0 | $10.72 | $4.90 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Morning in Des Plaines on Wednesday
Local time
6:38 AM
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
6 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
1h 46m 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 Momence, IL to Des Plaines, IL covers 76.6 miles and takes about 1h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Main Street, East Taylor Street, County Road East 1241 North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 38.3 miles from Momence, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.98 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.
The drive from Momence, IL to Des Plaines, IL is easy. At 1h 46m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Momence, IL to Des Plaines, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Momence, IL to Des Plaines, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 611 ft to 727 ft elevation with about 217 ft of total climbing.
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