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Trip from Mount Carmel, IL to Des Plaines, IL

Drive Time

6h 17m

Distance

302.6 mi

487 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

23 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
6h 5m ★
6 AM
6h 18m
8 AM
6h 43m
10 AM
6h 26m
12 PM
6h 24m
3 PM
6h 28m
5 PM
6h 42m
8 PM
6h 10m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Wasbash County, Illinois, United States

Mount Carmel, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Des Plaines, IL, IL

Des Plaines, IL

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from Mount Carmel, IL to Des Plaines, IL covers 302.6 miles and takes about 6h 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 57, IL 33, Tri-State Tollway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 158.9 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.96 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

151.3 miles from Mount Carmel, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 23m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 6h 17m highway drive covering 302.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and IL 33. The longest continuous stretch is about 158.9 miles on I 57.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 32 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 158.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and IL 33. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 264.9 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 302.6 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 264.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 265.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 299.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

8
264.9 mi into trip | ~5h 26m 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
265.2 mi into trip | ~5h 27m 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 lanes. Exit 349 Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
7
299.5 mi into trip | ~6h 11m 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
300.2 mi into trip | ~6h 12m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Touhy Avenue West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Touhy Avenue West
8
300.3 mi into trip | ~6h 13m 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 Mount Carmel, IL to Des Plaines, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Wisconsin along the way.

Wisconsin

264.9 mi in | ~5h 26m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 57 158.9 mi 2h 52m
IL 33 36.3 mi 53m
Tri-State Tollway 32.5 mi 40m
500E 24 mi 32m
South Van Buren Street 11 mi 15m
State Route 15 10.6 mi 15m
County Road 1100 East 6.7 mi 9m
Illinois Route 16 5.3 mi 7m
Longest stretch: I 57 — 158.9 mi, about 2h 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on East 5th Street

74 ft · 5 sec · East 5th Street
2

Turn right onto North Market Street

0.4 mi · 59 sec · North Market Street
3

Turn left onto IL 1

1.3 mi · 1 min · East 9th Street
4

Continue on IL 15

11 mi · 15 min · State Route 15
5

Continue on IL 15

0.6 mi · 57 sec · Main Street
6

Continue on IL 15

0.6 mi · 49 sec · 920N
7

Continue on IL 15

0.2 mi · 19 sec · 910N
8

Continue on IL 15

2.6 mi · 3 min · 900N
9

Continue on IL 15

0.4 mi · 40 sec · East Elm Street
10

Turn right onto IL 130

24 mi · 32 min · 500E
11

Continue on IL 130; IL 250

2.5 mi · 4 min · South West Street
Use the straight lane.
12

Continue on IL 130

6.7 mi · 9 min · County Road 1100 East
13

Continue on IL 130

11 mi · 15 min · South Van Buren Street
14

Turn right onto IL 33; IL 130

36 mi · 53 min · IL 33; IL 130
15

Turn left onto IL 16

2.5 mi · 4 min · Lincoln Avenue
16

Continue on IL 16

5.3 mi · 7 min · Illinois Route 16
17

Continue on IL 16

0.4 mi · 38 sec · Charleston Avenue East
18

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
19

Merge onto I 57

159 mi · 2 hr 52 min · I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

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.
21

Keep slight right at fork

1.8 mi · 3 min
Exit 349 Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin Use the straight / slight left lanes.
22

Merge onto I 294

21 mi · 25 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

12 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue Use the slight right lane.
25

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue
26

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward Touhy Avenue West Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Exit 42B Toward Touhy Avenue West Use the right lane.
28

Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue

325 ft · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
29

Turn slight right

339 ft · 9 sec
30

Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road

1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
31

Turn left onto Henry Avenue

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
32

Arrive at destination

Henry Avenue

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 151.3 miles from Mount Carmel, IL, or about 3h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 158.9 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 55m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 151.3 miles or 3h 23m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 8m

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 Mount Carmel, 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 Mount Carmel, IL

This is one driving day of about 302.6 miles and 6h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mount Carmel, 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 158.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 151.3 mi from Mount Carmel, IL · 3h 23m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Champaign, IL

151 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.

Popular next leg

Champaign, IL to Des Plaines, IL

151 mi · 2h 31m

Pacing Suggestions

Champaign, IL

Fuel and coffee

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

Champaign, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 151.3 miles from Mount Carmel, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 158.9 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Pullman National Historical Park

Pullman National Historical Park

National Historical Park

In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...

8 mi from route ~20 min detour Free near mile 271.3
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$45.96 one way

$91.92 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 106 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $50.67 $101.34
premium $4.80 $57.12 $114.25
diesel $5.64 $67.23 $134.45

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

$46

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 105.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

23 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

County Market - Tesla Supercharger

Champaign, IL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Meijer - Tesla Supercharger

Bradley, IL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Gilman, IL Rechargery Relay - US-24

Gilman, IL

IONNA

10 DCFC

Meijer - Tesla Supercharger

Champaign, IL

Tesla

8 DCFC

K & H Travel Plaza - Tesla Supercharger

Gilman, IL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Meijer 146 (Champaign, IL)

Champaign, IL

Electrify America

6 DCFC

Meijer 301 (Bradley, IL)

Bradley, IL

Electrify America

6 DCFC

Caseys Arcola

Arcola, IL

RED_E

4 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 6 Tesla: 4 Blink Network: 2 Electrify America: 2 VIALYNK: 1 EV Connect: 1 Non-Networked: 1 RED_E: 1 UNIVERSAL: 1 FORD_CHARGE: 1 CIRCLE_K: 1 eVgo Network: 1 IONNA: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 90.8 1 $31.77 $14.52
Efficient EV 75.7 0 $26.48 $12.10
EV Truck/SUV 121 1 $42.36 $19.37

Gas CO2

106 kg

EV CO2

35 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 3 days ago

Origin

Mount Carmel, IL

Afternoon in Mount Carmel on Monday

Local time

2:34 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Des Plaines, IL

Afternoon in Des Plaines on Monday

Local time

2:34 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

15 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

6h 17m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Mount Carmel, IL to Des Plaines, IL covers 302.6 miles and takes about 6h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, IL 33, Tri-State Tollway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 151.3 miles from Mount Carmel, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.96 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 302.6 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 264.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 265.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 299.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Mount Carmel, IL to Des Plaines, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Wisconsin along the way.

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