Origin
Oak Forest, IL
Evening in Oak Forest on Sunday
Local time
5:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Oak Forest, IL to Des Plaines, IL
Drive Time
46m
Distance
37.2 mi
60 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 42m
★
6 AM
0h 46m
8 AM
0h 54m
10 AM
0h 49m
12 PM
0h 48m
3 PM
0h 49m
5 PM
0h 53m
8 PM
0h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Oak Forest, IL
Lauri Poldre
Des Plaines, IL
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Driving from Oak Forest to Des Plaines covers 37.2 miles of suburban Illinois, typically taking about 46 minutes behind the wheel. This is a straightforward day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay, making it ideal for a quick commute or errands. You can expect to spend roughly $6 on fuel for the journey. The route primarily relies on West 159th Street, Cicero Avenue, and I-294 North to navigate through the Midwest landscape. Because you stay within the same region, the drive remains familiar and consistent throughout. It is a highly practical trip that fits easily into a single day of 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
18.6 miles from Oak Forest, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 23m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you navigate suburban intersections. You won't find long, uninterrupted stretches on this path, as the longest segment on West 159th Street is negligible. With 0% of the trip classified as highway-share, you will spend your time navigating local surface streets rather than cruising on open interstates. The route’s personality is functional and busy, requiring you to manage frequent stops and turns. Do not expect a high-speed highway experience; instead, prepare for a steady, stop-and-go pace as you transition between these suburban hubs.
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.
West 159th Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
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 Oak Forest, IL to Des Plaines, IL is easy. At 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 Oak Forest, IL to Des Plaines, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West 159th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Cicero Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 294 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Tri-State Tollway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Touhy Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Touhy Avenue West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Touhy Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Des Plaines River Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
West 159th Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oak Forest, IL and Des Plaines, IL.
1
Start on the route
118 ft
·
11 sec
·
the route
2
Turn uturn onto West 159th Street
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
West 159th Street
3
Turn left onto Cicero Avenue
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Cicero Avenue
4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 294 North: Wisconsin
5
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
17 mi
·
21 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
6
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
7
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Touhy Avenue
8
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Touhy Avenue
9
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Touhy Avenue West
10
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Touhy Avenue West
11
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
325 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Touhy Avenue
12
Turn slight right
338 ft
·
9 sec
13
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
South Des Plaines River Road
14
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Henry Avenue
15
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 46-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to plan for any scheduled stops along the way, as the 37.2-mile distance is easily manageable in one sitting. Keep an eye on your navigation for the transition onto I-294 North, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can be tricky during peak traffic. Budget your $6 for fuel before you head out to ensure a stress-free arrival in Des Plaines. By staying alert at the frequent local intersections, you can complete the drive efficiently and avoid unnecessary delays.
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 18.6 miles from Oak Forest, IL, or about 23m 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 37.2 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 18.6 miles or 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 39m
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 Oak Forest, 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 Oak Forest, IL
This is one driving day of about 37.2 miles and 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Oak Forest, 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 18.6 mi from Oak Forest, IL · 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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 37.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 18.6 miles from Oak Forest, 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
$5.65 one way
$11.30 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $6.23 | $12.46 |
| premium | $4.80 | $7.02 | $14.05 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.26 | $16.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 13 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.2 | 0 | $3.91 | $1.79 |
| Efficient EV | 9.3 | 0 | $3.26 | $1.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.9 | 0 | $5.21 | $2.38 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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
5:32 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
20 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
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 Oak Forest, IL to Des Plaines, IL covers 37.2 miles and takes about 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West 159th Street, Cicero Avenue, I 294 North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 18.6 miles from Oak Forest, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.65 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 Oak Forest, IL to Des Plaines, IL is easy. At 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 Oak Forest, IL to Des Plaines, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Oak Forest, IL to Des Plaines, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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