Trip from Preston, IL to Des Plaines, IL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

6h 41m

Distance

333.6 mi

537 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$52

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

6h 29m ★

6 AM

6h 41m

8 AM

7h 5m

10 AM

6h 50m

12 PM

6h 47m

3 PM

6h 51m

5 PM

7h 4m

8 PM

6h 34m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Preston, IL

Stéphane Tendon

city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Des Plaines, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Preston, IL to Des Plaines, IL covers 333.6 miles and takes about 6h 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 55, Tri-State Tollway, North Illinois Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 261.9 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $52.15 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

166.8 miles from Preston, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 29m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 41m. Total distance: 333.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 41m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Drive Character

This is a 6h 41m highway drive covering 333.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and Tri-State Tollway. The longest continuous stretch is about 261.9 miles on I 55.

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 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 261.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 161.9 miles in near I 55.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 333.6 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 161.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 191.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 312.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

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

161.9 mi into trip | ~3h 24m in | I 55

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 North: Chicago

191.3 mi into trip | ~3h 55m in | I 55

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

312.1 mi into trip | ~6h 10m in

Take the exit toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 277A Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin

330.6 mi into trip | ~6h 35m 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

331.3 mi into trip | ~6h 36m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Preston, IL and Des Plaines, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.

Springfield

54.1 mi in | ~1h 27m | via I 55

Kansas City

54.1 mi in | ~1h 27m | via I 55

Peoria

191.3 mi in | ~3h 55m | via I 55

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 55	261.9 mi	4h 46m
Tri-State Tollway	16.6 mi	20m
North Illinois Street	9.8 mi	15m
West Myrtle Street	8.7 mi	12m
South Main Street	8.3 mi	12m
North Main Street	6.6 mi	9m
State Route 159	6.1 mi	9m
Baldwin Road	5.2 mi	12m

Longest stretch: I 55 — 261.9 mi, about 4h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Pautler Road

155 ft · 8 sec · Pautler Road

Turn right onto Preston Road

0.5 mi · 2 min · Preston Road

Turn left onto Baldwin Road

5.2 mi · 12 min · Baldwin Road

Continue on South 5th Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · South 5th Street

Turn left onto IL 154

8.7 mi · 12 min · West Myrtle Street

Turn right onto IL 159

6.4 mi · 9 min · North Main Street

Continue on IL 159

0.2 mi · 13 sec · N Main St

Continue on IL 156; IL 159

0.2 mi · 19 sec · North Main Street

Continue on IL 156; IL 159

6.1 mi · 9 min · State Route 159

Continue on IL 159

8.3 mi · 12 min · South Main Street

Enter roundabout onto IL 159

177 ft · 4 sec · North Illinois Street

Continue on IL 159

9.8 mi · 15 min · North Illinois Street

Continue on IL 159

1.3 mi · 1 min · South Morrison Avenue

Continue on IL 159

2.8 mi · 4 min · Vandalia Street

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 54 sec

Toward I 55 North, I 70 East

Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40

3.8 mi · 4 min · I 55; I 70; US 40

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

108 mi · 1 hr 56 min · I 55

Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

29 mi · 31 min · I 55

Toward I 55 North: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

121 mi · 2 hr 14 min · I 55

Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.6 mi · 3 min

Exit 277A Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin Use the right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin

Merge onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

12 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec

Toward Touhy Avenue West Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Exit 42B Toward Touhy Avenue West Use the right lane.

Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue

325 ft · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue

Turn slight right

339 ft · 9 sec

Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road

1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road

Turn left onto Henry Avenue

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Henry Avenue

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 166.8 miles from Preston, IL, or about 3h 29m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 261.9 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 73 miles or 1h 48m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 166.8 miles or 3h 29m 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 27m

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 Preston, 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 Preston, IL

This is one driving day of about 333.6 miles and 6h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Preston, 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 55 for about 261.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 166.8 mi from Preston, IL · 3h 29m into the drive

city in Macon County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Decatur, IL

167 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

Decatur, IL to Des Plaines, IL

186.3 mi · 3h 43m

Pacing Suggestions

Belleville, IL

Fuel and coffee

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

Decatur, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 168.7 miles from Preston, 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.

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.

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

National Monument

In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free near mile 128

View on nps.gov

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...

17 mi from route ~43 min detour Free near mile 314.2

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$52.15 one way

$104.31 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 117 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$57.26	$114.53
premium	$4.89	$64.20	$128.40
diesel	$5.61	$73.65	$147.31

Estimated Tolls: $0.99

Tri-state Tollway (16.6 mi) $0.99

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

$52

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$78–$103

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 116.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	100.1	1	$35.03	$16.01
Efficient EV	83.4	0	$29.19	$13.34
EV Truck/SUV	133.4	1	$46.70	$21.35

Gas CO2

117 kg

EV CO2

39 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 as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Preston, IL

Afternoon in Preston on Thursday

Local time

1:51 PM

CDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Des Plaines, IL

Afternoon in Des Plaines on Thursday

Local time

1:51 PM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms

NW 10 to 15 mph 44% 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

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

13 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

6h 41m 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 Preston, IL to Des Plaines, IL covers 333.6 miles and takes about 6h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 55, Tri-State Tollway, North Illinois Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 166.8 miles from Preston, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $52.15 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.