Origin
Riverton, IL
Evening in Riverton on Sunday
Local time
6:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Riverton, IL to Des Plaines, IL
Drive Time
3h 50m
Distance
197.5 mi
318 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 38m
★
6 AM
3h 51m
8 AM
4h 16m
10 AM
4h 0m
12 PM
3h 57m
3 PM
4h 1m
5 PM
4h 15m
8 PM
3h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Riverton, IL
Mike Tyurin
Des Plaines, IL
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Spanning 197.5 miles across the Illinois landscape, this trip from Riverton to Des Plaines typically takes about 3 hours and 50 minutes. Because the route is straightforward and efficient, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $30 on fuel to bridge the gap between these two Midwestern locations. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major corridors like I-55 and the Tri-State Tollway. It is a highly practical, highway-focused drive that prioritizes speed and directness over scenic detours, making it ideal if you are looking to reach your destination with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
98.7 miles from Riverton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a classic interstate experience, as 85% of this journey is comprised of highway travel. The vast majority of your time behind the wheel will be spent on a 167.3-mile uninterrupted stretch along I-55. You will also navigate South Williamsville Road briefly before transitioning onto the high-speed flow of the Tri-State Tollway. While the route is relatively monotonous, the sheer efficiency of these main roads allows for steady cruising. Prepare for the transition from the more open surroundings near Riverton to the busier, more congested traffic patterns as you approach the Des Plaines area.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 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 167.3 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 25.8 miles in near I 55.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 197.5 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 25.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 176 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
25.8 mi into trip
|
~33m 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
55.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m 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 none lane.
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
176 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m 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
7
177.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
8
195.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 46m 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 Riverton, IL to Des Plaines, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Peoria
55.2 mi in
|
~1h 5m
|
via I 55
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 167.3 mi | 3h 4m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 16.6 mi | 20m |
| South Williamsville Road | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| South Des Plaines River Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| North 7th Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| Valor Parkway | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Old Route 66 | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 167.3 mi, about 3h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverton, IL and Des Plaines, IL.
1
Start on East Lincoln Street
25 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Lincoln Street
2
Turn left onto North 7th Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North 7th Street
3
Continue on County Highway 5A
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
County Highway 5A
4
Continue on CR 5A; CR 31
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
South Main Street
5
Continue on South Williamsville Road
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
South Williamsville Road
6
Turn left onto Valor Parkway
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Valor Parkway
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on Old Route 66
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Route 66
8
Turn left onto IL 123
273 ft
·
7 sec
·
County Highway 2
Use the none lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
10
Merge onto I 55
17 mi
·
18 min
·
I 55
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
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 none lane.
13
Take the exit
1.6 mi
·
3 min
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Use the right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
Use the none lane.
15
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward Touhy Avenue West
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 42B
Toward Touhy Avenue West
Use the right lane.
21
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
325 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Touhy Avenue
22
Turn slight right
339 ft
·
9 sec
23
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
South Des Plaines River Road
Use the none lane.
24
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Henry Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
Henry Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a sub-four-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours near the metro destination is always wise. Plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to break up the 197.5-mile journey and keep your focus sharp. With a fuel budget of $30, it is helpful to check your levels before leaving Riverton to avoid unnecessary stops at high-priced gas stations along the tollways. Keep in mind that because this route relies heavily on the Tri-State Tollway, you should have your toll payment method ready to ensure a smooth transition through the final leg of your trip.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 98.7 miles from Riverton, IL, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 167.3 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.7 miles or 1h 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 3h 4m
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 Riverton, 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 Riverton, IL
This is one driving day of about 197.5 miles and 3h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Riverton, 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 167.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 98.7 mi from Riverton, IL · 1h 53m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
99 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 98.7 miles from Riverton, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 167.3 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.00 one way
$60.00 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
69 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $33.07 | $66.14 |
| premium | $4.80 | $37.28 | $74.57 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $43.88 | $87.76 |
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
$30
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.3 | 0 | $20.74 | $9.48 |
| Efficient EV | 49.4 | 0 | $17.28 | $7.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79 | 0 | $27.65 | $12.64 |
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Evening in Des Plaines on Sunday
Local time
6:06 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
9 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
3h 50m 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 Riverton, IL to Des Plaines, IL covers 197.5 miles and takes about 3h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, Tri-State Tollway, South Williamsville Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 98.7 miles from Riverton, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.00 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 197.5 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 25.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 176 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Riverton, IL to Des Plaines, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
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