This 294.6-mile journey from Shiloh, IL, to Des Plaines, IL, is designed for a single day, taking an estimated 5 hours and 39 minutes of driving time. You'll primarily be on major highways, with the Tri-State Tollway and I-55 accounting for the vast majority of your travel. With an estimated fuel cost of $46, this is a straightforward, highway-focused trip through the Midwest. Plan for one main stop to break up the drive. Given the distance and duration, it's a manageable day trip for most drivers.
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
147.3 miles from Shiloh, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 39m. Total distance: 294.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect an 89% highway experience on this route. The majority of your time will be spent on I-55, which forms the longest uninterrupted stretch at 259.5 miles. This section of the drive is characterized by its speed and efficiency, typical of major interstate travel. While largely highway-focused, you will utilize Scott Troy Road for a portion of the journey before rejoining the main interstates. The road primarily offers a consistent, fast-paced driving environment.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 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 259.5 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 122.9 miles in near I 55.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 294.6 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 122.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 273.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
122.9 mi into trip|~2h 22m 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
8
152.3 mi into trip|~2h 53m 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
7
273.1 mi into trip|~5h 8m 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
291.6 mi into trip|~5h 32m 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
8
292.3 mi into trip|~5h 34m 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 Shiloh, IL and Des Plaines, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.
Springfield
15.1 mi in|~25m|via I 55
Kansas City
15.1 mi in|~25m|via I 55
Peoria
152.3 mi in|~2h 53m|via I 55
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
259.5 mi
4h 44m
Tri-State Tollway
16.6 mi
20m
Scott Troy Road
5.3 mi
9m
Troy Ofallon Road
4.2 mi
7m
South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi
3m
South Main Street
1.6 mi
2m
West US Highway 40
1.5 mi
2m
Highway 50
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 259.5 mi, about 4h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shiloh, IL and Des Plaines, IL.
1
Start on South Main Street
1.6 mi·2 min·South Main Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto Highway 50
0.4 mi·46 sec·Highway 50
3
Turn left onto Scott Troy Road
5.3 mi·9 min·Scott Troy Road
4
Continue on Troy Ofallon Road
4.2 mi·7 min·Troy Ofallon Road
5
Turn left onto US 40
1.5 mi·2 min·West US Highway 40
6
Take the ramp onto US 40
0.2 mi·21 sec·US Highway 40
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East: Chicago, Indianapolis
8
Merge onto I 55; I 70
1.4 mi·1 min·I 55; I 70
9
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
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
121 mi·2 hr 14 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.6 mi·3 min
Exit 277AToward I 294 Tollway North: WisconsinUse the right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
14
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
12 mi·15 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy AvenueUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy Avenue
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Touhy Avenue WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 42BToward Touhy Avenue WestUse the right lane.
20
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
325 ft·7 sec·East Touhy Avenue
21
Turn slight right
339 ft·9 sec
22
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi·3 min·South Des Plaines River Road
23
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
0.1 mi·24 sec·Henry Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Henry Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5.5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Shiloh to avoid potential traffic as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area. With only one recommended stop, you can be strategic about when and where you pull over to rest. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the long 259.5-mile stretch on I-55, as services can be more spread out. The $46 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's wise to budget a little extra. This route is best tackled as a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your timing.
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 147.3 miles from Shiloh, IL, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 259.5 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 65 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.3 miles or 2h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 32m
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 Shiloh, 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 Shiloh, IL
This is one driving day of about 294.6 miles and 5h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Shiloh, 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 259.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 147.3 mi from Shiloh, IL
· 2h 48m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.06 one way
$92.11 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$50.57
$101.14
premium
$4.89
$56.69
$113.39
diesel
$5.61
$65.04
$130.09
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
$46
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.4
1
$30.93
$14.14
Efficient EV
73.7
0
$25.78
$11.78
EV Truck/SUV
117.8
1
$41.24
$18.85
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 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 15, 2026
Origin
Shiloh, IL
Afternoon
in Shiloh on Friday
Local time
1:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Des Plaines, IL
Afternoon
in Des Plaines on Friday
Local time
1:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bloomington, IL
147 mi in
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
25 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
5h 39m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Shiloh, IL to Des Plaines, IL covers 294.6 miles and takes about 5h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, Tri-State Tollway, Scott Troy 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 147.3 miles from Shiloh, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.06 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 294.6 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 122.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 273.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Shiloh, IL and Des Plaines, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.
