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Trip from Washburn, IL to Des Plaines, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 51m

Distance

137.9 mi

222 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 40m ★
6 AM
2h 51m
8 AM
3h 14m
10 AM
2h 59m
12 PM
2h 57m
3 PM
3h 0m
5 PM
3h 12m
8 PM
2h 45m

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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village mostly in Woodford County, Illinois, USA

Washburn, IL

Wikimedia Commons

city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Des Plaines, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Washburn, IL to Des Plaines, IL covers 137.9 miles and takes about 2h 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 80, I 55, I 39 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 47.3 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.56 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

68.9 miles from Washburn, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 51m. Total distance: 137.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 51m highway drive covering 137.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and I 55. The longest continuous stretch is about 47.3 miles on I 80.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 47.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 89.4 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 137.9 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 89.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 134.8 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.

7
89.4 mi into trip | ~1h 46m in

Take the exit toward I 55 North: Chicago

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

Use the right lane. Exit 126B Toward I 55 North: Chicago
7
116.4 mi into trip | ~2h 20m 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
134.8 mi into trip | ~2h 45m 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
135.5 mi into trip | ~2h 46m 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
135.6 mi into trip | ~2h 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

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 47.3 mi 50m
I 55 26.6 mi 32m
I 39 23.2 mi 24m
Tri-State Tollway 16.6 mi 20m
700 North Road 9.2 mi 13m
East State Street 5.4 mi 9m
2160 E Rd 3 mi 5m
South Des Plaines River Road 1.7 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 47.3 mi, about 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on IL 89

0.4 mi · 37 sec · North Jefferson Street
2

Continue on IL 89

5.4 mi · 9 min · East State Street
3

Continue on IL 89

3.0 mi · 5 min · 2160 E Rd
4

Turn right onto 700 North Road

9.2 mi · 13 min · 700 North Road
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec
6

Merge onto I 39; US 51

23 mi · 24 min · I 39; US 51
7

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 57 sec
Exit 59A Toward I 80 East: Chicago
8

Merge onto I 80

47 mi · 50 min · I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec
Exit 126B Toward I 55 North: Chicago Use the right lane.
10

Merge onto I 55

27 mi · 32 min · I 55
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Take the exit

1.6 mi · 3 min
Exit 277A Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin Use the right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
13

Merge onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

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

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue Use the slight right lane.
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 42 A-B Toward Touhy Avenue
17

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward Touhy Avenue West Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Exit 42B Toward Touhy Avenue West Use the right lane.
19

Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue

325 ft · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
20

Turn slight right

339 ft · 9 sec
21

Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road

1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
22

Turn left onto Henry Avenue

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
23

Arrive at destination

Henry Avenue

Trip Plan

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.9 miles from Washburn, IL, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.3 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 30 miles or 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 68.9 miles or 1h 24m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 16m

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 Washburn, 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 Washburn, IL

This is one driving day of about 137.9 miles and 2h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Washburn, 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 80 for about 47.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 68.9 mi from Washburn, IL · 1h 24m into the drive

city in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Joliet, IL

69 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

Custer, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Morris, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 68.9 miles from Washburn, 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.

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...

17 mi from route ~42 min detour Free near mile 118.9
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

$21.56 one way

$43.12 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 48 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $23.67 $47.34
premium $4.89 $26.54 $53.08
diesel $5.61 $30.45 $60.89

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

$22

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 48.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 41.4 0 $14.48 $6.62
Efficient EV 34.5 0 $12.07 $5.52
EV Truck/SUV 55.2 0 $19.31 $8.83

Gas CO2

48 kg

EV CO2

16 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.

Forecast as of Apr 13, 2026

Origin

Washburn, IL

Afternoon in Washburn on Friday

Local time

12:15 PM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Des Plaines, IL

Afternoon in Des Plaines on Friday

Local time

12:15 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SSW 15 mph 35% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:50AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:39AM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

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

3 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

2h 51m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Washburn, IL to Des Plaines, IL covers 137.9 miles and takes about 2h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 80, I 55, I 39. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 68.9 miles from Washburn, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.56 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.

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 15 significant decision points across 137.9 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 89.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 134.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Washburn, IL to Des Plaines, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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