Road Ranger
0 mi from route
Trip from Lena, IL to Niles, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 18m
Distance
116.6 mi
188 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 9m
★
6 AM
2h 19m
8 AM
2h 38m
10 AM
2h 25m
12 PM
2h 24m
3 PM
2h 26m
5 PM
2h 37m
8 PM
2h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lena, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Niles, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lena, IL to Niles, IL is 116.6 miles and takes about 2h 18m via Jane Addams Memorial Tollway and U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within Illinois, moving from the Midwest's familiar landscapes to the outskirts of the Chicago metropolitan area. Given the relatively short distance and duration, it's a straightforward drive suitable for a single day. Plan for a drive that transitions from more open roads to busier suburban approaches as you near your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.3 miles from Lena, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Jane Addams Memorial Tollway | 55.4 mi | 59m |
| U.S. Grant Memorial Highway | 39.8 mi | 47m |
| West State Road | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| East Touhy Avenue | 4.6 mi | 9m |
| West Touhy Avenue | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| IL 73 | 1 mi | 1m |
| I 39 | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| North Schuyler Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
— 55.4 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lena, IL and Niles, IL.
1
Start on West Lena Street
93 ft
·
3 sec
·
West Lena Street
2
Turn right onto IL 73
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
·
North Schuyler Street
3
Continue on IL 73
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
IL 73
4
Turn left onto US 20
25 mi
·
30 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
5
Continue on US 20
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
West State Road
6
Continue on US 20
14 mi
·
16 min
·
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Toward US 20 East: Chicago
7
Continue on I 39; US 51
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
I 39; US 51
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 East: Chicago
9
Merge onto I 90
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
36 mi
·
38 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 73
Toward Elmhurst Road
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
340 ft
·
8 sec
Toward Elmhurst Road South
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn straight onto South Elmhurst Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Elmhurst Road
14
Turn left onto IL 72
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
West Touhy Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on East Touhy Avenue
4.6 mi
·
9 min
·
East Touhy Avenue
16
Turn left onto IL 43
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
North Harlem Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto West Howard Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
West Howard Street
18
Turn right onto North Waukegan Road
14 ft
·
0 sec
·
North Waukegan Road
Use the right lane.
19
Arrive at destination
North Waukegan Road
Trip Plan
For this 2h 18m drive, leaving Lena, IL in the morning or mid-afternoon should allow you to avoid peak traffic into the Chicago area. Since the total distance is just over 116 miles and the fuel cost is estimated at $18, you won't need to worry about extensive refueling stops. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Niles, IL, as services can become more spread out on the surface road sections. This is a manageable drive, so you have flexibility to depart when it suits you best and take your time.
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 58.3 miles from Lena, IL, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.4 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 26 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.3 miles or 1h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Niles, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lena, 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 Lena, IL
This is one driving day of about 116.6 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Lena, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway for about 55.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.3 miles from Lena, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Belvidere Oasis
0 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Speedway
0.3 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.7 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.7 mi from route
Rest Area
1.9 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 52.5 and 116.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
52.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
|
I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge onto I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
72.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
|
I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
107.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
Take the exit toward Elmhurst Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 73
Toward Elmhurst Road
7
108.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Elmhurst Road South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Elmhurst Road South
6
116.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m in
|
North Waukegan Road
Turn right onto North Waukegan Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.79 one way
$35.58 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.27 | $19.59 | $39.18 |
| premium | $4.81 | $22.06 | $44.12 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $24.80 | $49.61 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.88
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(55.4 mi)
$3.88
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
$18
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35 | 0 | $12.24 | $5.60 |
| Efficient EV | 29.2 | 0 | $10.20 | $4.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.32 | $7.46 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Lena, IL
Night in Lena on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Niles, IL
Night in Niles on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Mostly Cloudy then Areas Of Fog
NE 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 9:27PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 9:27PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
40°F
Cherry Valley, IL
58 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
2 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 18m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 116.6
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Your route begins with 55.4 miles on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, representing your entire highway experience. After this stretch, you'll transition to surface roads, continuing on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway and West State Road for the remainder of your 116.6-mile trip. The shift from tollway to surface roads means you'll notice a change in traffic patterns and potentially more frequent intersections as you cover the latter half of the drive.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.4 mi on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 52.5 miles in near I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 116.6 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 52.5 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.2 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Lena, IL to Niles, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Elmhurst Road South along the way.
Elmhurst Road South
108.3 mi in
|
~2h 3m
About the Cities
Starting in Lena, IL
Full guide →Founded 1834
Arriving in Niles, IL
Full guide →Niles is a city of 30,912 (2020) in Illinois.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 116.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.4 miles on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.88 in tolls one way, starting with Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 12 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Niles, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. There are 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 52.5 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.2 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Niles, IL before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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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