Newell to Palatine is 160 miles and takes about 3 hours 49 minutes via I 57 and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, moving you from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a fairly straightforward trip, mostly on major roadways, making it a solid option for a single-day journey without too much stress. Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition from interstate to tollway.
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
80 miles from Newell, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
37 mi
42m
Tri-State Tollway
22.9 mi
28m
North Vermilion Street
20.8 mi
31m
North 2100 E Road
14.8 mi
22m
I 290
13.4 mi
17m
County Road 2300 East
11.4 mi
17m
2300 East
9.9 mi
14m
South State Route 1
6.7 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 37 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newell, IL and Palatine, IL.
1
Start on East Winter Avenue
2.5 mi·9 min·East Winter Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 136; IL 1
21 mi·31 min·North Vermilion Street
3
Continue on IL 1
11 mi·17 min·County Road 2300 East
4
Continue on IL 1
1.0 mi·1 min·South Chicago St
5
Continue on IL 1
9.9 mi·14 min·2300 East
6
Turn left onto US 24; IL 1
2.7 mi·6 min·East Walnut Street
7
Turn right onto IL 1
1.0 mi·1 min·North 2100 East Road
8
Continue on IL 1
15 mi·22 min·North 2100 E Road
9
Continue on IL 1
0.9 mi·1 min·S 7000E Road
10
Continue on IL 1
0.5 mi·52 sec·E 7000S Road
11
Turn left onto IL 1
0.3 mi·30 sec·South Dixie Highway
12
Continue on IL 1
6.7 mi·9 min·South State Route 1
13
Turn left onto IL 17
5.8 mi·8 min·IL 17
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·1 min
Toward I-57 North: Chicago
15
Merge onto I 57
37 mi·42 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 349-350Toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, WisconsinUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
1.8 mi·3 min
Exit 349Toward I 294 Toll North: WisconsinUse the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Merge onto I 294
21 mi·25 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
1.2 mi·1 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit onto I 294
321 ft·7 sec·Tri-State Tollway
Exit 31Toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
0.8 mi·1 min·Tri-State Tollway
Exit 31Toward I 290 West, I 294 North: Rockford, Milwaukee
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 290 West: Rockford
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward Saint Charles Road West
24
Merge onto I 290
13 mi·17 min·I 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
2.2 mi·2 min·IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward Kirchoff RoadUse the right lane.
27
Turn left onto Kirchoff Road
0.2 mi·25 sec·Kirchoff Road
28
Turn right onto West Frontage Road
400 ft·8 sec·West Frontage Road
29
Continue on Hicks Road
1.5 mi·3 min·Hicks Road
30
Turn left onto US 14
0.3 mi·54 sec·East Northwest Highway
31
Turn left onto East Palatine Road
73 ft·1 sec·East Palatine Road
Use the left lane.
32
Arrive at destination
East Palatine Road
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour 49 minute duration, this is comfortably a one-day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to allow for a relaxed pace and potential traffic, especially as you near Palatine. The $25 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to fill up before leaving Newell to ensure you have ample range. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition onto the Tri-State Tollway, as services can sometimes be more spaced out on toll roads.
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 80 miles from Newell, IL, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37 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 35 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80 miles or 2h 8m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palatine, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Newell, 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 Newell, IL
This is one driving day of about 160 miles and 3h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Newell, 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 57 for about 37 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 115.8 and 140 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
115.8 mi into trip|~2h 48m in
Take the exit toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 349-350
Toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevar...
8
116.1 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 349
Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
6
138.7 mi into trip|~3h 18m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
139.9 mi into trip|~3h 19m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Take the exit onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 31
Toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Roc...
7
140 mi into trip|~3h 19m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 290 West, I 294 North: Rockford, Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 31
Toward I 290 West, I 294 North: Rockford, Milwa...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.01 one way
$50.03 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$27.46
$54.93
premium
$4.89
$30.79
$61.58
diesel
$5.61
$35.33
$70.65
Estimated Tolls: $1.37
Tri-state Tollway
(22.9 mi)$1.37
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
$25
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48
0
$16.80
$7.68
Efficient EV
40
0
$14.00
$6.40
EV Truck/SUV
64
0
$22.40
$10.24
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Newell, IL
Late night
in Newell on Sunday
Local time
3:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Palatine, IL
Late night
in Palatine on Sunday
Local time
3:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°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
4 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 49m 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.
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 121.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed drive experience, with 41% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches of faster-paced driving, including a longest uninterrupted segment of 37 miles on I 57. As you progress, the character of the drive will shift from the interstate to the Tri-State Tollway, a significant portion of this trip. The presence of North Vermilion Street indicates a transition to more local or arterial roads as you approach your destination.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 115.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 20 significant decision points across 160 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 115.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.7 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Newell, IL and Palatine, IL, road signs point toward Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Chicago and Saint Charles Road West.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 49m. Total distance: 160 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.37 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Palatine, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 115.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.7 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Palatine, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
