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Trip from Niles, IL to Bennington, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 49m
Distance
278.4 mi
448 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 37m
★
6 AM
5h 50m
8 AM
6h 16m
10 AM
5h 59m
12 PM
5h 56m
3 PM
6h 0m
5 PM
6h 15m
8 PM
5h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Niles, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Bennington, IL
Phil Evenden
Trip Overview
Niles, IL to Bennington, IL is 278.4 miles and takes about 5h 49m via I 57, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, entirely within Illinois, making it a straightforward point-to-point drive. With a recommended one-day duration, it's a manageable stretch for most drivers. The route is mostly highway, so expect consistent cruising for much of the way. Consider this drive if you need a direct connection between these two points without extensive detours.
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
139.2 miles from Niles, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 168.9 mi | 3h 6m |
| County Road 1150 | 14.3 mi | 19m |
| North 1250th Street | 13.3 mi | 19m |
| South Van Buren Street | 11 mi | 15m |
| Route 130 | 10 mi | 14m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) | 8.8 mi | 11m |
| Kennedy Expressway | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| County Road 1100 East | 6.7 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 168.9 mi, about 3h 6m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~865 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~101 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 5 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Niles, IL and Bennington, IL.
1
Start on North Waukegan Road
14 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Waukegan Road
2
Turn right onto West Howard Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Howard Street
3
Turn right onto US 14
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
North Caldwell Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 94 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 94
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Edens Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Continue on I 90; I 94
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
8.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
169 mi
·
3 hr 6 min
·
I 57
Exit 63
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 190A
Toward IL 16 East: Charleston
11
Turn straight onto IL 16
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Charleston Avenue East
12
Continue on IL 16
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Illinois Route 16
13
Continue on IL 16
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
West Lincoln Avenue
14
Turn right onto IL 130
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
18th Street
15
Continue on IL 130
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Illinois Route 130
16
Continue on IL 130
10.0 mi
·
14 min
·
Route 130
17
Continue on IL 130
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road 1825 East
18
Continue on IL 130
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road 1775 E
19
Continue on IL 130
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
North Haughton Highway
20
Continue on IL 130
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
1700E
21
Continue on IL 130
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
North Haughton Highway
22
Continue on IL 130
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
County Road 1700E
23
Continue on IL 130
13 mi
·
19 min
·
North 1250th Street
24
Turn left onto IL 130
11 mi
·
15 min
·
South Van Buren Street
25
Continue on IL 130
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
County Road 1100 East
26
Continue on IL 130
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
North West Street
27
Continue on IL 130
14 mi
·
19 min
·
County Road 1150
Use the straight lane.
28
Turn right onto County Road 1850 N
3.8 mi
·
9 min
·
County Road 1850 N
29
Turn right onto 125E
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
125E
30
Turn left onto 1900N
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
1900N
31
Turn left onto 095E
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
095E
32
Turn left onto 100E
105 ft
·
4 sec
·
100E
33
Arrive at destination
100E
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 49-minute duration, departing in the morning should allow you to reach Bennington, IL well before evening. There's one recommended stop, which is ample for a drive of this length, allowing you to break up the 168.9-mile stretch on I 57. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer highway segment, as services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost is around $44, so plan accordingly. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility to depart a little later if needed, but an earlier start ensures a more relaxed pace.
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 139.2 miles from Niles, IL, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 168.9 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 61 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.2 miles or 2h 40m 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 Bennington, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Niles, 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 Niles, IL
This is one driving day of about 278.4 miles and 5h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Niles, 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 168.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
139 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 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 139.2 miles from Niles, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 168.9 miles.
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.
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Main Line Station Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Illini Prairie Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Illini Prairie Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Main Line Station Rest Area - Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Prairie View Rest Area - Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Prairie View Rest Area - Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Peotone Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 3.5 and 194.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.5 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 94 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 94 East
5
3.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 94 / Edens Expressway
Merge onto I 94 / Edens Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
16.4 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express
8
25.2 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
I 57
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 63
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
5
194.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 41m in
Take the exit toward IL 16 East: Charleston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 190A
Toward IL 16 East: Charleston
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.11 one way
$82.23 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
97 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $45.39 | $90.78 |
| premium | $4.72 | $51.69 | $103.38 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $52.57 | $105.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.5 | 1 | $29.23 | $13.36 |
| Efficient EV | 69.6 | 0 | $24.36 | $11.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.4 | 1 | $38.98 | $17.82 |
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Niles, IL
Morning in Niles on Sunday
Local time
10:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Smoke
SW 0 to 10 mph
40% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Bennington, IL
Morning in Bennington on Sunday
Local time
10:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 0 to 6 mph
63% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
85°F
Shelby, IN
139 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 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 49m 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 28.8
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?
About 74% of this drive is on highways, meaning you'll spend most of your time on I 57. The longest continuous stretch on this highway is 168.9 miles. After the highway portion concludes, you'll transition to County Road 1150 and North 1250th Street for the remainder of the trip. Expect a change in driving pace as you move from consistent highway speeds to surface roads.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 168.9 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and County Road 1150. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 278.4 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles (I 94 / Edens Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.4 miles (I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
776 ft
417 ft
Total Climb
276 ft
Total Descent
494 ft
Highest Point
776 ft
~119.3 mi in
Elevation Range
358 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Niles, IL
Full guide →Founded 1832
Niles is a city of 30,912 (2020) in Illinois.
Top landmarks
- • Leaning Tower of Niles — replica tower of Pisa's, in Niles, Illinois, United States
- • Katyń Monument in Niles — monument in Niles, Illinois, United States
Arriving in Bennington, IL
Full guide →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 5h 49m. Total distance: 278.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 168.9 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 26 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 Bennington, 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. There are 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles (I 94 / Edens Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.4 miles (I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bennington, IL before the return drive.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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