Niles, IL to Newell, IL is 153.3 miles and takes about 3h 31m via Wicker Avenue and US 41, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, beginning and ending in Illinois. You'll encounter a mix of highway cruising and surface road driving. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, offering a straightforward transit between these two Illinois locations.
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
76.7 miles from Niles, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Wicker Avenue
58.8 mi
1h 18m
US 41
21.6 mi
26m
SR 63
16.3 mi
20m
Bishop Ford Freeway
10.8 mi
14m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi
11m
Kennedy Expressway
8.1 mi
11m
West 1200 South
5.6 mi
7m
Torrence Avenue
3.7 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Wicker Avenue
— 58.8 mi, about 1h 18m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 3 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~8,925 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~1,444 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 49 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 Newell, 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 EastUse 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 ExpressUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
11 mi·14 min·Bishop Ford Freeway
Toward I 94 East: IndianaUse the slight left lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
1.1 mi·1 min·I 94
Toward I 80 East, I 94 East: IndianaUse the slight left lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·43 sec
Exit 161Toward US 6 West, IL 83: Torrence AvenueUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 161Toward US 6 West, IL 83 West: Torrence AvenueUse the slight left lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
502 ft·12 sec
Toward IL 83 South
14
Turn straight onto IL 83
3.7 mi·5 min·Torrence Avenue
15
Turn left onto IL 83
1.8 mi·2 min·Glenwood Dyer Road
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on US 30
1.0 mi·2 min·Lincoln Highway
17
Continue on US 30
2.7 mi·5 min·Joliet Street
18
Continue on US 30
0.1 mi·20 sec·West Lincoln Highway
19
Turn right onto US 41
59 mi·1 hr 18 min·Wicker Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
22 mi·26 min·US 41
21
Continue on SR 63
16 mi·20 min·SR 63
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·51 sec
23
Turn right onto US 136
5.6 mi·7 min·West 1200 South
24
Turn right onto Lynch Road
1.1 mi·1 min·Lynch Road
25
Continue on East Voorhees Street
1.4 mi·2 min·East Voorhees Street
26
Turn right onto North Michigan Avenue
1.0 mi·3 min·North Michigan Avenue
27
Turn left onto East Winter Avenue
102 ft·4 sec·East Winter Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
East Winter Avenue
Trip Plan
With a driving time of just over 3.5 hours, this route is easily manageable in a single day, so you have flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the worst of rush hour traffic in the Chicago area before heading south. The estimated fuel cost is around $23, so plan accordingly. The longest stretch without a significant break is nearly 59 miles, so take a short pause before you hit that segment if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move from highway sections onto surface roads where services might be less frequent.
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 76.7 miles from Niles, IL, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.8 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 34 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.7 miles or 1h 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 2h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newell, 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 153.3 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 Wicker Avenue for about 58.8 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.4 and 37.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
7
25.2 mi into trip|~35m in|I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway toward I 94 East: Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 94 East: Indiana
8
36 mi into trip|~49m in|I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 toward I 80 East, I 94 East: Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 80 East, I 94 East: Indiana
9
37.1 mi into trip|~51m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 6 West, IL 83: Torrence Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 161
Toward US 6 West, IL 83: Torrence Avenue
9
37.6 mi into trip|~51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 6 West, IL 83 West: Torrence Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 161
Toward US 6 West, IL 83 West: Torrence Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.39 one way
$46.77 round trip
$3.88/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.27
$25.76
$51.52
premium
$4.81
$29.01
$58.01
diesel
$5.40
$32.61
$65.22
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46
0
$16.10
$7.36
Efficient EV
38.3
0
$13.41
$6.13
EV Truck/SUV
61.3
0
$21.46
$9.81
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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 25, 2026
Origin
Niles, IL
Evening
in Niles on Saturday
Local time
6:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Sunny
NNE 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 10:19AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 10:19AM CDT until April 29 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Newell, IL
Evening
in Newell on Saturday
Local time
6:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°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
9 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 31m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 46% of this 153.3-mile drive is on highways, with the remaining portion on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll experience is 58.8 miles on Wicker Avenue. You can expect a change from highway speeds to more varied traffic patterns as you transition between these road types. Be prepared for more frequent intersections and potential slowdowns once you leave the main highways.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.8 mi on Wicker Avenue.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 16.4 miles in near I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express).
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 153.3 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 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; at 25.2 miles (I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 36 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 31m. Total distance: 153.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.8 miles on Wicker Avenue. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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 Newell, 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 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 25.2 miles (I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 36 miles (I 94): 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Newell, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
