Niles, IL to Reading, IL is 106.2 miles and takes about 2h 18m via Adlai Stevenson Expressway, Tri-State Tollway, East 3200 North Road, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, specifically Illinois for its entirety. Expect a mix of highway driving and local roads as you make your way across the state. With a recommended one-day trip, you won't need to worry about overnight stays, and the fuel cost is quite manageable.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.1 miles from Niles, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 2 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,093 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,450
Quietest
2 AM
~146 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 43 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 Reading, IL.
1
Start on North Waukegan Road
0.4 mi·44 sec·North Waukegan Road
2
Continue on North Milwaukee Avenue
507 ft·17 sec·North Milwaukee Avenue
3
Turn right onto West Touhy Avenue
3.5 mi·6 min·West Touhy Avenue
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto South Des Plaines River Road
184 ft·3 sec·South Des Plaines River Road
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward I 294 South: Indiana
6
Merge onto I 294
11 mi·14 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
1.2 mi·1 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 23Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 55
59 mi·1 hr 9 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Exit 217Toward IL 17: Streator, KankakeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto IL 17
9.9 mi·14 min·East 3200 North Road
14
Continue on IL 17
3.0 mi·4 min·E 3200 N Road
15
At end of road, turn left onto IL 17
1.8 mi·2 min·East 3000 North Road
16
Continue on IL 17
5.7 mi·8 min·East 3000 N Road
17
Continue on IL 17
2.6 mi·3 min·East 3000 North Road
18
Turn right onto North 379 E Road
0.2 mi·44 sec·North 379 E Road
19
Turn slight right onto Co Rd 379 E Rd
0.3 mi·58 sec·Co Rd 379 E Rd
20
Arrive at destination
Co Rd 379 E Rd
Trip Plan
Given the short 2h 18m duration, leaving anytime in the morning should allow you to reach Reading, IL comfortably within daylight hours. There are no designated stops in the data, so you can decide if you want to break up the drive or push through. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is only $16, and it's wise to refuel before you're running on empty. Be aware of the shift from highway to surface roads; this transition might involve more local traffic or traffic signals.
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 53.1 miles from Niles, IL, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.3 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 23 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.1 miles or 1h 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 1h 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Reading, 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 106.2 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Niles, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Adlai Stevenson Expressway for about 59.3 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 82.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|West Touhy Avenue
Turn right onto West Touhy Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
20.8 mi into trip|~29m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
22 mi into trip|~30m in
Take the exit toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 23
Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
7
22.6 mi into trip|~32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
8
82.4 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Take the exit toward IL 17: Streator, Kankakee
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 217
Toward IL 17: Streator, Kankakee
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.20 one way
$32.40 round trip
$3.88/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.27
$17.84
$35.69
premium
$4.81
$20.09
$40.19
diesel
$5.40
$22.59
$45.18
Estimated Tolls: $1.05
Tri-state Tollway
(17.5 mi)$1.05
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
$16
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.9
0
$11.15
$5.10
Efficient EV
26.6
0
$9.29
$4.25
EV Truck/SUV
42.5
0
$14.87
$6.80
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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 26, 2026
Origin
Niles, IL
Night
in Niles on Saturday
Local time
11:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Mostly Cloudy then Areas Of Fog
NE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive 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
Destination
Reading, IL
Night
in Reading on Saturday
Local time
11:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°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
1 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a significant amount of highway time, with 56% of the drive on major expressways. You'll encounter the longest stretch of continuous highway at 59.3 miles on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The drive transitions from the faster pace of the Tri-State Tollway to surface roads like East 3200 North Road, so be prepared for a change in traffic density and exit frequency as you move off the main tollways.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.3 mi on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 0.5 miles in near West Touhy Avenue.
Driving Effort9/10
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 12 significant decision points across 106.2 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 0.5 miles (West Touhy Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.8 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Niles, IL and Reading, IL, road signs point toward St. Louis and Kankakee.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 106.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (56%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.3 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.05 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.
Yes — we found about 13 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 Reading, 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (West Touhy Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.8 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Reading, IL before heading back.
