Origin
Alton, IL
Late night in Alton on Wednesday
Local time
5:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alton, IL to Niles, IL
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
5h 37m
Distance
290.5 mi
468 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 24m
★
6 AM
5h 38m
8 AM
6h 4m
10 AM
5h 47m
12 PM
5h 44m
3 PM
5h 48m
5 PM
6h 3m
8 PM
5h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alton, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Niles, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Alton, IL to Niles, IL covers 290.5 miles and takes about 5h 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 55, Tri-State Tollway, State Route 140 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 246.8 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.42 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
145.3 miles from Alton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 47m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 5h 37m highway drive covering 290.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and Tri-State Tollway. The longest continuous stretch is about 246.8 miles on I 55.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 246.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 117.3 miles in near I 55.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 290.5 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 117.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 267.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
117.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m in
|
I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
146.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m in
|
I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
267.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 3m in
Take the exit toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
7
285.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 28m in
Take the exit toward Touhy Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
8
286.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 29m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Touhy Avenue East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 42A
Toward Touhy Avenue East
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 Alton, IL to Niles, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Peoria
146.6 mi in
|
~2h 49m
|
via I 55
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 246.8 mi | 4h 30m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 16.6 mi | 20m |
| State Route 140 | 9.7 mi | 13m |
| College Avenue | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| East Touhy Avenue | 3 mi | 5m |
| West Bethalto Drive | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| West MacArthur Drive | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| West Macarthur Drive | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 246.8 mi, about 4h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alton, IL and Niles, IL.
1
Start on Alby Street
190 ft
·
10 sec
·
Alby Street
2
Turn right onto East Broadway
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
East Broadway
3
Turn right onto US 67
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
Piasa Street
4
Continue on US 67
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Martin Luther King Drive
5
Turn right onto College Avenue
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
College Avenue
6
Turn right
67 ft
·
1 sec
7
Enter roundabout onto College Avenue
380 ft
·
9 sec
·
College Avenue
8
Continue on College Avenue
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
College Avenue
9
Continue on IL 111; IL 140
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West Macarthur Drive
10
Continue on IL 111; IL 140
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West MacArthur Drive
11
Continue on IL 140
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
West Bethalto Drive
12
Continue on IL 140
9.6 mi
·
13 min
·
State Route 140
13
Continue on IL 140
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West State Street
14
Continue on IL 140
443 ft
·
13 sec
·
State Route 140
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
16
Merge onto I 55
97 mi
·
1 hr 44 min
·
I 55
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
121 mi
·
2 hr 14 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
1.6 mi
·
3 min
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Use the right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
21
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 42A
Toward Touhy Avenue East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
East Touhy Avenue
27
Turn left onto IL 43
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
North Harlem Avenue
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right onto West Howard Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
West Howard Street
29
Turn right onto North Waukegan Road
14 ft
·
0 sec
·
North Waukegan Road
Use the right lane.
30
Arrive at destination
North Waukegan Road
Trip Plan
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 145.3 miles from Alton, IL, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 246.8 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 80 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.3 miles or 2h 47m 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 31m
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 Alton, 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 Alton, IL
This is one driving day of about 290.5 miles and 5h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Alton, 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 55 for about 246.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 145.3 mi from Alton, IL · 2h 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
145 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 145.3 miles from Alton, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 246.8 miles.
Arriving in Niles, IL
The final approach into Niles, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Niles, IL.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.42 one way
$90.83 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
102 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $49.87 | $99.73 |
| premium | $4.89 | $55.90 | $111.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $64.14 | $128.28 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.99
Tri-state Tollway
(16.6 mi)
$0.99
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
$45
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 87.1 | 1 | $30.50 | $13.94 |
| Efficient EV | 72.6 | 0 | $25.42 | $11.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 116.2 | 1 | $40.67 | $18.59 |
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Niles, IL
Late night in Niles on Wednesday
Local time
5:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 15 mph
39% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
53°F
Bloomington, IL
145 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
19 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
5h 37m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Alton, IL to Niles, IL covers 290.5 miles and takes about 5h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, Tri-State Tollway, State Route 140. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 145.3 miles from Alton, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.42 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 290.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 117.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 267.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Alton, IL to Niles, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
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