Trip from Niles, IL to Benton, IL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

5h 50m

Distance

313 mi

504 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$49

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

5h 38m ★

6 AM

5h 51m

8 AM

6h 17m

10 AM

6h 0m

12 PM

5h 57m

3 PM

6h 1m

5 PM

6h 16m

8 PM

5h 43m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Trip Overview

The drive from Niles, IL to Benton, IL covers 313 miles and takes about 5h 50m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 57, Ken Gray Expressway, Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 266.5 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.93 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

156.5 miles from Niles, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 59m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 50m. Total distance: 313 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 5h 50m highway drive covering 313 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 266.5 miles on I 57.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 266.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 313 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 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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

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

226 mi into trip | ~4h 15m in | I 57

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 South: Memphis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 57 South: Memphis

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 57	266.5 mi	4h 51m
Ken Gray Expressway	20 mi	21m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)	8.8 mi	11m
Kennedy Expressway	8.1 mi	11m
North Caldwell Avenue	2.9 mi	4m
Dan Ryan Expressway	2.4 mi	2m
Edens Expressway	2.1 mi	2m
West Main Street	0.9 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 57 — 266.5 mi, about 4h 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Niles, IL and Benton, 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

201 mi · 3 hr 40 min · I 57

Exit 63 Toward I 57 South: Memphis Use the slight right lane.

10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57

66 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 57

Toward I 57 South: Memphis

11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 57

20 mi · 21 min · Ken Gray Expressway

12

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 50 sec

Toward IL 14: Christopher, Benton

13

Turn left onto IL 14

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Main Street

14

Enter roundabout onto IL 14; IL 37

349 ft · 5 sec · Public Square

15

Arrive at destination

IL 14; IL 37

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 156.5 miles from Niles, IL, or about 2h 59m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 266.5 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 69 miles or 1h 23m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 156.5 miles or 2h 59m 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 49m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Benton, 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 313 miles and 5h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 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 266.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 156.5 mi from Niles, IL · 2h 59m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Champaign, IL

157 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

Chicago, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Champaign, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 156.5 miles from Niles, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Benton, IL

The final approach into Benton, 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 Benton, 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.

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...

5 mi from route ~12 min detour Free near mile 32.4

Caution: Road Construction Near the Park

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.93 one way

$97.87 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 110 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$53.73	$107.46
premium	$4.89	$60.23	$120.47
diesel	$5.61	$69.11	$138.21

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$49

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$74–$99

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 109.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	93.9	1	$32.86	$15.02
Efficient EV	78.3	0	$27.39	$12.52
EV Truck/SUV	125.2	1	$43.82	$20.03

Gas CO2

110 kg

EV CO2

37 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Niles, IL

Evening in Niles on Thursday

Local time

5:57 PM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Benton, IL

Evening in Benton on Thursday

Local time

5:57 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°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

8 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 50m 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 Niles, IL to Benton, IL covers 313 miles and takes about 5h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 57, Ken Gray Expressway, Dan Ryan Expressway (Express). Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 156.5 miles from Niles, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.93 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 10 significant decision points across 313 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 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.

The route from Niles, IL to Benton, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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