Drive Time
3h 55m
Distance
204.1 mi
328 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
Photo: Tommes Frites
The drive from Niles, IL to Clear Lake, IL covers 204.1 miles and takes about 3h 55m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North Milwaukee Avenue, West Touhy Avenue, South Des Plaines River Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.00 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
102 miles from Niles, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 55m drive with frequent turns across 204.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 55m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Niles, IL to Clear Lake, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Milwaukee Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Touhy Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Des Plaines River Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 294 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Tri-State Tollway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 55 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 55 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Adlai Stevenson Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Niles, IL and Clear Lake, IL.
Start on North Waukegan Road
Continue on North Milwaukee Avenue
Turn right onto West Touhy Avenue
Turn left onto South Des Plaines River Road
Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 South: Indiana
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
Take the exit slight right toward IL 54 East: Clinton
Turn straight onto East Sangamon Avenue
Turn slight right onto Camp Butler Road
Continue on South Camp Butler Road
At the end of the road, turn right onto Old Route 36
Turn left onto North Dixon Street
Turn left onto West Houston Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102 miles or 1h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clear Lake, IL than in the middle of the route.
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 204.1 miles and 3h 55m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 102 mi from Niles, IL · 1h 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
102 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 102 miles from Niles, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Clear Lake, 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 Clear Lake, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$31.00 one way
$62.00 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $34.17 | $68.35 |
| premium | $4.80 | $38.53 | $77.06 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $45.34 | $90.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.2 | 0 | $21.43 | $9.80 |
| Efficient EV | 51 | 0 | $17.86 | $8.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.6 | 1 | $28.57 | $13.06 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Niles on Saturday
Local time
6:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Clear Lake on Saturday
Local time
6:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
53°F
Normal, IL
102 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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