How far is Decatur, IL from Northlake, IL?
The driving distance from Decatur, IL to Northlake, IL is about 177.7 miles (286 km), with a travel time of about 03h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 153.8 miles (247.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 34m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in Livingston County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Decatur and Northlake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur and Northlake.
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1
Start on East Wood Street
155 m · 23 sec · East Wood Street
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2
Turn left onto South Franklin Street
2129 ft · 46 sec · South Franklin Street
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3
Continue on North Water Street
27.4 mi · 37 min · North Water Street
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4
Continue on North 1450 East Road
14.7 mi · 18 min · North 1450 East Road
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford
122.1 mi · 2 hr 16 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago
98 m · 8 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.3 km · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 290 West: Rockford
1.4 km · 2 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Saint Charles Road West
1751 ft · 43 sec
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14
Merge slight left
2448 ft · 38 sec
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East: Milwaukee
2268 ft · 55 sec
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16
Turn straight
42 m · 5 sec
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17
Keep slight left
1698 ft · 49 sec
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18
Turn left onto South Railroad Avenue
668 ft · 15 sec · South Railroad Avenue
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19
Turn right onto West North Avenue
2651 ft · 49 sec · West North Avenue
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20
Turn left onto North Wolf Road
2698 ft · 1 min · North Wolf Road
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21
Turn right onto East Armitage Avenue
85 m · 17 sec · East Armitage Avenue
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22
Turn left onto Village Drive
1790 ft · 1 min · Village Drive
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23
Turn left onto North McLean Avenue
686 ft · 32 sec · North McLean Avenue
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24
Turn right onto East Dickens Avenue
63 m · 9 sec · East Dickens Avenue
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Dickens Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Decatur and Northlake.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 74 West
Take the exit slight right toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford
122 mi · 02h 16m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny leaving Decatur and Mostly Sunny near Northlake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Decatur to Northlake?
The road trip is about 177.7 miles (286 km) and usually takes 03h 34m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Rooks Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.9 miles from Decatur and 88.9 miles from Northlake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 153.8 miles (247.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:50 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.64 one way or $47.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny around Decatur and Mostly Sunny near Northlake.
Stop Ideas Near Rooks Creek
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Rooks Creek.
Pontiac station
Dwight station
Uptown Station
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Decatur and Northlake. Straight-line distance: 153.8 mi (247.51 km).
#1 Decatur
The most populous city in Macon County, Illinois.
| Population | 70,007 |
| Coordinates | 39.8403100, -88.9548000 |
| Altitude | 205 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Northlake
City in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 12,025 |
| Coordinates | 41.9172500, -87.8956200 |
| Altitude | 197 |
| Country | United States |
End: Northlake (-87.89562, 41.91725)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 286 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.64 | $47.29 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.67 | $53.33 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.18 | $58.36 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.26 | $66.51 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Illinois · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.