How far is Niles, IL from Ford Heights, IL?

The driving distance from Niles, IL to Ford Heights, IL is about 42.4 miles (68.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 37 miles (59.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
42.41 mi
00h 59m
Flight
37.05 mi
59.62 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Niles.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
37.05 mi
Kilometers
59.62 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
42.41 mi
Kilometers
68.26 km
Drive Time
00h 59m

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 00h 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ford Heights
Thu, Oct 15, 5:22 PM CDT
Return by in Niles
Thu, Oct 15, 6:21 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Niles
2026-10-15T16:22
Arrive Ford Heights
Thu, Oct 15, 5:22 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:30 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Niles
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
South Chicago
IL

Former township in Cook County, Illinois

From Niles
21.2 mi
00h 29m
To Ford Heights
21.2 mi
00h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Today

Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 11:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE
Destination
66°F
This Afternoon

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 1:00 PM CDT
Wind
10 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Niles and Ford Heights.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Niles and Ford Heights.

  1. 1

    Start on North Waukegan Road

    4 m · 5 sec · North Waukegan Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Howard Street

    3171 ft · 1 min · West Howard Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Caldwell Avenue

    2.9 mi · 4 min · North Caldwell Avenue

  4. 4

    Take the ramp straight toward I 94 East

    1370 ft · 35 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Edens Expressway

    2.1 mi · 2 min · Edens Expressway

  6. 6

    Continue on Kennedy Expressway

    8.1 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway

  7. 7

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

    8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Bishop Ford Freeway

    10.8 mi · 15 min · Bishop Ford Freeway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on Calumet Expressway

    2410 ft · 49 sec · Calumet Expressway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Calumet Expressway

    5 mi · 7 min · Calumet Expressway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West: Lincoln Highway

    2415 ft · 59 sec

  13. 13

    Turn straight onto Lincoln Highway

    2744 ft · 1 min · Lincoln Highway

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Lincoln Highway

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Niles and Ford Heights.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
14 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
33 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Bishop Ford Freeway
10.8 mi · 25%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.83 mi · 21%
Kennedy Expressway
8.12 mi · 19%
Calumet Expressway
5.45 mi · 13%
North Caldwell Avenue
2.89 mi · 7%
Dan Ryan Expressway
2.42 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Bishop Ford Freeway

Keep slight left to continue on Bishop Ford Freeway

10.8 mi · 00h 15m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
00h 59m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.4 mi
37 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
South Chicago
00h 29m from Niles
Leave By
4:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers leaving Niles and Showers And Thunderstorms near Ford Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Niles to Ford Heights?

The road trip is about 42.4 miles (68.3 km) and usually takes 00h 59m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

South Chicago is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.2 miles from Niles and 21.2 miles from Ford Heights.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 37 miles (59.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:30 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.00 one way or $14.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Niles and Showers And Thunderstorms near Ford Heights.

Stop Ideas Near South Chicago

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around South Chicago, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to South Chicago.

RAIL

Hammond–Whiting station

6 mi away
1135 South Calumet Ave.
RAIL

Chicago Union Station

17 mi away
225 South Canal Street
RAIL

Homewood

22 mi away
18015 Park Ave.
RAIL

Summit

22 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Niles and Ford Heights. Straight-line distance: 37.05 mi (59.62 km).

Niles

#1 Niles

City in Trumbull County, Ohio

Population28,615
Coordinates42.0189200, -87.8028400
Altitude194
CountryUnited States
Ford Heights

#2 Ford Heights

Village in United States of America

Population2,647
Coordinates41.5064200, -87.5917100
Altitude202
CountryUnited States
Start: Niles (-87.80284, 42.01892)
End: Ford Heights (-87.59171, 41.50642)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 68 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 50m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.5 gal
5.67 L · about $7.00
Round trip
$14.00
3 gal · 11.34 L
Estimated CO2
13.3 kg one way
Round trip: 26.7 kg / 59 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.67 $7.00 $14.00
Mid-grade $5.29 $7.94 $15.88
Premium $5.84 $8.76 $17.51
Diesel $6.57 $9.86 $19.71

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 · Oct 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Niles and Ford Heights. The current time is 16:22:51.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.