How far is Niles, IL from Galena, IL?
The driving distance from Niles, IL to Galena, IL is about 152 miles (244.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 137.1 miles (220.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 33m 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 16m.
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.
The second most populous city in Illinois.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Niles and Galena.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Niles and Galena.
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1
Start on North Waukegan Road
2122 ft · 44 sec · North Waukegan Road
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2
Continue on North Milwaukee Avenue
155 m · 17 sec · North Milwaukee Avenue
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3
Turn right onto West Touhy Avenue
2.8 mi · 5 min · West Touhy Avenue
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4
Turn left onto South Dee Road
1 mi · 2 min · South Dee Road
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5
Turn right onto Devon Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · Devon Avenue
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 West Toll
1349 ft · 33 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
59.4 mi · 1 hr 4 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I-39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington
1.1 km · 1 min
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9
Merge slight right
2475 ft · 30 sec
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10
Continue straight
2.1 mi · 2 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
29.6 mi · 34 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 BUS: Freeport
3.6 mi · 6 min
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13
Turn slight right onto South Galena Avenue
7.3 mi · 13 min · South Galena Avenue
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14
Turn left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
14.5 mi · 20 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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15
Continue on East North Avenue
2.1 mi · 4 min · East North Avenue
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16
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
6.4 mi · 9 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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17
Continue on East Woodbine Street
2853 ft · 1 min · East Woodbine Street
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18
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
4.6 mi · 7 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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19
Continue on South Main Street
2099 ft · 1 min · South Main Street
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20
Turn straight onto Diagonal Street
639 ft · 21 sec · Diagonal Street
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21
Continue on West Madison Street
1.2 km · 2 min · West Madison Street
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22
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
12.8 mi · 18 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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23
Continue on Decatur Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Decatur Street
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24
Take the exit right
24 m · 4 sec
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25
Turn right onto South Main Street
2174 ft · 2 min · South Main Street
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26
Turn left onto Hill Street
77 m · 17 sec · Hill Street
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27
Turn left onto South Bench Street
16 m · 2 sec · South Bench Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Bench Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Niles and Galena.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
59.4 mi · 01h 04m
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.
Rain Showers leaving Niles and Rain Showers near Galena.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Niles to Galena?
The road trip is about 152 miles (244.7 km) and usually takes 03h 16m 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?
Rockford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.8 miles from Niles and 76.2 miles from Galena.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 137.1 miles (220.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.9 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 10:26 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.05 one way or $50.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Niles and Rain Showers near Galena.
Stop Ideas Near Rockford
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 Rockford.
Rockford, Illinois
South Beloit, Illinois
Janesville, Wisconsin
Mendota station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Niles and Galena. Straight-line distance: 137.16 mi (220.73 km).
#1 Niles
City in Trumbull County, Ohio
| Population | 28,615 |
| Coordinates | 42.0189200, -87.8028400 |
| Altitude | 194 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Galena
County seat of Jo Daviess County, Illinois
| Population | 3,151 |
| Coordinates | 42.4166700, -90.4290200 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
End: Galena (-90.42902, 42.41667)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 245 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $25.05 | $50.10 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $28.42 | $56.84 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $31.34 | $62.69 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $35.29 | $70.57 |
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