How far is Pontoon Beach, IL from Niles, IL?
The driving distance from Pontoon Beach, IL to Niles, IL is about 294.5 miles (473.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 256.8 miles (413.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 21m 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 04h 40m.
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 Henry County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Pontoon Beach and Niles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pontoon Beach and Niles.
-
1
Start on the route
4 m · 3 sec
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2
Turn right
17 m · 10 sec
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3
Turn left onto Pontoon Road
2654 ft · 55 sec · Pontoon Road
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4
Turn left
1.7 mi · 3 min
-
5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 270 East: Effingham
1927 ft · 47 sec
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6
Merge slight left
8.4 mi · 10 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North: Chicago, Springfield
1668 ft · 47 sec
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8
Merge slight left
107.2 mi · 1 hr 56 min
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
120.8 mi · 2 hr 14 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue East
1749 ft · 43 sec
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18
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
3 mi · 6 min · East Touhy Avenue
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19
Turn left onto North Harlem Avenue
2643 ft · 50 sec · North Harlem Avenue
-
20
Turn right onto West Howard Street
1019 ft · 24 sec · West Howard Street
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21
Turn right onto North Waukegan Road
4 m · 1 sec · North Waukegan Road
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Waukegan Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Pontoon Beach and Niles.
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 55 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
121 mi · 02h 14m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Pontoon Beach and Rain Showers near Niles.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Pontoon Beach to Niles?
The road trip is about 294.5 miles (473.9 km) and usually takes 04h 40m 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?
Burns is a useful midpoint, sitting about 145.9 miles from Pontoon Beach and 148.5 miles from Niles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 256.8 miles (413.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.7 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 7:38 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $48.47 one way or $96.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 92.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Pontoon Beach and Rain Showers near Niles.
Stop Ideas Near Burns
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
City Hall - Town of Normal
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Burns.
Uptown Station
Lincoln
Pontiac station
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Pontoon Beach and Niles. Straight-line distance: 256.79 mi (413.27 km).
#1 Pontoon Beach
Town
| Population | 5,655 |
| Coordinates | 38.7317200, -90.0803800 |
| Altitude | 127 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Niles
City in Trumbull County, Ohio
| Population | 28,615 |
| Coordinates | 42.0189200, -87.8028400 |
| Altitude | 194 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Howard Street (-87.802809, 42.018948)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 474 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $48.47 | $96.94 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $54.98 | $109.97 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $60.65 | $121.29 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $68.27 | $136.55 |
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