How far is South Jacksonville, IL from Niles, IL?

The driving distance from South Jacksonville, IL to Niles, IL is about 245.3 miles (394.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 203.8 miles (328 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
245.3 mi
03h 56m
Flight
203.8 mi
327.98 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from South Jacksonville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
203.8 mi
Kilometers
327.98 km
Flight Time
00h 24m

Driving Distance

Road route
245.3 mi
Kilometers
394.78 km
Drive Time
03h 56m

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 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Niles
Thu, Oct 15, 4:26 PM CDT
Return by in South Jacksonville
Thu, Oct 15, 8:22 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave South Jacksonville
2026-10-15T12:29
Arrive Niles
Thu, Oct 15, 4:26 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:56 AM to 11:56 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:08 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in South Jacksonville
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Lexington
IL

City in McLean County, Illinois, United States

From South Jacksonville
120.4 mi
01h 58m
To Niles
124.9 mi
01h 58m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph S
Destination
63°F
Today

Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 11:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between South Jacksonville and Niles.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Jacksonville and Niles.

  1. 1

    Start on East Vandalia Road

    91 m · 17 sec · East Vandalia Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    1 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East Morton Avenue

    2.5 mi · 4 min · East Morton Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on Old Route 36

    1.5 km · 1 min · Old Route 36

  5. 5

    Turn left

    1635 ft · 40 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    42.5 mi · 46 min

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    20.5 mi · 22 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago

    29.4 mi · 31 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

    120.8 mi · 2 hr 14 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin

    1.6 mi · 3 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin

    1694 ft · 41 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    11.7 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue

    635 ft · 16 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue

    2694 ft · 1 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue East

    1749 ft · 43 sec

  17. 17

    Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue

    3 mi · 6 min · East Touhy Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn left onto North Harlem Avenue

    2643 ft · 50 sec · North Harlem Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn right onto West Howard Street

    1019 ft · 24 sec · West Howard Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto North Waukegan Road

    4 m · 1 sec · North Waukegan Road

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Waukegan Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between South Jacksonville and Niles.

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
21 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
150 mi · 61%
Old Route 36
63.9 mi · 26%
Tri-State Tollway
16.6 mi · 7%
East Touhy Avenue
2.99 mi · 1%
East Morton Avenue
2.49 mi · 1%
I 294 Tollway North
1.56 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 56m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+41.5 mi
203.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lexington
01h 58m from South Jacksonville
Leave By
9:08 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving South Jacksonville 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 South Jacksonville to Niles?

The road trip is about 245.3 miles (394.8 km) and usually takes 03h 56m 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?

Lexington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 120.4 miles from South Jacksonville and 124.9 miles from Niles.

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

The direct path is about 203.8 miles (328 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.5 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 9:08 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.40 one way or $80.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around South Jacksonville and Rain Showers near Niles.

Stop Ideas Near Lexington

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Lexington and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 14.2 mi away

City Hall - Town of Normal

Normal , IL
11 Uptown Circle, Normal, IL 61761
Parking lot
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 13.9 mi away

Normal Town

Normal , IL
100 S Maple St, Normal, IL 61761
Rating 2.3/5 3 reviews Government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 13.1 mi away

El Paso City Water Works

El Paso , IL
301 W Front St, El Paso, IL 61738
Water utility company

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lexington.

RAIL

Uptown Station

22 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Pontiac station

29 mi away
721 West Washington St.
RAIL

Dwight station

58 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Rantoul

64 mi away
West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between South Jacksonville and Niles. Straight-line distance: 203.8 mi (327.98 km).

South Jacksonville

#1 South Jacksonville

City in Illinois, United States of America

Population3,075
Coordinates39.7086600, -90.2281800
Altitude189
CountryUnited States
Niles

#2 Niles

City in Trumbull County, Ohio

Population28,615
Coordinates42.0189200, -87.8028400
Altitude194
CountryUnited States
Start: East Vandalia Road (-90.22818, 39.70869)
End: West Howard Street (-87.802809, 42.018948)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 395 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 05m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 03m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.66 gal
32.77 L · about $40.40
Round trip
$80.80
17.32 gal · 65.54 L
Estimated CO2
77 kg one way
Round trip: 153.9 kg / 339 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.67 $40.40 $80.80
Mid-grade $5.29 $45.83 $91.66
Premium $5.84 $50.55 $101.10
Diesel $6.57 $56.90 $113.81

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 South Jacksonville and Niles. The current time is 12:29:52.

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.