Origin
Arlington Heights, IL
Night in Arlington Heights on Wednesday
Local time
9:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arlington Heights, IL to Aurora, IL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
59m
Distance
41.5 mi
67 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 55m
★
6 AM
1h 0m
8 AM
1h 10m
10 AM
1h 3m
12 PM
1h 2m
3 PM
1h 4m
5 PM
1h 9m
8 PM
0h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington Heights, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Aurora, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 41.5-mile drive from Arlington Heights, IL, to Aurora, IL, will take about 59 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily be on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway and I-355, with a portion on IL-53. With a projected fuel cost of around $6, this is an economical excursion within the Midwest. The route is a mixed drive, offering a straightforward journey between two points in Illinois. Given its short duration, you won't need to worry about overnight stays, allowing for a flexible schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
20.7 miles from Arlington Heights, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 29m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a drive with a significant highway component, as 43% of this route is on major roadways like the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway and I-355. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 15.8 miles on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, providing a good opportunity for steady progress. The 'mixed drive' profile suggests you'll transition between faster highway speeds and potentially some slower sections as you navigate towards Aurora. This isn't a winding country road; it's more about efficient travel.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 15.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4 miles in near IL 53.
Route Complexity
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
This is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 41.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 59m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11 miles (I 355): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
4 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
IL 53
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53 toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
8
11 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
I 355
Keep slight left at fork onto I 355 toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 7
Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
8
20.5 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Take the exit toward IL 56, I 88 Toll: Chicago, Aurora, Butterfield Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 20-22
Toward IL 56, I 88 Toll: Chicago, Aurora, Butte...
8
20.9 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 88 Toll: Chicago, Aurora
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 88 Toll: Chicago, Aurora
9
21.6 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 88 East, I 88 West: Aurora, Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 20
Toward I 88 East, I 88 West: Aurora, Chicago
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Arlington Heights, IL to Aurora, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Chicago along the way.
Chicago
21.6 mi in
|
~31m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | 15.8 mi | 19m |
| I 355 | 9.5 mi | 11m |
| IL 53 | 8.1 mi | 10m |
| East Euclid Avenue | 2.7 mi | 6m |
| North Lake Street | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| South Lincolnway Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West Galena Boulevard | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
— 15.8 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington Heights, IL and Aurora, IL.
1
Start on East Euclid Avenue
2.7 mi
·
6 min
·
East Euclid Avenue
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward IL 53 South
3
Merge onto IL 53
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
IL 53
4
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
7.0 mi
·
9 min
·
IL 53
Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 355
9.5 mi
·
11 min
·
I 355
Exit 7
Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
Use the slight left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 20-22
Toward IL 56, I 88 Toll: Chicago, Aurora, Butterfield Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 88 Toll: Chicago, Aurora
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 20
Toward I 88 East, I 88 West: Aurora, Chicago
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 88 West: Aurora
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
16 mi
·
19 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 117
Toward IL 31, IL 56 East
Use the right lane.
12
Turn right onto IL 31
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
South Lincolnway Street
13
Continue on IL 31
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
North Lake Street
14
Turn right onto West Galena Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
West Galena Boulevard
15
Arrive at destination
West Galena Boulevard
Trip Plan
For this short, under-an-hour trip, flexibility is key. You can easily depart at your convenience, though avoiding peak rush hour traffic on the tollways is always a good idea. With only 41.5 miles and a $6 fuel cost, significant stops aren't necessary, but plan for at least one quick rest break to stay alert. Keep an eye out for toll plazas, as this route utilizes the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. Since it's a direct drive, focusing on maintaining a steady pace on the highway sections will get you to Aurora efficiently.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 20.7 miles from Arlington Heights, IL, or about 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 41.5 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 20.7 miles or 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aurora, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Arlington Heights, IL.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Arlington Heights, IL
This is one driving day of about 41.5 miles and 59m.
At 41.5 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 15.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.7 mi from Arlington Heights, IL · 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 41.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.7 miles from Arlington Heights, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Aurora, IL
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Aurora, IL if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.49 one way
$12.98 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $7.12 | $14.25 |
| premium | $4.89 | $7.99 | $15.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.16 | $18.33 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.95
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(15.8 mi)
$0.95
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.5 | 0 | $4.36 | $1.99 |
| Efficient EV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.63 | $1.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.6 | 0 | $5.81 | $2.66 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Aurora, IL
Night in Aurora on Wednesday
Local time
9:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 15 mph
28% chance
Live forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 14 at 4:05PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Tornado Watch
Tornado Watch issued April 14 at 2:35PM CDT until April 14 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
30 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
59m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Arlington Heights, IL to Aurora, IL covers 41.5 miles and takes about 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, I 355, IL 53. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20.7 miles from Arlington Heights, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.49 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 41.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 59m.
The main spots that need attention: at 4 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11 miles (I 355): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Arlington Heights, IL to Aurora, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Chicago along the way.
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