Origin
Chicago, IL
Evening in Chicago on Sunday
Local time
5:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chicago, IL to Naperville, IL
Drive Time
46m
Distance
31 mi
50 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 43m
★
6 AM
0h 46m
8 AM
0h 54m
10 AM
0h 49m
12 PM
0h 48m
3 PM
0h 50m
5 PM
0h 54m
8 PM
0h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Trip Overview
If you are planning to head from Chicago to Naperville, you are looking at a quick 31-mile trip that typically takes about 46 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a one-day excursion, as it is short enough to handle without any overnight stops. You can expect to spend roughly $5 on fuel for the journey, making it a very affordable commute within the Midwest. The path utilizes a combination of the Eisenhower Expressway, South Ashland Avenue, and the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. Since both locations are within the same region, you will find the transition between the urban environment and the suburbs to be straightforward. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick visit, this drive is a practical and efficient way to navigate between these two Illinois hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
15.5 miles from Chicago, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 31-mile trip offers a mixed driving profile that transitions from city streets to major expressways. You will spend about 39% of your time on highways, providing a blend of local navigation and faster transit. The longest uninterrupted section you will encounter is a 13.1-mile stretch along the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, which allows for a consistent pace. As you move away from the city center via the Eisenhower Expressway, the character of the road shifts significantly. Expect to balance the stop-and-go nature of local roads like South Ashland Avenue with the more open, high-speed flow of the tollway system.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 13 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 13.1 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 0.2 miles in near West Cermak Road.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 31 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (West Cermak Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (South Ashland Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles (West Van Buren Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
West Cermak Road
At end of road, turn left onto West Cermak Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
South Ashland Avenue
Turn right onto South Ashland Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
2.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
West Van Buren Street
Turn left onto West Van Buren Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
15 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora, Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 15A
Toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora...
8
16.9 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 138
Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
Towns Along This Route
Between Chicago, IL and Naperville, IL, road signs point toward Indiana and 22Nd Street (Cermak Road).
Indiana
15 mi in
|
~23m
|
via I 88; IL 110
22Nd Street (Cermak Road)
16.9 mi in
|
~26m
|
via I 88; IL 110
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | 13.1 mi | 16m |
| Eisenhower Expressway | 12.1 mi | 16m |
| South Ashland Avenue | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| North Washington Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| East Diehl Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| West Cermak Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Freedom Drive | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West Van Buren Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
— 13.1 mi, about 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago, IL and Naperville, IL.
1
Start on this road
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto West Cermak Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Cermak Road
Use the none lane.
3
Turn right onto South Ashland Avenue
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
South Ashland Avenue
Use the none lane.
4
Turn left onto West Van Buren Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
West Van Buren Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 290 West
6
Merge onto I 290; IL 110
12 mi
·
16 min
·
Eisenhower Expressway
Use the none lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 15A
Toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora, Indiana
Use the slight left lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 138
Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
Use the slight right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 127
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn left onto Freedom Drive
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
Freedom Drive
Use the none lane.
11
Turn right onto East Diehl Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Diehl Road
Use the none lane.
12
Turn left onto North Washington Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Washington Street
Use the left lane.
13
Arrive at destination
North Washington Street
Trip Plan
Because this drive is only 46 minutes long, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, keeping an eye on traffic patterns along the Eisenhower Expressway is a smart move to ensure you maintain your estimated arrival time. Since the entire trip is relatively short, you won't need to plan for any formal stops, allowing you to head straight to your destination. Budgeting $5 for fuel should be sufficient for a one-way trip, but keep a little extra on hand for potential toll costs along the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. A helpful tip for this specific route is to check your navigation app before leaving, as the mix of local avenues and major highways can be sensitive to sudden congestion.
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 15.5 miles from Chicago, IL, or about 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.1 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 31 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.5 miles or 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Naperville, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chicago, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Chicago, IL
This is one driving day of about 31 miles and 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Chicago, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 13.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.5 mi from Chicago, IL · 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 15.5 miles from Chicago, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Naperville, IL
The final approach into Naperville, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Naperville, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.71 one way
$9.42 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $5.19 | $10.38 |
| premium | $4.80 | $5.85 | $11.70 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.89 | $13.77 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.78
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(13.1 mi)
$0.78
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
$5
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.3 | 0 | $3.25 | $1.49 |
| Efficient EV | 7.8 | 0 | $2.71 | $1.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.4 | 0 | $4.34 | $1.98 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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
Naperville, IL
Evening in Naperville on Sunday
Local time
5:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
54°F
Elmhurst, IL
16 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
46m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Chicago, IL to Naperville, IL covers 31 miles and takes about 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, Eisenhower Expressway, South Ashland Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.5 miles from Chicago, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.71 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 demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 31 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (West Cermak Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (South Ashland Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles (West Van Buren Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Between Chicago, IL and Naperville, IL, road signs point toward Indiana and 22Nd Street (Cermak Road).
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Naperville, IL
More trips to Naperville, IL
Explore more options from Chicago, IL or browse trips ending in Naperville, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.
Explore maps for Chicago, IL or Naperville, IL on MapSof.net.