Origin
Downers Grove, IL
Evening in Downers Grove on Sunday
Local time
6:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Downers Grove, IL to Aurora, IL
Drive Time
26m
Distance
20.1 mi
32 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 24m
★
6 AM
0h 26m
8 AM
0h 31m
10 AM
0h 28m
12 PM
0h 28m
3 PM
0h 28m
5 PM
0h 31m
8 PM
0h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Downers Grove, IL
Ali Soheil
Aurora, IL
Markku Soini
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel between Downers Grove and Aurora, Illinois, this 20.1-mile journey is a quick trip that covers a short distance in the Midwest. Expect a driving time of approximately 26 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day outing that requires no overnight stay. You will navigate using a combination of Ogden Avenue, I-355 North, and I-88 West. With fuel costs estimated at just $3, it is an incredibly budget-friendly commute. Because there are no required stops along the way, you can easily complete this trek in one go without needing to plan for extended breaks.
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
10.1 miles from Downers Grove, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel rather than settling into a monotonous interstate cruise. Since the highway share is 0%, you won't be spending your time on long, open stretches of high-speed pavement. The longest stretch you will encounter is 0 miles on Ogden Avenue, emphasizing that this route is defined by frequent transitions and local navigation. The road's personality is functional and straightforward, shifting through suburban settings as you move from Downers Grove toward your destination. It is a practical, utilitarian drive that favors local connectivity over scenic highway cruising.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Ogden Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Downers Grove, IL to Aurora, IL is easy. At 26m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Downers Grove, IL to Aurora, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ogden Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 355 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 88 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| IL 31 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Lincolnway Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Lake Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Galena Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Ogden Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Downers Grove, IL and Aurora, IL.
1
Start on Main Street
36 ft
·
4 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto Ogden Avenue
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Ogden Avenue
3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 355 North, I 88 West: Northwest Suburbs, Aurora
276 ft
·
7 sec
·
I 355 North, I 88 West: Northwest Suburbs, Aurora
4
Keep slight right to continue on I 88 West: Aurora
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 88 West: Aurora
5
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
6
Take the exit slight right toward IL 31, IL 56 East
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
IL 31, IL 56 East
7
Turn right onto South Lincolnway Street
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
South Lincolnway Street
8
Continue on North Lake Street
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
North Lake Street
9
Turn right onto West Galena Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
West Galena Boulevard
10
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 20.1-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, allowing you to work around your own schedule. You don't need to worry about heavy pacing or long-distance fatigue, as the 26-minute duration is easily manageable in one sitting. Keep in mind that because this route relies on turn-heavy local roads, you should stay alert for intersections and local traffic patterns throughout the journey. Given the low $3 fuel cost, you can focus your budget on your destination rather than gas station stops. A helpful tip is to double-check your GPS before departing, as the mix of Ogden Avenue and two different interstates requires careful navigation through the local turn-heavy sections.
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 10.1 miles from Downers Grove, IL, or about 13m into the drive.
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 20.1 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 10.1 miles or 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aurora, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Downers Grove, 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 Downers Grove, IL
This is one driving day of about 20.1 miles and 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Downers Grove, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 10.1 mi from Downers Grove, IL · 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
10 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 20.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 10.1 miles from Downers Grove, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Aurora, IL
The final approach into Aurora, 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 Aurora, 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
$3.05 one way
$6.11 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $3.37 | $6.73 |
| premium | $4.80 | $3.79 | $7.59 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.47 | $8.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6 | 0 | $2.11 | $0.96 |
| Efficient EV | 5 | 0 | $1.76 | $0.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8 | 0 | $2.81 | $1.29 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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
Evening in Aurora on Sunday
Local time
6:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
26m 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 Downers Grove, IL to Aurora, IL covers 20.1 miles and takes about 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ogden Avenue, I 355 North, I 88 West. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 10.1 miles from Downers Grove, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.05 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.
The drive from Downers Grove, IL to Aurora, IL is easy. At 26m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Downers Grove, IL to Aurora, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Downers Grove, IL to Aurora, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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