Origin
Morton Grove, IL
Night in Morton Grove on Sunday
Local time
9:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Morton Grove, IL to Aurora, IL
Drive Time
54m
Distance
44.4 mi
71 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 50m
★
6 AM
0h 54m
8 AM
1h 3m
10 AM
0h 57m
12 PM
0h 57m
3 PM
0h 58m
5 PM
1h 3m
8 PM
0h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Morton Grove, IL
Ali Soheil
Aurora, IL
Markku Soini
Trip Overview
Spanning 44.4 miles across the Illinois landscape, this trip from Morton Grove to Aurora is a straightforward journey typically taking about 54 minutes. Because the route relies entirely on local roads like West Dempster Street, North Waukegan Road, and Harlem Avenue, it is best suited for a single-day excursion. You won’t need to worry about overnight logistics, making this a highly flexible trip for your schedule. With fuel costs estimated at around $7, it is an economical way to navigate between these two Midwest locations. While it isn't a long-haul adventure, it provides a functional connection between the northern suburbs and the Aurora area.
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
22.2 miles from Morton Grove, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 27m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged with constant navigation rather than long, monotonous stretches of highway. Since the highway share for this route is 0%, you should prepare for frequent stops and intersections rather than cruising at high speeds. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on West Dempster Street, emphasizing that this is a stop-and-go experience through regional roadways. You will find yourself maneuvering through various local environments as you transition between Morton Grove and Aurora. It is a practical, hands-on driving experience that requires your full attention to navigate the turns effectively.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Dempster Street 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 Morton Grove, IL to Aurora, IL is easy. At 54m 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 Morton Grove, IL to Aurora, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Dempster Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Waukegan Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Harlem Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Touhy Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Des Plaines River Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 294 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Tri-State Tollway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 88 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
West Dempster Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Morton Grove, IL and Aurora, IL.
1
Start on Fernald Avenue
115 ft
·
13 sec
·
Fernald Avenue
2
Turn left onto West Dempster Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
West Dempster Street
3
Turn left onto North Waukegan Road
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
North Waukegan Road
4
Continue on North Waukegan Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Waukegan Road
5
Turn left onto Harlem Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Harlem Avenue
6
Turn right onto West Touhy Avenue
3.2 mi
·
6 min
·
West Touhy Avenue
7
Turn left onto South Des Plaines River Road
184 ft
·
4 sec
·
South Des Plaines River Road
8
Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 South: Indiana
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
I 294 South: Indiana
9
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
8.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
11
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Tri-State Tollway
12
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Tri-State Tollway
13
Keep slight right to continue on I 88 West Toll: Aurora
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
I 88 West Toll: Aurora
14
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
15
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
22 mi
·
26 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
16
Take the exit slight right toward IL 31, IL 56 East
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
IL 31, IL 56 East
17
Turn right onto South Lincolnway Street
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
South Lincolnway Street
18
Continue on North Lake Street
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
North Lake Street
19
Turn right onto West Galena Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
West Galena Boulevard
20
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the local nature of these 44.4 miles, you have the flexibility to depart whenever traffic patterns suit your preference. Since there are 0 planned stops, you should ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave, keeping the $7 budget in mind for your trip expenses. Pay close attention to your GPS, as the reliance on local thoroughfares like Harlem Avenue means you will encounter numerous turns throughout the 54-minute duration. Because this route lacks interstate bypasses, try to avoid peak commuting hours to prevent unnecessary delays in local traffic. Taking advantage of the route's brevity allows you to reach your destination quickly without the need for an elaborate travel itinerary.
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 22.2 miles from Morton Grove, IL, or about 27m 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 44.4 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 22.2 miles or 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 46m
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 Morton 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 Morton Grove, IL
This is one driving day of about 44.4 miles and 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Morton 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 22.2 mi from Morton Grove, IL · 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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 44.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 22.2 miles from Morton 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
$6.74 one way
$13.49 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $7.43 | $14.87 |
| premium | $4.80 | $8.38 | $16.76 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.86 | $19.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.3 | 0 | $4.66 | $2.13 |
| Efficient EV | 11.1 | 0 | $3.89 | $1.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.8 | 0 | $6.22 | $2.84 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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 Sunday
Local time
9:11 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
27 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
54m 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 Morton Grove, IL to Aurora, IL covers 44.4 miles and takes about 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Dempster Street, North Waukegan Road, Harlem Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 22.2 miles from Morton Grove, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.74 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 Morton Grove, IL to Aurora, IL is easy. At 54m 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 Morton Grove, IL to Aurora, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Morton Grove, IL to Aurora, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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