This 172.5-mile drive from Naperville, IL to Burgess, IL will take you approximately 3 hours and 28 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway and the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, about 27% of this route is on highways. With a projected fuel cost of around $27, this trip is well-suited for a single day. The journey offers a practical Midwest to Midwest transit, making it a straightforward option for a day trip. You'll experience a turn-heavy local drive feel for a good portion of the way, so plan for active navigation.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
86.3 miles from Naperville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 28m. Total distance: 172.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (27%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a varied driving experience on this 172.5-mile route. While 27% of your journey will be on highways like the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, much of the drive is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive.' The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 80.4 miles on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, offering a period of consistent travel. After this, the character shifts, requiring more frequent attention to navigation as you transition to more local roads. This mix means you won't be on monotonous interstate for the entire 3 hours and 28 minutes.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 24 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 80.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near West Diehl Road.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 172.5 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (West Diehl Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
1.4 mi into trip|~3m in|West Diehl Road
Turn left onto West Diehl Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
2.5 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 88 West: Aurora
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 88 West: Aurora
5
2.9 mi into trip|~6m in|I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Merge onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
13.9 mi into trip|~19m 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 Toll West, IL 47: DeKalb
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 West, IL 47: DeKalb
5
144.4 mi into trip|~2h 39m in
Take the exit toward IL 81: Kewanee, Cambridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IL 81: Kewanee, Cambridge
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 Naperville, IL to Burgess, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Cambridge along the way.
Cambridge
144.4 mi in|~2h 39m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
80.4 mi
1h 27m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
38.9 mi
41m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
15 mi
16m
IL 17
10.9 mi
16m
IL 110
7.1 mi
8m
US 150
6.4 mi
9m
US 67
5.4 mi
8m
40th Avenue
2.6 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
— 80.4 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Naperville, IL and Burgess, IL.
1
Start on North Washington Street
50 ft·5 sec·North Washington Street
2
Turn right onto US 34
0.4 mi·45 sec·West Ogden Avenue
3
Turn right onto Mill Street
1.1 mi·2 min·Mill Street
4
Turn left onto West Diehl Road
0.6 mi·1 min·West Diehl Road
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto Winfield Road
0.4 mi·59 sec·Winfield Road
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 88 West: AuroraUse the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
11 mi·12 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110
69 mi·1 hr 14 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Toward I 88 Toll West, IL 47: DeKalbUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 88; IL 110
1.1 mi·1 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
10
Continue on I 88; IL 110
38 mi·40 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Exit 41
11
Continue on I 88; IL 92; IL 110
5.4 mi·5 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
12
Take the exit onto IL 110
7.1 mi·8 min·IL 110
Toward I 80: Peoria
13
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 110
9.6 mi·10 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward IL 81: Kewanee, Cambridge
15
Turn right onto IL 81
0.9 mi·1 min·IL 81
16
Continue on IL 81
0.4 mi·38 sec·South Street
17
Continue on IL 81
0.8 mi·1 min·IL 81
18
Turn left onto US 150
6.4 mi·9 min·US 150
19
Turn right onto IL 17
11 mi·16 min·IL 17
20
Turn left onto US 67
5.4 mi·8 min·US 67
21
Turn right onto 40th Avenue
2.6 mi·10 min·40th Avenue
22
Turn right onto 235th Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·235th Street
23
Turn slight left onto 41st Avenue
0.1 mi·33 sec·41st Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
41st Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 28-minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in one day. Consider departing Naperville in the morning to maximize daylight and allow ample time for the 'turn-heavy local drive' sections. While the longest stretch is 80.4 miles, plan for your single recommended stop to break up the journey. With a fuel cost estimated at $27, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is advisable, especially as you move onto non-toll roads. A good tip for this route is to have your GPS ready for the latter half, as the transition from highway to local roads can be intricate.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 86.3 miles from Naperville, IL, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.4 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 38 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.3 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burgess, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Naperville, 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 Naperville, IL
This is one driving day of about 172.5 miles and 3h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Naperville, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 80.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86.3 mi from Naperville, IL
· 1h 36m into the drive
The midpoint is around 86.3 miles from Naperville, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Burgess, IL
The final approach into Burgess, 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 Burgess, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.97 one way
$53.94 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$29.61
$59.22
premium
$4.89
$33.20
$66.39
diesel
$5.61
$38.09
$76.17
Estimated Tolls: $4.83
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(80.4 mi)$4.83
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
$27
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.8
0
$18.11
$8.28
Efficient EV
43.1
0
$15.09
$6.90
EV Truck/SUV
69
0
$24.15
$11.04
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Naperville, IL
Evening
in Naperville on Thursday
Local time
5:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Burgess, IL
Evening
in Burgess on Thursday
Local time
5:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Sterling, IL
86 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
3h 28m 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 Naperville, IL to Burgess, IL covers 172.5 miles and takes about 3h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 86.3 miles from Naperville, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.97 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 172.5 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (West Diehl Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Naperville, IL to Burgess, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Cambridge along the way.
