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Trip from Naperville, IL to Knoxville, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 12m

Distance

173 mi

278 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 0m ★
6 AM
3h 12m
8 AM
3h 36m
10 AM
3h 20m
12 PM
3h 18m
3 PM
3h 22m
5 PM
3h 35m
8 PM
3h 5m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Knox County, State of Illinois, United States

Knoxville, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Naperville, IL to Knoxville, IL covers 173 miles and takes about 3h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 80.4 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.05 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

86.5 miles from Naperville, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway 80.4 mi 1h 27m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway 42 mi 45m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway 38.9 mi 41m
IL 110 7.1 mi 8m
Mill Street 1.1 mi 2m
Henderson Road 0.8 mi 1m
West Diehl Road 0.6 mi 1m
Winfield Road 0.4 mi <1m
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 Knoxville, 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: Aurora Use 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: DeKalb Use 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

37 mi · 39 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward Knoxville
15

Turn right onto CH 9

361 ft · 9 sec · Knox Highway 9
16

Continue on CH 9

0.8 mi · 1 min · Henderson Road
17

Continue on North Division Street

369 ft · 12 sec · North Division Street
18

Turn left onto US 150

0.2 mi · 26 sec · West Main Street
19

Turn left onto North Market Street

129 ft · 5 sec · North Market Street
20

Arrive at destination

North Market Street

Trip Plan

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 86.5 miles from Naperville, IL, or about 1h 37m 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 86.5 miles or 1h 37m 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 Knoxville, 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 173 miles and 3h 12m.

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.

city in Whiteside County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Sterling, IL

87 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

Sycamore, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sterling, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 86.5 miles from Naperville, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Rock Falls Candlelight

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rock Falls, Illinois

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 86.5

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18156261897

Visit website

A's Kitchen

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Rock Falls, Illinois

0.8 mi

Oak Street Restaurant And Bar

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

North Aurora, Illinois

1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Coffee Crush

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Dixon, Illinois

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 74.1

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+18153455909

Visit website

Flip Side Coffee & Espresso Bar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rock Falls, Illinois

2.1 mi

Air Play Espresso and Bakery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sterling, Illinois

2.5 mi

Rock Falls Candlelight

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 86.5

Rock Falls, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18156261897

Visit website

A's Kitchen

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 86.5

Rock Falls, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+18156256574

Oak Street Restaurant And Bar

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 12.4

North Aurora, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+16303017202

Visit website

Lil' Smoked Bar + Grill

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 74.1

Dixon, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+18156779867

Visit website

A2B Indian Veg Restaurant - Illinois

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Warrenville, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm

+16307918800

Visit website

Mapo Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Naperville, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+16304201388

Visit website

Mary's Diner

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 74.1

Dixon, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–2:30 pm

+18159944961

Ana's Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 86.5

Rock Falls, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+18156264294

Coffee Crush

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 74.1

Dixon, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+18153455909

Visit website

Flip Side Coffee & Espresso Bar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 86.5

Rock Falls, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+18157180022

Air Play Espresso and Bakery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 86.5

Sterling, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18155854327

Visit website

Sammy's Slots Video & Gaming Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 86.5

Rock Falls, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–1 pm

+18157168318

The Speakeasy at La Bella Notte

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 86.5

Rock Falls, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–9:30 pm

+18157168559

Dick’s Drive Thru Fuel

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 86.5

Sterling, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18154997746

Visit website

7brew

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 74.1

Dixon, Illinois

Flight Deck A Global Inspired Pub

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 49.4

Rochelle, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18155613664

Visit website

Lisa's Brick House Bar & Grill

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 86.5

Sterling, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+18155905472

Rooney's

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 61.8

Franklin Grove, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+18154562590

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 173 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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
173 mi into trip | ~3h 12m in | North Market Street

Turn left onto North Market Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.05 one way

$54.09 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $29.70 $59.39
premium $4.89 $33.29 $66.58
diesel $5.61 $38.20 $76.39

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: 60.5 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 51.9 0 $18.17 $8.30
Efficient EV 43.3 0 $15.14 $6.92
EV Truck/SUV 69.2 0 $24.22 $11.07

Gas CO2

61 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

Afternoon in Naperville on Saturday

Local time

12:43 PM

CDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Knoxville, IL

Afternoon in Knoxville on Saturday

Local time

12:43 PM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

50°F

Sterling, IL

87 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

1 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

3h 12m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Pullman National Historical Park

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...

28 mi from route ~71 min detour Free
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 3h 12m drive with frequent turns across 173 miles of local and secondary roads.

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.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 80.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 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 Effort 5/10

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 173 miles you will encounter 12 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.

About the Cities

Starting in Naperville, IL

Full guide →

Naperville is a bedroom community in the Chicagoland area. In 2008, Money magazine ranked Naperville third on its list of the 100 best places to live in the United States.

Arriving in Knoxville, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1831

Top landmarks

  • • Knox County Courthouse — former courthouse and adjacent in Knoxville, Illinois, USA; now a city hall
  • • Knox County Jail — former jail in Knoxville, Knox County, Illinois

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 173 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (28%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Naperville, IL to Knoxville, IL covers 173 miles and takes about 3h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 86.5 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 $27.05 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 173 miles you will encounter 12 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.

The route from Naperville, IL to Knoxville, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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