Trip from Naperville, IL to Cincinnati, IL

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

Drive Time

5h 52m

Distance

288.5 mi

464 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

15 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 39m ★

6 AM

5h 52m

8 AM

6h 19m

10 AM

6h 2m

12 PM

5h 59m

3 PM

6h 3m

5 PM

6h 17m

8 PM

5h 45m

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 Ohio, United States; county seat of Hamilton County

Cincinnati, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Naperville, IL to Cincinnati, IL covers 288.5 miles and takes about 5h 52m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 57, Veterans Memorial Tollway, County Road 925 East for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 181.7 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.10 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

144.3 miles from Naperville, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 57	181.7 mi	3h 15m
Veterans Memorial Tollway	19.2 mi	21m
County Road 925 East	16.2 mi	24m
South Banker Street	14.9 mi	22m
I 80	10.6 mi	12m
County Road 1400 E	10.4 mi	15m
County Road 1600E	8.5 mi	12m
IL 15	7.1 mi	10m

Longest stretch: I 57 — 181.7 mi, about 3h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Naperville, IL and Cincinnati, IL.

Start on North Washington Street

50 ft · 9 sec · North Washington Street

Turn left onto US 34

5.0 mi · 10 min · East Ogden Avenue

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 355

19 mi · 21 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

1.3 mi · 2 min

Exit 0A Toward I 80 East: Indiana

Merge onto I 80

11 mi · 12 min · I 80

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 151A Toward I 57 South: Memphis

Merge onto I 57

182 mi · 3 hr 15 min · I 57

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Exit 162 Toward US 45: Sigel, Effingham

Turn left onto US 45

1.9 mi · 2 min · US 45

Turn right onto US 40; US 45; IL 33

0.2 mi · 32 sec · East Fayette Avenue

Turn left onto US 45

15 mi · 22 min · South Banker Street

Continue on US 45

16 mi · 24 min · County Road 925 East

Turn slight left

135 ft · 5 sec

Merge onto US 45; US 50

3.9 mi · 4 min · US 45; US 50

Turn right onto US 45

10 mi · 15 min · County Road 1400 E

Continue on US 45

0.9 mi · 1 min · Central Street

Continue on US 45

1.4 mi · 2 min · County Road 1800N

Turn straight onto US 45

4.6 mi · 6 min · County Road 1600E

Continue on US 45

1.0 mi · 1 min · Washington Street

Continue on US 45

3.9 mi · 5 min · County Road 1600E

Turn sharp right onto IL 15

7.1 mi · 10 min · IL 15

Turn right onto 900E

2.0 mi · 4 min · 900E

Turn right onto County Road 1000N

1.0 mi · 3 min · County Road 1000N

Arrive at destination

County Road 1000N

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 144.3 miles from Naperville, IL, or about 2h 44m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.7 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 63 miles or 1h 17m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 144.3 miles or 2h 44m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 32m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cincinnati, 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 288.5 miles and 5h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 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 I 57 for about 181.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rantoul, IL

144 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

Joliet, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rantoul, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 144.3 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 I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 181.7 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

Pepe's Mexican Restaurants - Matteson

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Matteson, Illinois

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 41.2

Hours: 10 am–11 pm

+17087484400

Visit website

A2B Indian Veg Restaurant - Illinois

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Warrenville, Illinois

1.6 mi

Mapo Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Naperville, Illinois

1.6 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Bonny's Bistro

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Matteson, Illinois

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 41.2

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+17738964817

Visit website

The Well

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Manteno, Illinois

2.9 mi

Pepe's Mexican Restaurants - Matteson

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 41.2

Matteson, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–11 pm

+17087484400

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

Honeyfield Pancake House & Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 20.6

Lockport, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+18158363880

Visit website

Angeli's Restaurant & Catering

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately

Naperville, Illinois

Hours: 4–9 pm

+16304201370

Visit website

The Depot

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 206.1

Neoga, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12178953666

Hidden Manna Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 41.2

Matteson, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+17082485571

Visit website

Murray's Tavern

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 82.4

Clifton, Illinois

Hours: 4–10 pm

+18159185017

Visit website

Bonny's Bistro

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 41.2

Matteson, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+17738964817

Visit website

The Well

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 61.8

Manteno, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+17795295090

Visit website

Solyne Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 41.2

Frankfort, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+18477444958

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 144.3

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 144.3

Champaign, Illinois

+18668167584

Electrify America Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 144.3

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 41.2

Frankfort, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm

+18154697124

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 218.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 34 / East Ogden Avenue

Turn left onto US 34 / East Ogden Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

5 mi into trip | ~10m in

Take the ramp toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet

5.2 mi into trip | ~10m in | I 355 / Veterans Memorial Tollway

Merge onto I 355 / Veterans Memorial Tollway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

24.4 mi into trip | ~32m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Indiana

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 0A Toward I 80 East: Indiana

218.6 mi into trip | ~4h 4m in

Take the exit toward US 45: Sigel, Effingham

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 162 Toward US 45: Sigel, Effingham

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$45.10 one way

$90.21 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 101 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$49.52	$99.04
premium	$4.89	$55.52	$111.04
diesel	$5.61	$63.70	$127.39

Estimated Tolls: $1.34

Veterans Memorial Tollway (19.2 mi) $1.34

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

$45

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$71–$96

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 100.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

15 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Champaign, Illinois

Other

1 DCFC

EV Connect Charging Station

Champaign, Illinois

EV Connect

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Champaign, Illinois

Tesla

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Champaign, Illinois

Tesla

1 DCFC

Tesla Destination Charger

Champaign, Illinois

Tesla Destination

1 DCFC

Electrify America Charging Station

Champaign, Illinois

Electrify America

1 DCFC

Nissan Charging Station

Champaign, Illinois

Other

1 DCFC

Circle K | Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Champaign, Illinois

Other

1 DCFC

Other: 4 ChargePoint: 3 Blink: 3 Tesla: 2 EV Connect: 1 Tesla Destination: 1 Electrify America: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	86.6	1	$30.29	$13.85
Efficient EV	72.1	0	$25.24	$11.54
EV Truck/SUV	115.4	1	$40.39	$18.46

Gas CO2

101 kg

EV CO2

34 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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

1:14 PM

CDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cincinnati, IL

Afternoon in Cincinnati on Saturday

Local time

1:14 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°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

23 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

5h 52m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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

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...

14 mi from route ~35 min detour Free near mile 39.8

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?

This is a 5h 52m highway drive covering 288.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and Veterans Memorial Tollway. The longest continuous stretch is about 181.7 miles on I 57.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 181.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Veterans Memorial Tollway. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 34 / East Ogden Avenue.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 288.5 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: near the start (US 34 / East Ogden Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles (I 355 / Veterans Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Cincinnati, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Effingham along the way.

Effingham

218.6 mi in | ~4h 4m

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.

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 5h 52m. Total distance: 288.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Naperville, IL to Cincinnati, IL covers 288.5 miles and takes about 5h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 57, Veterans Memorial Tollway, County Road 925 East. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 144.3 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 $45.10 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

On the drive from Naperville, IL to Cincinnati, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Effingham along the way.

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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Naperville, IL or browse trips ending in Cincinnati, IL.

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Trip from Naperville, IL to Cincinnati, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Pepe's Mexican Restaurants - Matteson

Bonny's Bistro

Pepe's Mexican Restaurants - Matteson

A2B Indian Veg Restaurant - Illinois

Mapo Restaurant

Honeyfield Pancake House & Restaurant

Angeli's Restaurant & Catering

The Depot

Hidden Manna Cafe

Murray's Tavern

Bonny's Bistro

The Well

Solyne Cafe

Tesla Supercharger

EV Connect Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Circle K | Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Nissan Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

Caffe Milan

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Naperville, IL

Cincinnati, IL

Same local time

23 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 52m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Pullman National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Naperville, IL

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the trip from Naperville, IL to Cincinnati, IL?

What are the main roads on this route?

Is this a good same-day trip?

Where should I stop halfway?

How much does gas cost for this trip?

What is the best time to leave?

How many breaks should I plan?

How hard is the drive from Naperville, IL to Cincinnati, IL?

Where does this route get tricky?

What towns show up on signs driving from Naperville, IL to Cincinnati, IL?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Cincinnati, IL

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