Origin
Woodlawn, IL
Afternoon in Woodlawn on Thursday
Local time
3:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Woodlawn, IL to Aurora, IL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 11m
Distance
49.6 mi
80 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 6m
★
6 AM
1h 12m
8 AM
1h 23m
10 AM
1h 16m
12 PM
1h 15m
3 PM
1h 16m
5 PM
1h 23m
8 PM
1h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Woodlawn, IL
Stéphane Tendon
Aurora, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Woodlawn, IL to Aurora, IL covers 49.6 miles and takes about 1h 11m 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, Eisenhower Expressway, Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 23.9 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.75 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 11m. Total distance: 49.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (38%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Woodlawn, IL to Aurora, IL covers 49.6 miles and takes about 1h 11m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
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 23.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 49.6 miles you will encounter 16 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 8.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.4 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
8.4 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward I 290: Aurora, Ida B Wells Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 51H-I
Toward I 290: Aurora, Ida B Wells Drive
8
8.8 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I-290 West, IL 110: Aurora, West Suburbs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I-290 West, IL 110: Aurora, West Suburbs
9
22.4 mi into trip
|
~35m 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 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora, Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 15A
Toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora...
8
24.3 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 138
Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
8
46.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
Take the exit toward IL 31, IL 56 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 117
Toward IL 31, IL 56 East
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Woodlawn, IL and Aurora, IL, road signs point toward Suburbs, Indiana and 22Nd Street (Cermak Road).
Suburbs
8.8 mi in
|
~16m
Indiana
22.4 mi in
|
~35m
|
via I 88; IL 110
22Nd Street (Cermak Road)
24.3 mi in
|
~37m
|
via I 88; IL 110
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | 23.9 mi | 29m |
| Eisenhower Expressway | 13.1 mi | 17m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) | 4 mi | 6m |
| North Lake Street | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Local) | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| East 63rd Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| South Lincolnway Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West Galena Boulevard | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
— 23.9 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Woodlawn, IL and Aurora, IL.
1
Start on South Greenwood Avenue
65 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Greenwood Avenue
2
Turn left onto East 64th Street
524 ft
·
30 sec
·
East 64th Street
3
Turn left onto South University Avenue
431 ft
·
26 sec
·
South University Avenue
4
Turn left onto East 63rd Street
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
East 63rd Street
5
Turn right onto South Wentworth Avenue
154 ft
·
4 sec
·
South Wentworth Avenue
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 90 West, I 94 West
7
Merge onto I 90; I 94
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway (Local)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: 22nd Street
Use the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 90; I 94
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 51H-I
Toward I 290: Aurora, Ida B Wells Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I-290 West, IL 110: Aurora, West Suburbs
Use the slight left lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
Toward Ashland Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 290; IL 110
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Eisenhower Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 15A
Toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora, Indiana
Use the slight left lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110
22 mi
·
26 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 138
Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
Use the slight right lane.
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 117
Toward IL 31, IL 56 East
Use the right lane.
17
Turn right onto IL 31
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
South Lincolnway Street
18
Continue on IL 31
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
North Lake Street
19
Turn right onto West Galena Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
West Galena Boulevard
20
Arrive at destination
West Galena Boulevard
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.8 mi from Woodlawn, IL · 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.8 miles from Woodlawn, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.75 one way
$15.51 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $8.51 | $17.03 |
| premium | $4.89 | $9.55 | $19.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.95 | $21.90 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.43
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(23.9 mi)
$1.43
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Tolls
$1
Total
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.9 | 0 | $5.21 | $2.38 |
| Efficient EV | 12.4 | 0 | $4.34 | $1.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.8 | 0 | $6.94 | $3.17 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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
Afternoon in Aurora on Thursday
Local time
3:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Elmhurst, IL
25 mi in
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
1h 11m 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 Woodlawn, IL to Aurora, IL covers 49.6 miles and takes about 1h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, Eisenhower Expressway, Dan Ryan Expressway (Express). Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 24.8 miles from Woodlawn, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.75 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 49.6 miles you will encounter 16 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 8.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.4 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Woodlawn, IL and Aurora, IL, road signs point toward Suburbs, Indiana and 22Nd Street (Cermak Road).
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.
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