Ottawa, IL Road Trips

Sitting in the Midwest, Ottawa, IL is a local road trip base with 6 trip routes mapped and ready to explore. Most drives stay under 58 miles, making this area well-suited for day trips and weekend getaways. Most routes from Ottawa, IL head east, giving the route network a clear directional lean.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Trip Routes

6

Longest Drive

143 mi

Springfield, IL

Quickest Drive

54m

Joliet, IL

Plan Around Ottawa, IL

Popular Incoming Routes

Useful if Ottawa, IL is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.

Springfield, IL to Ottawa, IL 143 mi · 2h 40m Bolingbrook, IL to Ottawa, IL 55.1 mi · 1h 5m Lockport, IL to Ottawa, IL 50.1 mi · 1h 5m

Continue From Ottawa, IL

Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.

Ottawa, IL to Chicago, IL 80.5 mi · 1h 42m Ottawa, IL to Naperville, IL 49.9 mi · 1h 20m Ottawa, IL to Joliet, IL 44.7 mi · 54m

Trips from Ottawa, IL

Ottawa, IL to Chicago, IL

80.5 mi 1h 42m

Ottawa, IL to Naperville, IL

49.9 mi 1h 20m

Ottawa, IL to Joliet, IL

44.7 mi 54m

Driving from Ottawa, IL

On average, trips departing from Ottawa, IL run 58 miles with a drive time of roughly 1h 19m. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 81 miles (1h 42m), while the shortest is just 45 miles.

Popular Destinations

The most popular drives from Ottawa, IL include Chicago, IL (80.5 mi, 1h 42m), Naperville, IL (49.9 mi, 1h 20m), and Joliet, IL (44.7 mi, 54m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.

Planning & Costs

Regular gas in IL currently averages around $3.77 per gallon. For the typical 58-mile trip from Ottawa, IL, budget about $9 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.

With an average drive under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility — leave whenever it suits you. Routes tend to go east, so afternoon departures put the sun at your back on the return leg.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 3 mapped routes leaving Ottawa, IL and 3 routes heading into Ottawa, IL, covering 6 total connections. Distances range from 45 to 81 miles.

The longest mapped route from Ottawa, IL covers 81 miles and takes approximately 1h 42m. Shorter options start at just 45 miles.

The average route from Ottawa, IL runs about 58 miles with a drive time of roughly 1h 19m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.

At current gas prices (about $3.77/gallon for regular), the average 58-mile trip from Ottawa, IL costs roughly $9 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.

The most popular road trip destinations from Ottawa, IL include Chicago, IL, Naperville, IL and Joliet, IL. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.

Ottawa, IL by the Numbers

Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Population

18,714

Median Income

$73,011

Median Home Value

$144,500

Median Age

40.3

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.

Traveler Guide to Ottawa, IL

Ottawa is one of many towns in the Illinois River Valley of Northern Illinois.

Ottawa was established in 1853 in the background of river traffic commerce on the Illinois River and the adjunct Illinois and Michigan Canal as a portal between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River. It also featured prominently in the Underground Railroad and the Lincoln-Douglas debates.

Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum, 1100 Canal St, ☏ +1 815-431-9353. Ottawa was the home of WD Boyce who founded scouting in America, ie The Boy Scouts of America, after learning firsthand about scouting in England while in preparation for an African expedition by a Scout who set him on his way when he was disoriented in the fog. (updated Jul 2023) Washington Square Park, 101 E Lafayette St, ☏ +1 815-434-2737. Has a monument regaling the Lincoln-Douglas debates. (updated Jul 2023) Reddick Mansion, 100 W Lafayette St, ☏ +1 815-433-6100. Italianate-style mansion commissioned by local politician William Reddick where the first of the Lincoln-Douglas debates took place in 1858. (updated Jul 2023) 1 John Hossack House, 210 W. Prospect St. Greek Revival home that was an important station on the Underground Railroad where something like 13 fugitive slaves were hidden by the owner, that ultimately led to him getting busted at one point for violating the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. Private residence now. (updated Jul 2023) 2 Buffalo Rock State Park, 1300 N 27th Rd, ☏ +1 815-433-2224. Across the Illinois River from Starved Rock State Park, it was a refuge for the Illinois Indians when Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet arrived by boat in 1673. At this park you can hike along the river bluffs, rent bikes, and see a few bison, and it is adjacent to the Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail. (updated Jul 2023) 3 Volvo Island. A tiny island on the river, on which a 2001 Volvo is placed. (updated Dec 2024)

Activities at Buffalo Rock or Starved Rock State Park or walking along the Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail.

Burger and Sushi House (B.A.S.H.), 1012 La Salle St., ☏ +1 815-434-2274. Tu-Th 4PM-9PM; F Sa 11AM-10PM. Roughly $20-30 per person. (updated Mar 2026) The Beach House, 700 La Salle St., ☏ +1 815-313-5553. Tu-Sa 4PM-9PM. (updated Mar 2026)

Court Street Pub, 620 Court St (in downtown Ottawa), ☏ +1 815-324-9032. W-Sa 11AM-midnight Sun 11AM-10PM. Nice little bar. Roughly $10-20 for 1 person. (updated Mar 2026)

Primitive camping at Buffalo Rock State Park, if you want to rough it. Getaway Starved Rock Cabins, 1879 N 2703rd Rd. An alternative sort of lodging experience than your typical chain hotel. (updated Jul 2023)

Ottawa is readily connected to Chicago and the Quad Cities and the country at large by I-80. North Central Area Transit provides transportation to and from other communities in LaSalle County like LaSalle.

Travel tips adapted from Ottawa (Illinois) on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.