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Trip from Blackhawk, IL to Aurora, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 45m

Distance

124.4 mi

200 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 35m ★
6 AM
2h 46m
8 AM
3h 7m
10 AM
2h 53m
12 PM
2h 51m
3 PM
2h 54m
5 PM
3h 6m
8 PM
2h 39m

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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Downtown Blackhawk, IL, IL

Blackhawk, IL

Derek Keats

city on tripoints of DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties in Illinois, United States

Aurora, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Blackhawk, IL to Aurora, IL is 124.4 miles and takes about 2h 45m via Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway and US 52, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. It's a manageable single-day trip, offering a straightforward journey between these two points. The route primarily utilizes major roadways, making it a practical option for those looking for an efficient connection rather than an extensive scenic tour. Plan for a relatively quick transit time, suitable for a day trip or connecting to other travel plans.

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

62.2 miles from Blackhawk, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway 62.2 mi 1h 6m
US 52 35.4 mi 54m
IL 84 11.5 mi 18m
Chambers Road 10.6 mi 15m
North Lake Street 2.2 mi 4m
IL 56 0.6 mi 1m
Army Depot Road 0.5 mi 1m
South Lincolnway Street 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway — 62.2 mi, about 1h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Blackhawk, IL and Aurora, IL.

1

Start on Blackhawk Trail

336 ft · 16 sec · Blackhawk Trail
2

At end of road, turn right onto Army Depot Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Army Depot Road
3

Turn right onto IL 84

11 mi · 18 min · IL 84
4

Continue on US 52; IL 64

21 mi · 30 min · US 52; IL 64
5

Continue on US 52; IL 64

11 mi · 15 min · Chambers Road
6

Continue on US 52; IL 26

5.6 mi · 8 min · US 52; IL 26
7

Continue on South Il Route 26

352 ft · 5 sec · South Il Route 26
8

Continue on US 52; IL 26

9.3 mi · 15 min · US 52; IL 26
9

Turn left

0.2 mi · 26 sec
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
11

Merge onto I 88; IL 110

62 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
12

Take the exit onto IL 56

0.6 mi · 1 min · IL 56
Exit 117 Toward IL 31 East, IL 56 East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Turn right onto IL 31

0.4 mi · 52 sec · South Lincolnway Street
14

Continue on IL 31

2.2 mi · 4 min · North Lake Street
15

Turn right onto West Galena Boulevard

0.1 mi · 9 sec · West Galena Boulevard
16

Arrive at destination

West Galena Boulevard

Trip Plan

Given the 2h 45m duration, this is comfortably a one-day trip. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid early rush hour traffic in Aurora and to allow for a relaxed start from Blackhawk. The longest stretch on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway is over 60 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you get on that segment. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $19, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on the transition from the tollway to US 52 and IL 84, as this is where the character of the drive changes.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 62.2 miles from Blackhawk, IL, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.2 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 27 miles or 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 62.2 miles or 1h 34m 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 17m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aurora, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Blackhawk, 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 Blackhawk, IL

This is one driving day of about 124.4 miles and 2h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Blackhawk, 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 62.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in Illinois, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Polo, IL

62 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

Loran, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Dixon, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 62.2 miles from Blackhawk, 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 62.2 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · first break window

Sunshine Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Savanna, Illinois

Near the start, right off the route

First break · 12min in 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+18152730380

Sunshine Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Savanna, Illinois

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+18152730380

Subway

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.1 mi from route Inexpensiv

Mt Carroll, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+18152443739

Visit website

Oak Street Restaurant And Bar

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

North Aurora, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+16303017202

Visit website

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately

Oswego, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16305513219

Visit website

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour Moderately

Oswego, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16305513912

Visit website

Lucky Panda Chinese Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Aurora, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16308989360

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 7

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 121.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Army Depot Road

At end of road, turn right onto Army Depot Road

Navigation decision point

3
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | IL 84

Turn right onto IL 84

Navigation decision point

4
58.1 mi into trip | ~1h 29m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

4
58.3 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

8
121.2 mi into trip | ~2h 38m in | IL 56

Take the exit onto IL 56 toward IL 31 East, IL 56 East

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 117 Toward IL 31 East, IL 56 East

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.45 one way

$38.90 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $21.35 $42.71
premium $4.89 $23.94 $47.88
diesel $5.61 $27.47 $54.93

Estimated Tolls: $3.73

Reagan Memorial Tollway (62.2 mi) $3.73

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

$19

Tolls

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 43.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 37.3 0 $13.06 $5.97
Efficient EV 31.1 0 $10.89 $4.98
EV Truck/SUV 49.8 0 $17.42 $7.96

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 kg (66% 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 16, 2026

Origin

Blackhawk, IL

Late night in Blackhawk on Tuesday

Local time

3:56 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Aurora, IL

Late night in Aurora on Tuesday

Local time

3:56 AM

CDT

Current temp

65°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

5 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

2h 45m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This trip features a mixed drive profile, with 38% of the journey on highways. You'll spend a significant portion on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, including the longest stretch of 62.2 miles without needing to divert. While the tollway offers a faster pace, expect transitions to US 52 and IL 84, which will likely present a different driving experience, potentially with more local traffic and varied speed limits. This blend means you'll experience both efficient highway cruising and more typical road travel through populated areas.

38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.2 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

2/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Army Depot Road.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Blackhawk, IL to Aurora, IL is easy. At 2h 45m with 38% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Army Depot Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (IL 84): Navigation decision point; at 58.1 miles: Navigation decision point.

About the Cities

Arriving in Aurora, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1835

Aurora is the second-largest city in the U.S. state of Illinois, located about 35 miles west of Chicago. It's at the very edge of Chicagoland and, situated on the Fox River, has many opportunities for urban, suburban, and rural recreation. Often overlooked, Aurora in fact has many surprisingly interesting attractions and a downtown unlike that of a typical suburb. It is probably best known for being the setting of the "Wayne's World" movies.

Top landmarks

  • • Aurora University — private university in Aurora, Illinois, U.S
  • • Hotel Arthur — United States historic place
  • • Graham Building — historic building in Aurora, 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 2h 45m. Total distance: 124.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (38%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 62.2 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $3.73 in tolls one way, starting with Reagan Memorial Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Army Depot Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (IL 84): Navigation decision point; at 58.1 miles: Navigation decision point.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Aurora, IL before heading back.

How this page is built

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

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