This 119.9-mile drive from Lena, Illinois, to Naperville, Illinois, is an easy one-day trip, typically taking about 2 hours and 21 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway and U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, with a portion on I-39. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $19. Given its relatively short distance and straightforward path through the Midwest, it's perfectly suited for a single day without the need for an overnight stop. Expect a practical, no-frills journey that gets you from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.9 miles from Lena, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
46.3 mi
51m
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
36.7 mi
44m
I 39
21.5 mi
23m
West State Road
9.8 mi
11m
Mill Street
1.1 mi
2m
IL 73
1 mi
1m
West Diehl Road
0.7 mi
1m
North Schuyler Street
0.6 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
— 46.3 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lena, IL and Naperville, IL.
1
Start on West Lena Street
93 ft·3 sec·West Lena Street
2
Turn right onto IL 73
0.6 mi·55 sec·North Schuyler Street
3
Continue on IL 73
1.0 mi·1 min·IL 73
4
Turn left onto US 20
25 mi·30 min·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
5
Continue on US 20
9.8 mi·11 min·West State Road
6
Continue on US 20
11 mi·13 min·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Toward US 20 East: Chicago
7
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
8
Merge onto I 39; US 51
21 mi·23 min·I 39; US 51
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 97AToward I 88 East Toll: Chicago
10
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
46 mi·51 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 125Toward Winfield RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto Winfield Road
0.2 mi·26 sec·Winfield Road
Use the right lane.
13
Turn left onto West Diehl Road
0.7 mi·1 min·West Diehl Road
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto Mill Street
1.1 mi·2 min·Mill Street
Use the right lane.
15
Turn left onto US 34
0.4 mi·48 sec·West Ogden Avenue
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto North Washington Street
50 ft·1 sec·North Washington Street
Use the left lane.
17
Arrive at destination
North Washington Street
Trip Plan
For this efficient drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your day and potentially avoid any midday traffic. Since it's a shorter trip of 119.9 miles, you have the flexibility to take breaks as needed rather than adhering to a strict schedule. The estimated fuel cost is $19, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before setting off, especially since a significant portion isn't on high-speed tollways. Keep an eye out for the transitions between the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway and the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, as these can be points where you'll need to adjust your navigation.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59.9 miles from Lena, IL, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.3 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 26 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.9 miles or 1h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Naperville, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lena, 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 Lena, IL
This is one driving day of about 119.9 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Lena, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 46.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway reset
4.2 mi from route
~10 min detour
$10 to $20
Rochelle, Illinois
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+18155623430
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 70.5 and 119.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
70.5 mi into trip|~1h 22m in
Take the exit toward I 88 East Toll: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 97A
Toward I 88 East Toll: Chicago
5
70.9 mi into trip|~1h 23m 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.
7
117.2 mi into trip|~2h 15m in
Take the exit toward Winfield Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 125
Toward Winfield Road
6
118.4 mi into trip|~2h 17m in|Mill Street
Turn right onto Mill Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
119.5 mi into trip|~2h 20m in|US 34 / West Ogden Avenue
Turn left onto US 34 / West Ogden Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.74 one way
$37.49 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$20.58
$41.16
premium
$4.89
$23.07
$46.15
diesel
$5.61
$26.47
$52.94
Estimated Tolls: $2.78
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(46.3 mi)$2.78
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
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36
0
$12.59
$5.76
Efficient EV
30
0
$10.49
$4.80
EV Truck/SUV
48
0
$16.79
$7.67
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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 20, 2026
Origin
Lena, IL
Late night
in Lena on Tuesday
Local time
4:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Naperville, IL
Late night
in Naperville on Tuesday
Local time
4:11 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
4 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
2h 21m 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
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
near mile 119.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is best described as a turn-heavy local experience combined with highway segments. With only 19% of the route on highways, you'll find yourself on a variety of roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 46.3 miles on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, offering a brief period of consistent speed. However, much of the drive will involve navigating local roads, which means more turns and potentially varying speed limits. This mix suggests a journey where you'll need to stay engaged with the road conditions.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.3 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
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 70.5 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
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 119.9 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 70.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 70.9 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 119.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.3 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.78 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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Naperville, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 70.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 70.9 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Naperville, IL before heading back.
