Naperville to Nauvoo is 244.2 miles and takes about 4h 45m via Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This all-Illinois drive travels through the Midwest, moving from a suburban setting into more rural landscapes. It's a straightforward trip primarily on major highways, making it an efficient option for a single-day excursion. Plan for a relatively smooth experience with minimal complications, especially if you're looking for a direct connection between these two Illinois points.
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
122.1 miles from Naperville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
80.4 mi
1h 27m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
38.9 mi
41m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
36.7 mi
39m
IL 110
28.8 mi
34m
US 34
28.4 mi
34m
IL 96
9.1 mi
13m
354th Avenue
8.2 mi
10m
71st Street
5.8 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
— 80.4 mi, about 1h 27m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 2 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~862 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,082
Quietest
2 AM
~96 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 34 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Naperville, IL and Nauvoo, IL.
1
Start on North Washington Street
50 ft·5 sec·North Washington Street
2
Turn right onto US 34
0.4 mi·45 sec·West Ogden Avenue
3
Turn right onto Mill Street
1.1 mi·2 min·Mill Street
4
Turn left onto West Diehl Road
0.6 mi·1 min·West Diehl Road
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto Winfield Road
0.4 mi·59 sec·Winfield Road
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 88 West: AuroraUse the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
11 mi·12 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110
69 mi·1 hr 14 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Toward I 88 Toll West, IL 47: DeKalbUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 88; IL 110
1.1 mi·1 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
10
Continue on I 88; IL 110
38 mi·40 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Exit 41
11
Continue on I 88; IL 92; IL 110
5.4 mi·5 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
12
Take the exit onto IL 110
7.1 mi·8 min·IL 110
Toward I 80: Peoria
13
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 110
31 mi·33 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
14
Take the exit onto IL 110
22 mi·26 min·IL 110
Exit 46AToward US 34 West: Monmouth
15
Take the exit onto US 34
28 mi·34 min·US 34
Toward US 34 West: Burlington
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 261Toward US 61: Fort Madison
17
Turn left onto US 61
1.3 mi·1 min·North Roosevelt Avenue
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 61
5.7 mi·6 min·71st Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 61
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway 61
20
Continue on US 61
0.1 mi·9 sec·71st Street
21
Continue on US 61
4.8 mi·5 min·354th Avenue
22
Take the exit onto US 61 Business
0.4 mi·53 sec·US 61 Business
23
Turn left onto US 61 Business
3.4 mi·5 min·354th Avenue
24
Continue on US 61 Business
0.3 mi·27 sec·2nd Street
25
Turn left onto Fort Madison Bridge
1.2 mi·4 min·Fort Madison Bridge
26
Turn right onto IL 96
9.1 mi·13 min·IL 96
27
Turn right onto North Wells Street
68 ft·2 sec·North Wells Street
28
Arrive at destination
North Wells Street
Trip Plan
Consider leaving Naperville in the morning to take advantage of the full day for your 4h 45m drive to Nauvoo. With a total distance of 244.2 miles, it's very manageable to complete in one go, but a mid-drive stop around the halfway point could be refreshing. Pay attention to the transition from the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway to surface roads, as this is where the driving pace will change. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $43, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially if you prefer to fill up before hitting more rural stretches.
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 122.1 miles from Naperville, IL, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.4 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 54 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.1 miles or 2h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nauvoo, 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 244.2 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 80.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Early stretch
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
$10 to $20
Sterling, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–1 pm
+18155905472
The Speakeasy at La Bella Notte
5.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Early stretch
2.2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Rock Falls, Illinois
Hours: 11:30 am–9:30 pm
+18157168559
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.5 and 216.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.5 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 88 West: Aurora
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 88 West: Aurora
5
2.9 mi into trip|~6m 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.
8
13.9 mi into trip|~19m 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 Toll West, IL 47: DeKalb
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 88 Toll West, IL 47: DeKalb
5
166.1 mi into trip|~3h 2m in|IL 110
Take the exit onto IL 110 toward US 34 West: Monmouth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 46A
Toward US 34 West: Monmouth
5
216.1 mi into trip|~4h 3m in
Take the exit toward US 61: Fort Madison
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 261
Toward US 61: Fort Madison
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.06 one way
$72.13 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$39.81
$79.62
premium
$4.72
$45.34
$90.68
diesel
$4.80
$46.11
$92.22
Estimated Tolls: $4.83
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(80.4 mi)$4.83
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
$36
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.3
0
$25.64
$11.72
Efficient EV
61.1
0
$21.37
$9.77
EV Truck/SUV
97.7
1
$34.19
$15.63
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Naperville, IL
Late night
in Naperville on Sunday
Local time
3:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 10 to 15 mph43% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:50AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Nauvoo, IL
Late night
in Nauvoo on Sunday
Local time
3:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
87°F
Buckeye, IL
122 mi in
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 45m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features 43% highway driving, with the longest stretch covering 80.4 miles on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. You'll transition from highway cruising to surface roads as you approach your destination. Expect a mix of driving experiences, from higher-speed travel on the tollway to more localized traffic patterns on the latter part of the drive. The highway segments offer consistent speeds, while the surface roads will require more attention to local conditions and potential intersections.
43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.4 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 2.5 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 244.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.9 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.
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 4h 45m. Total distance: 244.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.4 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.83 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 — we found about 9 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Nauvoo, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.9 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.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Nauvoo, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
