Roscoe, IL to Aurora, IL is 82.3 miles and takes about 1h 38m via I-39 and Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to the Midwest region. It’s a straightforward drive that should be easy to manage within a single day. Plan for a quick journey with minimal complexity, making it a convenient option for a short relocation or a quick visit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.1 miles from Roscoe, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
38 mi
40m
I 39
25.7 mi
28m
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
8.3 mi
8m
Belvidere Road
4.5 mi
7m
North Lake Street
2.2 mi
4m
West Lane Road
1.2 mi
1m
IL 56
0.6 mi
1m
South Lincolnway Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
— 38 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Roscoe, IL and Aurora, IL.
1
Start on Main Street
106 ft·10 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto Bridge Street
0.2 mi·22 sec·Bridge Street
3
Continue on Belvidere Road
4.5 mi·7 min·Belvidere Road
4
Turn right
189 ft·6 sec
5
Turn straight onto IL 173
1.2 mi·1 min·West Lane Road
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
7
Merge onto I 39; I 90; US 51
8.3 mi·8 min·Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; US 51
0.8 mi·52 sec·I 39; US 51
Toward I 39, US 51 South: Bloomington
9
Continue on I 39; US 20; US 51
2.1 mi·2 min·I 39; US 20; US 51
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; US 51
23 mi·24 min·I 39; US 51
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 97AToward I 88 East Toll: Chicago
12
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
38 mi·40 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
13
Take the exit onto IL 56
0.6 mi·1 min·IL 56
Exit 117Toward IL 31 East, IL 56 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto IL 31
0.4 mi·52 sec·South Lincolnway Street
15
Continue on IL 31
2.2 mi·4 min·North Lake Street
16
Turn right onto West Galena Boulevard
0.1 mi·9 sec·West Galena Boulevard
17
Arrive at destination
West Galena Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 38 minutes, this trip is easily completed in one day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. You'll want to keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially with the longest stretch of 38 miles on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, and plan to refuel before hitting that segment if needed. Since it's a shorter drive, you won't need extensive stops, but there are ample opportunities for quick breaks along the tollways. Factor in the $13 fuel cost when budgeting for your travel.
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 41.1 miles from Roscoe, IL, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38 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 18 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.1 miles or 49m 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 20m
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 Roscoe, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Roscoe, IL
This is one driving day of about 82.3 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Roscoe, 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 38 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 79.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Bridge Street
Turn left onto Bridge Street
Navigation decision point
4
6 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
6
14.9 mi into trip|~20m in|I 39; US 51
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; US 51 toward I 39, US 51 South: Bloomington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 39, US 51 South: Bloomington
5
40.7 mi into trip|~48m 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
8
79.1 mi into trip|~1h 30m 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
$12.87 one way
$25.73 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$14.13
$28.25
premium
$4.89
$15.84
$31.68
diesel
$5.61
$18.17
$36.34
Estimated Tolls: $2.86
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(38 mi)$2.28
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(8.3 mi)$0.58
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
$13
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.7
0
$8.64
$3.95
Efficient EV
20.6
0
$7.20
$3.29
EV Truck/SUV
32.9
0
$11.52
$5.27
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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 15, 2026
Origin
Roscoe, IL
Night
in Roscoe on Saturday
Local time
11:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Aurora, IL
Night
in Aurora on Saturday
Local time
11:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°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
3 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
1h 38m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed drive, with 32% of it on highways. You'll experience about 1 hour and 38 minutes of travel time, including a longest stretch of 38 miles on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. The journey primarily utilizes I-39 and the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway before merging onto the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. Expect a drive that balances efficient highway travel with potential for slightly slower speeds as you navigate different road segments.
32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Bridge Street.
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 82.3 miles you will encounter 10 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: near the start (Bridge Street): Navigation decision point; at 6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 14.9 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 82.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (32%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.86 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 Aurora, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Bridge Street): Navigation decision point; at 6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 14.9 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Aurora, IL before heading back.
