How far is Aurora, IL from Forest Lake, IL?
The driving distance from Aurora, IL to Forest Lake, IL is about 49.3 miles (79.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 33.7 miles (54.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 14m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 07m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Aurora and Forest Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aurora and Forest Lake.
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1
Start on West Galena Boulevard
575 ft · 15 sec · West Galena Boulevard
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2
Turn left onto North Lake Street
2.2 mi · 4 min · North Lake Street
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3
Continue on South Lincolnway Street
1885 ft · 39 sec · South Lincolnway Street
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4
Take the ramp left toward I 88 West Toll, IL 56 West Toll: Chicago, Dekalb-Iowa
118 m · 10 sec
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5
Keep slight right to continue on I 88 East: Chicago
736 ft · 18 sec
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6
Continue on I 88 East: Chicago
896 ft · 22 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
15.2 mi · 19 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 355 Toll North: Northwest Suburbs
1.1 km · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
10.6 mi · 13 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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10
Merge slight left
5.6 mi · 7 min
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11
Keep slight left
8.9 mi · 12 min
-
12
Continue on Lake Cook Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Lake Cook Road
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13
Continue on North Rand Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · North Rand Road
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14
Turn right onto Quentin Road
2.9 mi · 5 min · Quentin Road
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15
Turn right onto West Highland Drive
700 ft · 29 sec · West Highland Drive
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16
Turn left onto North Field Road
86 m · 10 sec · North Field Road
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Field Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Aurora and Forest Lake.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
15.2 mi · 00h 19m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Aurora and Mostly Sunny near Forest Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Aurora to Forest Lake?
The road trip is about 49.3 miles (79.4 km) and usually takes 01h 07m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Glendale Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.7 miles from Aurora and 24.7 miles from Forest Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 33.7 miles (54.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:16 PM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.02 one way or $16.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Aurora and Mostly Sunny near Forest Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Glendale Heights
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Glendale Heights.
Naperville
La Grange Road
Summit
Glenview station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Aurora and Forest Lake. Straight-line distance: 33.73 mi (54.29 km).
#1 Aurora
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 196,383 |
| Coordinates | 41.7605800, -88.3200700 |
| Altitude | 207 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Forest Lake
Forest Lake is a place in Illinois, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 42.2075200, -88.0556300 |
| Altitude | 248 |
| Country | United States |
End: Forest Lake (-88.05563, 42.20752)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 79 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.61 | $8.02 | $16.03 |
| Mid-grade | $5.24 | $9.12 | $18.24 |
| Premium | $5.79 | $10.08 | $20.16 |
| Diesel | $6.59 | $11.47 | $22.94 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Illinois · Nov 06, 2026