How far is Aurora, IL from Lake Forest, IL?
The driving distance from Aurora, IL to Lake Forest, IL is about 58.3 miles (93.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 42.3 miles (68.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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 19m.
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.
City in Cook County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Aurora and Lake Forest.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aurora and Lake Forest.
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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
17.8 mi · 22 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
3128 ft · 1 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
1156 ft · 28 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
27.2 mi · 34 min · Tri-State Tollway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward IL 60: Town Line Road
2941 ft · 58 sec
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13
Turn straight onto East Townline Road
2448 ft · 52 sec · East Townline Road
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14
Continue on Townline Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Townline Road
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15
Continue on W Kennedy Road
2498 ft · 49 sec · W Kennedy Road
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16
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Skokie Highway
1396 ft · 30 sec · South Skokie Highway
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17
Take the exit slight right
1302 ft · 38 sec
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18
Turn right onto West Deerpath
1.2 mi · 3 min · West Deerpath
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19
Turn left onto North McKinley Road
2419 ft · 52 sec · North McKinley Road
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20
Turn slight right onto East Woodland Road
62 m · 7 sec · East Woodland Road
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21
Turn slight left onto Griffith Road
22 m · 3 sec · Griffith Road
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Griffith Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Aurora and Lake Forest.
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.
Tri-State Tollway
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
27.2 mi · 00h 34m
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.
Sunny leaving Aurora and Partly Sunny near Lake Forest.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Aurora to Lake Forest?
The road trip is about 58.3 miles (93.8 km) and usually takes 01h 19m 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?
Northlake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 29.1 miles from Aurora and 29.1 miles from Lake Forest.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 42.3 miles (68.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 16 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:52 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.77 one way or $15.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Aurora and Partly Sunny near Lake Forest.
Stop Ideas Near Northlake
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 Northlake.
La Grange Road
Summit
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Aurora and Lake Forest. Straight-line distance: 42.31 mi (68.09 km).
#1 Aurora
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 196,383 |
| Coordinates | 41.7605800, -88.3200700 |
| Altitude | 207 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lake Forest
City in Lake County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 19,379 |
| Coordinates | 42.2586300, -87.8406300 |
| Altitude | 210 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Forest (-87.84063, 42.25863)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 94 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $7.77 | $15.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $8.76 | $17.52 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $9.59 | $19.17 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $10.93 | $21.85 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.