How far is Lake of the Woods, IL from Aurora, IL?
The driving distance from Lake of the Woods, IL to Aurora, IL is about 116.5 miles (187.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 107.4 miles (172.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 56m 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 02h 28m.
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.
Village in the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake of the Woods and Aurora.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake of the Woods and Aurora.
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1
Start on the route
42 m · 11 sec
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2
Turn right
92 m · 28 sec
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3
Turn left onto North Lake of the Woods Road
1.8 mi · 4 min · North Lake of the Woods Road
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4
Turn right onto East Oak Street
2380 ft · 54 sec · East Oak Street
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5
Turn right onto South Lombard Street
2633 ft · 1 min · South Lombard Street
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6
Continue on County Road 400 East
1174 ft · 29 sec · County Road 400 East
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7
Continue on County Road 350 East
4.5 mi · 7 min · County Road 350 East
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8
Continue on County Road 400 East
7.5 mi · 10 min · County Road 400 East
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9
Continue on County Road 450 East
2.1 mi · 3 min · County Road 450 East
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10
Continue on North 450 East Road
3.5 mi · 5 min · North 450 East Road
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11
Continue on North 450E Road
117 m · 7 sec · North 450E Road
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12
Continue on South Sangamon Avenue
2297 ft · 55 sec · South Sangamon Avenue
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13
Turn left onto West 1st Street
2529 ft · 54 sec · West 1st Street
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14
Turn slight right
42 m · 7 sec
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15
Turn right
77.9 mi · 1 hr 50 min
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16
Turn right onto Walker Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Walker Road
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17
Turn left onto Ashley Road
2.8 mi · 4 min · Ashley Road
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18
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Schoolhouse Road
2391 ft · 46 sec · East Schoolhouse Road
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19
Turn left onto Minkler Road
3.4 mi · 5 min · Minkler Road
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Minkler Road
38 m · 4 sec · Minkler Road
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21
Exit the roundabout onto Minkler Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Minkler Road
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22
Continue on Orchard Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Orchard Road
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23
Turn right
1.2 mi · 2 min
-
24
Continue straight
2.5 mi · 4 min
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25
Continue straight
3.4 mi · 6 min
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26
Turn left onto West Galena Boulevard
575 ft · 10 sec · West Galena Boulevard
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Galena Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake of the Woods and Aurora.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Longest stretch
Turn right
77.9 mi · 01h 50m
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 then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lake of the Woods and Partly Sunny near Aurora.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake of the Woods to Aurora?
The road trip is about 116.5 miles (187.5 km) and usually takes 02h 28m 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?
Emington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 58.3 miles from Lake of the Woods and 58.2 miles from Aurora.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 107.4 miles (172.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.1 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 1:34 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.50 one way or $31.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lake of the Woods and Partly Sunny near Aurora.
Stop Ideas Near Emington
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 Emington.
Dwight station
Pontiac station
Gilman
Kankakee
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake of the Woods and Aurora. Straight-line distance: 107.41 mi (172.86 km).
#1 Lake of the Woods
Census designated place in Illinois, United States
| Population | 2,912 |
| Coordinates | 40.2064200, -88.3686700 |
| Altitude | 228 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Aurora
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 196,383 |
| Coordinates | 41.7605800, -88.3200700 |
| Altitude | 207 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Galena Boulevard (-88.320111, 41.76053)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 187 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $15.50 | $31.00 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $17.48 | $34.96 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $19.13 | $38.26 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $21.80 | $43.60 |
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 · Apr 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.