How far is Wheaton, IL from Lake of the Woods, IL?

The driving distance from Wheaton, IL to Lake of the Woods, IL is about 154.9 miles (249.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 01m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 115.5 miles (185.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
154.9 mi
03h 01m
Flight
115.48 mi
185.85 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Wheaton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
115.48 mi
Kilometers
185.85 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
154.9 mi
Kilometers
249.28 km
Drive Time
03h 01m

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 03h 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lake of the Woods
Mon, Nov 2, 3:13 AM CST
Return by in Wheaton
Mon, Nov 2, 6:14 AM CST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Wheaton
2026-11-02T00:11
Arrive Lake of the Woods
Mon, Nov 2, 3:13 AM CST
Route Timing
03h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:02 AM to 11:02 AM CST

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:56 AM CST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Wheaton
9:00 PM CST
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Otto
IL

Township in Kankakee County, Illinois

From Wheaton
77.4 mi
01h 30m
To Lake of the Woods
77.4 mi
01h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Monday

Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Mon, Nov 2 6:00 AM CST
Wind
5 to 15 mph SSE
Destination
67°F
Monday

Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Mon, Nov 2 6:00 AM CST
Wind
9 to 16 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Wheaton and Lake of the Woods.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wheaton and Lake of the Woods.

  1. 1

    Start on West Wesley Street

    761 ft · 23 sec · West Wesley Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Wheaton Avenue

    142 m · 28 sec · North Wheaton Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto West Front Street

    897 ft · 31 sec · West Front Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    2252 ft · 1 min · South Main Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto East Roosevelt Road

    906 ft · 26 sec · East Roosevelt Road

  6. 6

    Turn right onto South Naperville Road

    3.9 mi · 7 min · South Naperville Road

  7. 7

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 88 Toll East: Chicago

    1704 ft · 42 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

    3.1 mi · 4 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet

    1961 ft · 48 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 355 South: Joliet

    2223 ft · 54 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway

    19.4 mi · 22 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Indiana

    1.3 mi · 3 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    10.6 mi · 12 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward I 57 South: Memphis

    3222 ft · 1 min

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    106.8 mi · 1 hr 56 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward I 74 West: Peoria

    2125 ft · 1 min

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    4.8 mi · 5 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward Prairieview Road

    1777 ft · 43 sec

  19. 19

    Turn right onto South Prairieview Road

    1.3 mi · 3 min · South Prairieview Road

  20. 20

    Turn left onto County Road 50

    1318 ft · 1 min · County Road 50

  21. 21

    Turn left onto North Lake of the Woods Road

    138 m · 14 sec · North Lake of the Woods Road

  22. 22

    Turn left

    92 m · 24 sec

  23. 23

    Turn left

    42 m · 10 sec

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Wheaton and Lake of the Woods.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
24 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
5 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 57 South
107 mi · 69%
Veterans Memorial Tollway
19.4 mi · 13%
I 80 East
11.9 mi · 8%
I 74 West
5.16 mi · 3%
South Naperville Road
3.88 mi · 3%
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
3.05 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 57 South

Merge slight left

107 mi · 01h 56m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 01m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+39.4 mi
115.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Otto
01h 30m from Wheaton
Leave By
10:56 AM CST
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Wheaton and Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Lake of the Woods.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Wheaton to Lake of the Woods?

The road trip is about 154.9 miles (249.3 km) and usually takes 03h 01m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Otto is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.4 miles from Wheaton and 77.4 miles from Lake of the Woods.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 115.5 miles (185.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:56 AM CST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.92 one way or $51.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Wheaton and Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Lake of the Woods.

Stop Ideas Near Otto

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Otto, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Otto.

RAIL

Kankakee

8 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Gilman

33 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.
RAIL

Dwight station

45 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

55 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Wheaton and Lake of the Woods. Straight-line distance: 115.48 mi (185.85 km).

Wheaton

#1 Wheaton

The most populous city in DuPage County, Illinois.

Population52,451
Coordinates41.8661400, -88.1070100
Altitude231
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Lake of the Woods

Census designated place in Illinois, United States

Population2,912
Coordinates40.2064200, -88.3686700
Altitude228
CountryUnited States
Start: Wheaton (-88.10701, 41.86614)
End: Lake of the Woods (-88.36867, 40.20642)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 249 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 09m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 05m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 12m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.47 gal
20.69 L · about $25.92
Round trip
$51.84
10.94 gal · 41.38 L
Estimated CO2
48.6 kg one way
Round trip: 97.2 kg / 214 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.74 $25.92 $51.84
Mid-grade $5.36 $29.34 $58.67
Premium $5.92 $32.37 $64.74
Diesel $6.64 $36.33 $72.65

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 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Wheaton and Lake of the Woods. The current time is 00:11:54.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.