IL 56 begins at a partial cloverleaf interchange with US 30/IL 47 in Sugar Grove, located east of the Aurora Municipal Airport.

IL 56 then meets Galena Boulevard at another partial cloverleaf interchange, which directly connects to Aurora and its downtown area.

With the exception of the Golf View Road junction for westbound traffic, this interchange is the only intermediate exit between US 30/IL 47 and I-88.

Between the Batavia Spur of the Illinois Prairie Path and the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway overpass, IL 56 serves as the southern border for Fermilab.

IL 56 goes through commercial and industrial developments beyond I-355 in Downers Grove, such as Yorktown Center in Lombard.

The surrounding commercial development wanes as IL 56 goes through residential areas in Elmhurst, Hillside, and Bellwood.