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Trip from Akron, IL to Aurora, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 33m

Distance

117 mi

188 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 24m ★
6 AM
2h 34m
8 AM
2h 55m
10 AM
2h 41m
12 PM
2h 39m
3 PM
2h 42m
5 PM
2h 54m
8 PM
2h 28m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city and the county seat of Summit County, Ohio, United States

Akron, IL

Wikimedia Commons

city on tripoints of DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties in Illinois, United States

Aurora, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are planning to travel from Akron to Aurora, Illinois, you are looking at a 117-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 33 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $18 on fuel for the trek, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. The drive primarily utilizes I-80, Illinois Route 71, and County Road 1400 East to navigate across the Midwest. Since both your start and end points are within Illinois, the transition remains consistent throughout the journey. It is a straightforward, practical connection that keeps you moving efficiently between these two points.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

58.5 miles from Akron, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 31.7 mi 34m
Illinois Route 71 30.2 mi 44m
County Road 1400 East 17.8 mi 20m
I 180 8.9 mi 9m
North 4th Street 7.5 mi 8m
West Truitt Road 6.6 mi 11m
IL 31 5.9 mi 9m
North State Route 40 2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 31.7 mi, about 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Akron, IL and Aurora, IL.

1

Start on North Elevator Road

0.2 mi · 49 sec · North Elevator Road
2

Turn left onto West Akron Road

1.3 mi · 3 min · West Akron Road
3

Turn left onto IL 40

2.0 mi · 3 min · North State Route 40
4

Turn right onto CR 72

6.6 mi · 11 min · West Truitt Road
5

Continue on West Truitt Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · West Truitt Avenue
6

At end of road, turn left onto IL 29

7.5 mi · 8 min · North 4th Street
7

Continue on IL 29

1.1 mi · 1 min · Railroad Street
8

Continue on IL 29

18 mi · 20 min · County Road 1400 East
9

Merge onto I 180

8.9 mi · 9 min · I 180
10

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 80 East: Joliet
11

Merge onto I 80

32 mi · 34 min · I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Exit 93 Toward IL 71: Ottawa, Oswego Use the slight right lane.
13

Turn left onto IL 71

30 mi · 44 min · Illinois Route 71
Use the straight lane.
14

Turn left onto Orchard Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Orchard Road
Use the left lane.
15

Turn right onto US 34

1.2 mi · 2 min · US 34
Use the right lane.
16

Continue on IL 31

2.5 mi · 4 min · IL 31
17

Continue on IL 31

3.4 mi · 5 min · IL 31
Use the left lane.
18

Turn left onto West Galena Boulevard

0.1 mi · 9 sec · West Galena Boulevard
Use the left lane.
19

Arrive at destination

West Galena Boulevard

Trip Plan

Because this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. With only one planned stop required to cover the 117 miles, you can easily pace your travel to avoid peak traffic hours. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $18 estimated cost assumes efficient highway travel. Since the route relies on a combination of I-80 and smaller roads like County Road 1400 East, verify your navigation before leaving to ensure you are prepared for the transition between high-speed lanes and local pavement. Taking your single stop during the transition off I-80 is a smart way to break up the 2-hour and 33-minute duration effectively.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 58.5 miles from Akron, IL, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.7 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 26 miles or 38m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 58.5 miles or 1h 14m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 1m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aurora, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Akron, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Akron, IL

This is one driving day of about 117 miles and 2h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Akron, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 31.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ottawa, IL

59 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Washburn, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Peru, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 58.5 miles from Akron, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · final third

La Mexicana Restaurant & Grocery Store

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ottawa, Illinois

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third · 55min to go 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+18154334714

Visit website

La Mexicana Restaurant & Grocery Store

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Ottawa, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+18154334714

Visit website

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour Moderately

Oswego, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16305513912

Visit website

Oak Street Restaurant And Bar

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

North Aurora, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+16303017202

Visit website

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately

Oswego, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16305513219

Visit website

Ta Canijo Taco Trucks

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Yorkville, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+16303852680

Cielito Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour Moderately

Plano, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+16302732045

Visit website

Lucky Panda Chinese Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Aurora, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16308989360

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 46.4 and 116.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
46.4 mi into trip | ~1h 1m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 East: Joliet

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 80 East: Joliet
5
46.8 mi into trip | ~1h 1m in | I 80

Merge onto I 80

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
78.6 mi into trip | ~1h 35m in

Take the exit toward IL 71: Ottawa, Oswego

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 93 Toward IL 71: Ottawa, Oswego
6
78.8 mi into trip | ~1h 36m in | IL 71 / Illinois Route 71

Turn left onto IL 71 / Illinois Route 71

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
116.9 mi into trip | ~2h 33m in | West Galena Boulevard

Turn left onto West Galena Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.29 one way

$36.58 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $20.08 $40.17
premium $4.89 $22.52 $45.03
diesel $5.61 $25.83 $51.66

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 40.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 35.1 0 $12.29 $5.62
Efficient EV 29.3 0 $10.24 $4.68
EV Truck/SUV 46.8 0 $16.38 $7.49

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 21, 2026

Origin

Akron, IL

Late night in Akron on Tuesday

Local time

5:38 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Aurora, IL

Late night in Aurora on Tuesday

Local time

5:38 AM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

65°F

Ottawa, IL

59 mi in

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

5 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 33m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 68% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will experience a mix of fast-paced transit and local road navigation as you transition between I-80, Route 71, and County Road 1400 East. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 31.7-mile segment on I-80, which serves as the primary backbone of the trip. While the highway portions offer steady cruising, the inclusion of local roads ensures you remain attentive to changing conditions. Expect the character of the road to shift as you move from the interstate onto secondary routes, providing a varied experience behind the wheel.

68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 31.7 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Illinois Route 71. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 46.4 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 117 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 46.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 46.8 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Akron, IL to Aurora, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Oswego along the way.

Oswego

78.6 mi in | ~1h 35m

About the Cities

Arriving in Aurora, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1835

Aurora is the second-largest city in the U.S. state of Illinois, located about 35 miles west of Chicago. It's at the very edge of Chicagoland and, situated on the Fox River, has many opportunities for urban, suburban, and rural recreation. Often overlooked, Aurora in fact has many surprisingly interesting attractions and a downtown unlike that of a typical suburb. It is probably best known for being the setting of the "Wayne's World" movies.

Top landmarks

  • • Aurora University — private university in Aurora, Illinois, U.S
  • • Hotel Arthur — United States historic place
  • • Graham Building — historic building in Aurora, Illinois

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 33m. Total distance: 117 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 31.7 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Aurora, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 46.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 46.8 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Aurora, IL before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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