Alton, IL to Aurora, IL is 259.5 miles and takes about 5h 3m via I 55 and IL 47, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest and within Illinois, offering a straightforward path from one part of the state to another. With a high percentage of highway driving, it’s a relatively quick trip. Plan for about 1 day of driving. This route is a good option if you need to get between these two areas efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
129.7 miles from Alton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
189.6 mi
3h 23m
IL 47
32 mi
38m
State Route 140
9.7 mi
13m
IL 31
5.9 mi
9m
Minkler Road
4.3 mi
6m
College Avenue
3.9 mi
6m
Ashley Road
2.8 mi
3m
West Bethalto Drive
1.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 189.6 mi, about 3h 23m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,843 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,285
Quietest
2 AM
~153 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alton, IL and Aurora, IL.
1
Start on Alby Street
190 ft·10 sec·Alby Street
2
Turn right onto East Broadway
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Broadway
3
Turn right onto US 67
0.4 mi·36 sec·Piasa Street
4
Continue on US 67
0.9 mi·1 min·Martin Luther King Drive
5
Turn right onto College Avenue
0.2 mi·25 sec·College Avenue
6
Turn right
67 ft·1 sec
7
Enter roundabout onto College Avenue
380 ft·9 sec·College Avenue
8
Continue on College Avenue
3.6 mi·6 min·College Avenue
9
Continue on IL 111; IL 140
1.3 mi·2 min·West Macarthur Drive
10
Continue on IL 111; IL 140
1.4 mi·2 min·West MacArthur Drive
11
Continue on IL 140
1.8 mi·3 min·West Bethalto Drive
12
Continue on IL 140
9.6 mi·13 min·State Route 140
13
Continue on IL 140
0.8 mi·1 min·West State Street
14
Continue on IL 140
443 ft·13 sec·State Route 140
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
16
Merge onto I 55
97 mi·1 hr 44 min·I 55
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
64 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·35 sec
Exit 220Toward IL 47: Morris, DwightUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn left onto IL 47
32 mi·38 min·IL 47
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto Walker Road
1.5 mi·2 min·Walker Road
22
Turn left onto Ashley Road
2.8 mi·3 min·Ashley Road
23
At end of road, turn right onto IL 126
0.5 mi·46 sec·East Schoolhouse Road
24
Turn left onto Minkler Road
3.4 mi·4 min·Minkler Road
25
Enter roundabout onto Minkler Road
126 ft·3 sec·Minkler Road
26
Continue on Minkler Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Minkler Road
27
Continue on Orchard Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Orchard Road
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right onto US 34
1.2 mi·2 min·US 34
Use the right lane.
29
Continue on IL 31
2.5 mi·4 min·IL 31
30
Continue on IL 31
3.4 mi·5 min·IL 31
Use the left lane.
31
Turn left onto West Galena Boulevard
0.1 mi·9 sec·West Galena Boulevard
Use the left lane.
32
Arrive at destination
West Galena Boulevard
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, consider leaving in the morning to give yourself plenty of daylight. Since it’s a single-day trip, you won't need to worry about booking overnight stays. The longest stretch without a major road change is nearly 190 miles on I 55, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you get too far into that section. The estimated fuel cost is around $40. Keep an eye out for the transition from I 55 to IL 47, as this is where the highway portion of your drive concludes.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 129.7 miles from Alton, IL, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 189.6 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 57 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.7 miles or 2h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h
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 Alton, 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 Alton, IL
This is one driving day of about 259.5 miles and 5h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Alton, 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 55 for about 189.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 259.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.7 mi into trip|~2m in|College Avenue
Enter roundabout onto College Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
117.3 mi into trip|~2h 17m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
146.6 mi into trip|~2h 49m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
8
210.2 mi into trip|~3h 57m in
Take the exit toward IL 47: Morris, Dwight
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 220
Toward IL 47: Morris, Dwight
6
259.4 mi into trip|~5h 3m in|West Galena Boulevard
Turn left onto West Galena Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.32 one way
$76.64 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$42.31
$84.61
premium
$4.72
$48.18
$96.36
diesel
$4.80
$49.00
$98.00
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.9
0
$27.25
$12.46
Efficient EV
64.9
0
$22.71
$10.38
EV Truck/SUV
103.8
1
$36.33
$16.61
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Alton, IL
Late night
in Alton on Monday
Local time
5:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
W 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Aurora, IL
Late night
in Aurora on Monday
Local time
5:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 to 10 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
85°F
Bloomington, IL
130 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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 3m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on the highway, with 92% of the 259.5 miles on interstates. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 189.6 miles on I 55. After that, you'll transition to surface roads, using IL 47 and State Route 140. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate the highway sections.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 189.6 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and IL 47. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near College Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 259.5 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (College Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 117.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
814 ft493 ft
Total Climb
539 ft
Total Descent
357 ft
Highest Point
814 ft
~148.3 mi in
Elevation Range
320 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Alton, IL and Aurora, IL, road signs point toward Peoria and Dwight.
Alton is a charming river town in Illinois just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri. Once a blue collar town of heavy manufacturing, Alton has transformed itself into a tourist destination and wedding and reception resort of the Midwest.
Top landmarks
•Alton National Cemetery — United States National Cemetery located in the city of Alton, in Madison County,...
•Alton Military Prison — prison located in Alton, Illinois
•Upper Alton Historic District — historic district in Illinois, United States
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 3m. Total distance: 259.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 189.6 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (College Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 117.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Aurora, IL before the return drive.
