Aurora, IL to Beardstown, IL is 214.9 miles and takes about 4h 26m via I 55 and IL 125, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, traversing Illinois for its entirety. Expect a predominantly highway experience for most of the trip. With a recommended one-day duration, this route is ideal for a straightforward transit between these two points, offering a practical connection across the state.
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
107.5 miles from Aurora, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
114.7 mi
2h 2m
IL 125
35.6 mi
51m
IL 47
22.1 mi
25m
South Lake Street
5.9 mi
9m
West Jefferson Street
5 mi
7m
South Sherman Boulevard
4.6 mi
7m
Minkler Road
4.3 mi
6m
Veterans Parkway
4.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 114.7 mi, about 2h 2m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,279 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,681
Quietest
2 AM
~150 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 41 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 Aurora, IL and Beardstown, IL.
1
Start on West Galena Boulevard
0.1 mi·15 sec·West Galena Boulevard
2
Turn right onto IL 31
5.9 mi·9 min·South Lake Street
Use the right lane.
3
Continue on US 34
1.2 mi·2 min·US 34
4
Turn left onto Orchard Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Orchard Road
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on Minkler Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Minkler Road
6
Enter roundabout onto Minkler Road
128 ft·3 sec·Minkler Road
7
Continue on Minkler Road
3.4 mi·5 min·Minkler Road
8
At end of road, turn right onto IL 126
0.5 mi·47 sec·East Schoolhouse Road
9
Turn left onto Ashley Road
3.8 mi·5 min·Ashley Road
10
Turn right onto Caton Farm Road
1.5 mi·2 min·Caton Farm Road
11
Turn left
7.2 mi·9 min
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on North Bridge Street
1.3 mi·1 min·North Bridge Street
13
Continue on IL 47
22 mi·25 min·IL 47
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 55 South: Bloomington
15
Merge onto I 55
62 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 55
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
52 mi·56 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, SpringfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit onto I 55 Business
0.5 mi·1 min·I 55 Business
Toward Sherman
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 Business
317 ft·7 sec·I 55 Business
Toward Sherman
19
Merge onto I 55 Business
4.6 mi·7 min·South Sherman Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on IL 4; IL 29
4.1 mi·5 min·Veterans Parkway
Use the left lane.
21
Take the exit
475 ft·14 sec
22
Turn straight onto IL 97
5.0 mi·7 min·West Jefferson Street
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on IL 125
36 mi·51 min·IL 125
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto Beardstown Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Beardstown Road
Use the right lane.
25
Turn slight left onto Wall Street
0.8 mi·3 min·Wall Street
26
Arrive at destination
Wall Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 26m estimated drive time, starting your trip in the morning allows ample time to reach Beardstown before evening. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 114 miles on I 55, so plan your first break before or after this segment. With a fuel cost estimated around $38, it's wise to fill up before departing Aurora. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in timing your stops for fuel or a quick rest. Keep an eye on your GPS as you transition off I 55 onto state routes, as the driving pace will change.
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 107.5 miles from Aurora, IL, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.7 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 47 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.5 miles or 2h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Beardstown, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Aurora, 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 Aurora, IL
This is one driving day of about 214.9 miles and 4h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Aurora, 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 114.7 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 111.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|IL 31 / South Lake Street
Turn right onto IL 31 / South Lake Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
12.2 mi into trip|~20m in|IL 126 / East Schoolhouse Road
At end of road, turn right onto IL 126 / East Schoolhouse Road
Navigation decision point
5
18 mi into trip|~28m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
48.6 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward I 55 South: Bloomington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 55 South: Bloomington
8
111.4 mi into trip|~2h 12m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
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 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.74 one way
$63.47 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$35.04
$70.07
premium
$4.72
$39.90
$79.80
diesel
$4.80
$40.58
$81.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.5
0
$22.56
$10.32
Efficient EV
53.7
0
$18.80
$8.60
EV Truck/SUV
86
1
$30.09
$13.75
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Aurora, IL
Late night
in Aurora on Monday
Local time
2:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Smoke
0 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Beardstown, IL
Late night
in Beardstown on Monday
Local time
2:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy
WSW 1 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
85°F
Bloomington, IL
107 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
3 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
4h 26m 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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 170.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 83% of the drive on high-speed roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 114.7 miles on I 55 before transitioning to other roads. After leaving the interstate, expect a change in the driving environment as you move onto surface roads like IL 125 and IL 47 for the remainder of your trip.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 114.7 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and IL 125. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near IL 31 / South Lake Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 214.9 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 0.1 miles (IL 31 / South Lake Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles (IL 126 / East Schoolhouse Road): Navigation decision point; at 18 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
814 ft448 ft
Total Climb
434 ft
Total Descent
661 ft
Highest Point
814 ft
~107.5 mi in
Elevation Range
366 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Aurora, IL and Beardstown, IL, road signs point toward Springfield and Sherman.
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 4h 26m. Total distance: 214.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 114.7 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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 Beardstown, 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 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (IL 31 / South Lake Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles (IL 126 / East Schoolhouse Road): Navigation decision point; at 18 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Beardstown, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
