Aurora, IL to Carthage, IL is 236.7 miles and takes about 4h 32m via Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway and IL 110, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest's more populated areas toward its western edge. Expect a mix of tollway cruising and surface road driving as you make your way southwest. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this is a straightforward trip for a single day.
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
118.3 miles from Aurora, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
72.3 mi
1h 17m
IL 110
56.7 mi
1h 7m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
50.3 mi
55m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
38.9 mi
41m
West Jackson Street
6.2 mi
10m
East Campbell Street
3.1 mi
4m
North Lake Street
2.2 mi
4m
North Lafayette Street
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
— 72.3 mi, about 1h 17m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 2 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~862 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,082
Quietest
2 AM
~96 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 34 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 Carthage, IL.
1
Start on West Galena Boulevard
0.1 mi·15 sec·West Galena Boulevard
2
Turn left onto IL 31
2.2 mi·4 min·North Lake Street
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on South Lincolnway Street
0.4 mi·39 sec·South Lincolnway Street
4
Take the ramp
387 ft·9 sec
Toward I 88 West Toll, IL 56 West Toll: Chicago, Dekalb-IowaUse the left lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 56
0.6 mi·1 min·IL 56
Toward I 88 West, IL 56 West: DeKalb-IowaUse the straight lane.
6
Merge onto I 88; IL 56; IL 110
2.8 mi·3 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110
69 mi·1 hr 14 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Toward I 88 Toll West, IL 47: DeKalbUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 88; IL 110
1.1 mi·1 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
9
Continue on I 88; IL 110
38 mi·40 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Exit 41
10
Continue on I 88; IL 92; IL 110
5.4 mi·5 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
11
Take the exit onto IL 110
7.1 mi·8 min·IL 110
Toward I 80: Peoria
12
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 110
31 mi·33 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
13
Take the exit onto IL 110
50 mi·59 min·IL 110
Exit 46AToward US 34 West: Monmouth
14
Continue on US 67
1.2 mi·1 min·East 1200th Street
15
Continue on US 67
1.6 mi·2 min·North Lafayette Street
16
Turn right onto US 136
0.2 mi·26 sec·West Calhoun Street
17
Continue on US 136
398 ft·11 sec·North Johnson Street
18
Turn right onto US 136
6.2 mi·10 min·West Jackson Street
19
Continue on US 136
0.6 mi·50 sec·Macomb Street
20
Continue on US 136
0.6 mi·56 sec·East North Street
21
Continue on US 136
3.1 mi·4 min·East Campbell Street
22
Turn right onto US 136; IL 110; IL 336
14 mi·15 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
23
Take the exit onto US 136
1.6 mi·2 min·US 136
Toward US 136 West, IL 94 North: Carthage, Keokuk
24
Turn right onto IL 94
62 ft·1 sec·North Madison Street
25
Arrive at destination
IL 94
Trip Plan
For this 4.5-hour drive, departing Aurora, IL early in the morning is ideal, allowing you to arrive in Carthage, IL with plenty of daylight. You only have one recommended stop, so consider making it around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. The fuel cost is estimated at $37, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Aurora to avoid unnecessary stops. The transition from tollway to surface roads around the IL 110 segment is something to be aware of as you'll encounter more local traffic.
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 118.3 miles from Aurora, IL, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.3 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 52 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.3 miles or 2h 9m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carthage, 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 236.7 miles and 4h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 72.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway reset
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
$10 to $20
Colona, Illinois
Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm
+13099670134
Sammy's Slots Video & Gaming Cafe
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Early stretch
4.9 mi from route
~12 min detour
$20 to $30
Rock Falls, Illinois
Hours: 8 am–1 pm
+18157168318
7brew
Early in the drive, ~12 min detour
Early stretch
4.8 mi from route
~12 min detour
Dixon, Illinois
DeKalb Oasis
0.1 mi from route
KrisdalaBaka Rest Area (Eastbound)
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.3 mi from route
KrisdalaBaka Rest Area (Westbound)
0.4 mi from route
Rest Area
1.5 mi from route
Road Ranger
2.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 158.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|IL 31 / North Lake Street
Turn left onto IL 31 / North Lake Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
2.6 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 88 West Toll, IL 56 West Toll: Chicago, Dekalb-Iowa
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 88 West Toll, IL 56 West Toll: Chicago...
8
2.7 mi into trip|~5m in|IL 56
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 56 toward I 88 West, IL 56 West: DeKalb-Iowa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 88 West, IL 56 West: DeKalb-Iowa
8
6.1 mi into trip|~9m in|I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward I 88 Toll West, IL 47: DeKalb
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 88 Toll West, IL 47: DeKalb
5
158.3 mi into trip|~2h 53m in|IL 110
Take the exit onto IL 110 toward US 34 West: Monmouth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 46A
Toward US 34 West: Monmouth
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.96 one way
$69.91 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$38.59
$77.18
premium
$4.72
$43.95
$87.90
diesel
$4.80
$44.69
$89.39
Estimated Tolls: $4.34
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(72.3 mi)$4.34
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71
0
$24.85
$11.36
Efficient EV
59.2
0
$20.71
$9.47
EV Truck/SUV
94.7
1
$33.14
$15.15
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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
Aurora, IL
Late night
in Aurora on Sunday
Local time
5:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
WNW 10 to 15 mph59% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:14AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 10:10AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Carthage, IL
Late night
in Carthage on Sunday
Local time
5:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:14AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 10:10AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
87°F
Buckeye, IL
118 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
2 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 32m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 46% of this 236.7-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a main road is 72.3 miles along the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. After this, you'll transition to IL 110 and the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, which will feel more like surface road cruising with more frequent exits. Be prepared for a change in pace as the highway portion concludes.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.3 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 / North Lake Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 236.7 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 / North Lake Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.7 miles (IL 56): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 32m. Total distance: 236.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.3 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.34 in tolls one way, starting with Reagan Memorial Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 9 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 Carthage, 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 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (IL 31 / North Lake Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.7 miles (IL 56): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Carthage, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
