Origin
Aurora, IL
Evening in Aurora on Sunday
Local time
7:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Aurora, IL to Fulton, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 6m
Distance
106.2 mi
171 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 58m
★
6 AM
2h 7m
8 AM
2h 25m
10 AM
2h 13m
12 PM
2h 11m
3 PM
2h 14m
5 PM
2h 24m
8 PM
2h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Aurora, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Fulton, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Aurora, IL to Fulton, IL is 106.2 miles and takes about 2h 6m via Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward trip through the Midwest, entirely within Illinois, making it a simple same-day excursion. The majority of your travel will be on a well-maintained tollway, so expect a smooth and efficient transit. With a relatively short distance and minimal stops recommended, this route is ideal for a quick getaway or a practical commute. Prepare for a drive that's mostly highway, so pack some snacks and enjoy the ease of this direct path.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.1 miles from Aurora, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | 72.3 mi | 1h 17m |
| Lincoln Road | 16.7 mi | 22m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 7.8 mi | 8m |
| North Lake Street | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| 14th Avenue | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| East Lincoln Way | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| East Lincolnway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 10th Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
— 72.3 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aurora, IL and Fulton, 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-Iowa
Use 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-Iowa
Use 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: DeKalb
Use 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
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Exit 41
10
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 30: Clinton, Rock Falls, Sterling
11
Continue on Lincoln Road
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
Lincoln Road
12
Continue on US 30
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East Lincoln Way
13
Continue on US 30; IL 78
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Lincolnway
14
Continue on US 30; IL 78
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Lincoln Way
15
Continue on US 30; IL 78
7.6 mi
·
10 min
·
Lincoln Road
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
17
Turn straight onto IL 136
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
14th Avenue
18
Turn right onto IL 84
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
Waller Road
19
Turn left onto 10th Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
10th Avenue
20
Turn right onto 9th Street
20 ft
·
0 sec
·
9th Street
21
Arrive at destination
9th Street
Trip Plan
Given this trip is only 2 hours and 6 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will ensure you have plenty of daylight to reach Fulton without feeling rushed. There are no recommended stops, so you can push through if you prefer, or pull over at one of the many service areas along the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $16 budget is an estimate and it's always wise to fill up before you get too low, especially on toll roads where services can be spread out. The transition from the tollway to Lincoln Road and then the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway marks the shift to surface streets, so be ready to adjust your speed.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 53.1 miles from Aurora, IL, or about 59m 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 23 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.1 miles or 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fulton, 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 106.2 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Aurora, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 53.1 miles from Aurora, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 83.4 — 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
83.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward US 30: Clinton, Rock Falls, Sterling
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 30: Clinton, Rock Falls, Sterling
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.20 one way
$32.40 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.27 | $17.84 | $35.69 |
| premium | $4.81 | $20.09 | $40.19 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $22.59 | $45.18 |
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
$16
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.9 | 0 | $11.15 | $5.10 |
| Efficient EV | 26.6 | 0 | $9.29 | $4.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.5 | 0 | $14.87 | $6.80 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Fulton, IL
Evening in Fulton on Sunday
Local time
7:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
43°F
Flagg, IL
53 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 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 6m 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?
You'll spend about 72.3 miles on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, which is 100% of your route. This means you'll have a long stretch of consistent highway cruising before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a consistent driving experience with minimal interruptions for the bulk of the trip. The highway's directness means you won't encounter many complex merges or dense exit sequences until you're closer to Fulton.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 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?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near IL 31 / North Lake Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 106.2 miles you will encounter 10 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 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Fulton, IL, road signs point toward Rock Falls and Sterling.
Rock Falls
83.4 mi in
|
~1h 32m
Sterling
83.4 mi in
|
~1h 32m
About the Cities
Starting 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 6m. Total distance: 106.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (1%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
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, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Fulton, 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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