Origin
Aurora, IL
Late night in Aurora on Tuesday
Local time
5:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Aurora, IL to Gilman, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 6m
Distance
89.4 mi
144 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
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
Gilman, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Aurora, IL to Gilman, IL is 89.4 miles and takes about 2h 6m via I 57, I 55, and County Road North 303 West, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, specifically within Illinois, making it a straightforward journey. Expect a mixed drive with a significant portion on interstates, but also some time on county roads. It’s a relatively short trip, perfect for a single-day excursion without feeling overly rushed. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to travel between these two Illinois locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.7 miles from Aurora, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 24 mi | 25m |
| I 55 | 15.8 mi | 18m |
| County Road North 303 West | 7.8 mi | 13m |
| Lincoln Highway | 7.4 mi | 11m |
| Old Chicago Road | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| IL 102 | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| West Peotone Road | 3 mi | 4m |
| South Chicago Road | 2.5 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 24 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aurora, IL and Gilman, IL.
1
Start on West Galena Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
West Galena Boulevard
2
Turn left onto IL 25
458 ft
·
13 sec
·
North Broadway
3
Turn right onto East New York Street
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
East New York Street
4
Turn slight right
175 ft
·
8 sec
5
Turn slight right onto North Ohio Street
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
North Ohio Street
6
Turn left onto East Galena Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East Galena Boulevard
7
Continue on Hill Avenue
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Hill Avenue
Use the left lane.
8
Turn straight onto US 30
7.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Lincoln Highway
Use the left lane.
9
Turn left onto US 30
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
143rd Street
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto US 30; IL 59
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Division Street
Use the right lane.
11
Turn left onto US 30
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
North Joliet Road
Use the left lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 55 South: Bloomington
13
Merge onto I 55
16 mi
·
18 min
·
I 55
Use the right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward North River Road
15
Turn left onto CH 44
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
County Highway 44
16
Continue on CH 44
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North River Road
17
Continue on CH 44
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
New River Road
18
At end of road, turn right onto IL 53
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
South Chicago Road
19
Turn left onto CH 25
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
West Peotone Road
20
Turn right onto CH 7
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Chicago Road
21
Continue on Old Chicago Road
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Old Chicago Road
22
At end of road, turn left onto IL 102
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
IL 102
23
Turn right onto CH 20
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Warner Bridge Rd North 7000W Road
24
Turn left onto IL 113
7.8 mi
·
13 min
·
County Road North 303 West
25
Continue on IL 113
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
North Wall Street
26
Continue on South Wall Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Wall Street
27
Continue on West Water Street
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
West Water Street
28
Continue on US 45; US 52
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
South East Avenue
29
Turn right onto US 45; US 52
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
South Schuyler Avenue
30
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
Toward I-57 South: Champaign
31
Merge onto I 57
24 mi
·
25 min
·
I 57
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 283
Toward US 24: Gilman, Chatsworth
33
Turn straight onto US 24
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
County Road 1700 N
34
Turn left onto US 24; US 45
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Crescent Street
35
Arrive at destination
US 24; US 45
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 6m duration, this is a trip you can easily complete in a single day. Leaving Aurora in the morning should give you ample time to reach Gilman with plenty of daylight to spare. Since the longest uninterrupted stretch is 24 miles, you won't need to worry about extended periods without services. Plan your fuel stops accordingly, keeping in mind the estimated $14 fuel cost. The flexibility of a shorter drive means you can depart at your convenience, but be mindful of the transition from interstate to county roads as you near Gilman, as services might become less frequent.
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 44.7 miles from Aurora, IL, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24 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 20 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.7 miles or 1h 5m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gilman, 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 89.4 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Aurora, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 24 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
45 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 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 44.7 miles from Aurora, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 11.8 and 87.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
11.8 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
US 30 / 143rd Street
Turn left onto US 30 / 143rd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
12.8 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
US 30; IL 59 / North Division Street
Turn right onto US 30; IL 59 / North Division Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
16.2 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Take the ramp toward I 55 South: Bloomington
Navigation decision point
Toward I 55 South: Bloomington
5
16.5 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
I 55
Merge onto I 55
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
87.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
Take the exit toward US 24: Gilman, Chatsworth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 283
Toward US 24: Gilman, Chatsworth
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.98 one way
$27.95 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $15.35 | $30.69 |
| premium | $4.89 | $17.20 | $34.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.74 | $39.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.8 | 0 | $9.39 | $4.29 |
| Efficient EV | 22.4 | 0 | $7.82 | $3.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.8 | 0 | $12.52 | $5.72 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Gilman, IL
Late night in Gilman on Tuesday
Local time
5:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
16 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?
This drive offers a mixed experience, with 49% of the journey utilizing major highways like I-57 and I-55. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 24 miles on I-57, providing a good opportunity for consistent speed. As you transition to County Road North 303 West, the character of the drive will likely shift to a more local feel. While not a heavily scenic route, it balances the efficiency of interstate travel with the quieter pace of county roads, offering a varied driving experience over its 89.4 miles.
49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 24 mi on I 57.
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 11.8 miles in near US 30 / 143rd Street.
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 20 significant decision points across 89.4 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 11.8 miles (US 30 / 143rd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.8 miles (US 30; IL 59 / North Division Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.2 miles: Navigation decision point.
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: 89.4 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 (49%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 24 miles on I 57. 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 Gilman, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.8 miles (US 30 / 143rd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.8 miles (US 30; IL 59 / North Division Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.2 miles: Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Gilman, 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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