Origin
Aurora, IL
Late night in Aurora on Sunday
Local time
2:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Aurora, IL to Jackson, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 53m
Distance
269.5 mi
434 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 40m
★
6 AM
5h 53m
8 AM
6h 19m
10 AM
6h 2m
12 PM
6h 0m
3 PM
6h 4m
5 PM
6h 18m
8 PM
5h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Aurora, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Jackson, IL
Stéphane Tendon
Trip Overview
This 269.5-mile drive from Aurora, IL to Jackson, IL is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 53 minutes. You'll navigate primarily via I-57 and I-55, with a segment on US-50, making it a highway-focused journey through the heart of the Midwest. With a projected fuel cost of around $42, this route offers a straightforward transit between two points within Illinois. It's a practical option for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
134.8 miles from Aurora, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 53m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 117.7 mi | 2h 6m |
| US 50 | 18.7 mi | 25m |
| I 55 | 15.8 mi | 18m |
| North 1250th Street | 13.3 mi | 19m |
| South Van Buren Street | 11 mi | 15m |
| Route 130 | 10 mi | 14m |
| County Road North 303 West | 7.8 mi | 13m |
| Lincoln Highway | 7.4 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 117.7 mi, about 2h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aurora, IL and Jackson, 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
118 mi
·
2 hr 6 min
·
I 57
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 190A
Toward IL 16 East: Charleston
33
Turn straight onto IL 16
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Charleston Avenue East
34
Continue on IL 16
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Illinois Route 16
35
Continue on IL 16
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
West Lincoln Avenue
36
Turn right onto IL 130
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
18th Street
37
Continue on IL 130
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Illinois Route 130
38
Continue on IL 130
10.0 mi
·
14 min
·
Route 130
39
Continue on IL 130
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road 1825 East
40
Continue on IL 130
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road 1775 E
41
Continue on IL 130
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
North Haughton Highway
42
Continue on IL 130
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
1700E
43
Continue on IL 130
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
North Haughton Highway
44
Continue on IL 130
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
County Road 1700E
45
Continue on IL 130
13 mi
·
19 min
·
North 1250th Street
46
Turn left onto IL 130
11 mi
·
15 min
·
South Van Buren Street
47
Continue on IL 130
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
County Road 1100 East
48
Continue on IL 130
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North West Street
49
Turn left onto West Butler Street
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
West Butler Street
50
Turn right onto North Lincoln Avenue
481 ft
·
16 sec
·
North Lincoln Avenue
51
Turn left onto East Main Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
52
Turn left onto US 50; IL 250
19 mi
·
25 min
·
US 50; IL 250
53
Take the exit onto US 50 Business
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 50 Business
54
Continue on US 50 Business
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
State Street
55
Turn right
257 ft
·
11 sec
56
Continue on 990N
523 ft
·
10 sec
·
990N
57
Arrive at destination
990N
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 53-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential traffic. With only one designated stop on this 269.5-mile route, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or before a long stretch like the 117.7 miles on I-57. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition between major highways, and factor in the estimated $42 fuel cost. This drive is manageable in one day, so you have the flexibility to depart when it suits you best.
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 134.8 miles from Aurora, IL, or about 2h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.7 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 59 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.8 miles or 2h 53m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jackson, 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 269.5 miles and 5h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 57 for about 117.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
135 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 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 134.8 miles from Aurora, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 117.7 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 275 decision points cluster between mile 11.8 and 181 — 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.
5
181 mi into trip
|
~3h 42m in
Take the exit toward IL 16 East: Charleston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 190A
Toward IL 16 East: Charleston
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.13 one way
$84.27 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $46.26 | $92.52 |
| premium | $4.89 | $51.86 | $103.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.50 | $119.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.9 | 0 | $28.30 | $12.94 |
| Efficient EV | 67.4 | 0 | $23.58 | $10.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.8 | 1 | $37.73 | $17.25 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Destination
Jackson, IL
Late night in Jackson on Sunday
Local time
2:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
23 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 53m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-intensive experience on this route, with 64% of your travel on interstates. The drive features a significant 117.7-mile stretch on I-57, offering a consistent pace for a considerable portion of your journey. While predominantly highway, you'll also encounter US-50, which may offer a slight change in scenery and driving style. The overall profile is a straightforward, efficient transit designed for covering distance.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
57 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 117.7 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and US 50. 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 27 significant decision points across 269.5 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 5h 53m. Total distance: 269.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 117.7 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Jackson, 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. 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Jackson, IL before the return drive.
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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