Aurora, IL to Jacksonville, IL is 209.4 miles and takes about 4h 1m via I 55 and I 72, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to the Midwest region. It's a straightforward, mostly highway drive connecting two points within the same state. Given the relatively short duration, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion. Plan for a practical transit between these two Illinois locations.
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
104.7 miles from Aurora, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
127.2 mi
2h 16m
I 72
28.9 mi
30m
IL 47
22.1 mi
25m
South Lake Street
5.9 mi
9m
Minkler Road
4.3 mi
6m
Ashley Road
3.8 mi
5m
East Morton Avenue
2.5 mi
3m
Caton Farm Road
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 127.2 mi, about 2h 16m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,843 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,285
Quietest
2 AM
~153 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Jacksonville, 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
65 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, SpringfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36
29 mi·30 min·I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
18
Take the exit onto I 72 Business
0.4 mi·48 sec·I 72 Business
Toward I 72 Business West: Jacksonville
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 72 Business
431 ft·11 sec·I 72 Business
Toward I 72 Business West: Jacksonville
20
Turn right onto I 72 Business
0.6 mi·56 sec·Old Route 36
21
Continue on I 72 Business
2.5 mi·3 min·East Morton Avenue
22
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South Main Street
23
At end of road, turn right onto South Central Park Plaza
33 ft·0 sec·South Central Park Plaza
24
Arrive at destination
South Central Park Plaza
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, consider leaving Aurora, IL in the morning to maximize your daylight hours in Jacksonville, IL. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $33, you have flexibility. The longest stretch is 127.2 miles on I 55, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration between breaks or fuel. You might want to top off your tank before departing Aurora, as services can become less frequent on longer highway segments. This trip is easily manageable in one day, allowing for a relaxed departure.
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 104.7 miles from Aurora, IL, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 127.2 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 46 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.7 miles or 2h 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 3h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jacksonville, 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 209.4 miles and 4h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 127.2 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 176.2 — 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
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
6
176.2 mi into trip|~3h 23m in|I 72; US 36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36 toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.92 one way
$61.85 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$34.14
$68.28
premium
$4.72
$38.88
$77.76
diesel
$4.80
$39.54
$79.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.8
0
$21.99
$10.05
Efficient EV
52.4
0
$18.32
$8.38
EV Truck/SUV
83.8
1
$29.32
$13.40
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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 19, 2026
Origin
Aurora, IL
Morning
in Aurora on Sunday
Local time
6:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Smoke
NE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:28PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:22PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Jacksonville, IL
Morning
in Jacksonville on Sunday
Local time
6:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
N 2 to 7 mph52% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:28PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:22PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
85°F
Bloomington, IL
105 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
6 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 1m 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
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 173.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 86% of the 209.4 miles on major interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 127.2 miles on I 55, which means extended periods of consistent cruising. The profile is mostly highway, so expect a steady pace until you transition to IL 47 for the final segment. The highway portion offers a consistent driving experience with fewer interruptions.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 127.2 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 72. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near IL 31 / South Lake Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 209.4 miles you will encounter 16 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 / South Lake Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles (IL 126 / East Schoolhouse Road): Navigation decision point; at 48.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
842 ft556 ft
Total Climb
419 ft
Total Descent
481 ft
Highest Point
842 ft
~104.7 mi in
Elevation Range
286 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Aurora, IL to Jacksonville, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
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
Jacksonville is in western Illinois. It's a small town but packed with history, exuding an inexplicable charm captured in the eponymous song "Jacksonville" by Sufjan Stevens.
Top landmarks
•Jacksonville Historic District — historic district in Illinois, USA
•Morgan County Courthouse — local government building in the United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 1m. Total distance: 209.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 127.2 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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 Jacksonville, 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 19 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 48.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Jacksonville, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
