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Trip from Aurora, IL to Jerome, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 31m

Distance

180.7 mi

291 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 19m ★
6 AM
3h 32m
8 AM
3h 56m
10 AM
3h 40m
12 PM
3h 38m
3 PM
3h 42m
5 PM
3h 55m
8 PM
3h 24m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city on tripoints of DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties in Illinois, United States

Aurora, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Jerome, IL, IL

Jerome, IL

Mike Tyurin

Trip Overview

If you are looking to travel from Aurora to Jerome, you are in for a straightforward 180.7-mile journey through the Illinois heartland. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 31 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable trip to tackle in a single day. You will primarily navigate via I-55, IL-47, and South Lake Street, relying heavily on highway infrastructure to bridge the distance. Budgeting approximately $27 for fuel should cover your transit costs comfortably. Since the entire trip takes place within the Midwest, the drive maintains a consistent regional feel throughout. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, this route offers a reliable, no-nonsense path between these two Illinois locations.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

90.3 miles from Aurora, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 127.2 mi 2h 16m
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
South MacArthur Boulevard 1.5 mi 3m
Caton Farm Road 1.5 mi 2m
I 72 1.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 127.2 mi, about 2h 16m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Aurora, IL and Jerome, 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, Springfield Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36

1.5 mi · 1 min · I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
18

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Toward Springfield
19

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 18 sec
20

Turn straight onto South MacArthur Boulevard

1.5 mi · 3 min · South MacArthur Boulevard
Use the left lane.
21

Turn left onto Junction Circle

0.3 mi · 52 sec · Junction Circle
Use the left lane.
22

Turn right onto South Park Avenue

143 ft · 11 sec · South Park Avenue
Use the right lane.
23

Turn left onto Wabash Avenue

0.4 mi · 49 sec · Wabash Avenue
Use the left lane.
24

Turn right onto Leonard Street

0.2 mi · 49 sec · Leonard Street
25

Turn left onto Reed Avenue

34 ft · 1 sec · Reed Avenue
26

Arrive at destination

Reed Avenue

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 3.5-hour trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the drive is relatively short, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a smart move. Keep a close watch on your fuel gauge during the long 127.2-mile interstate segment, as this is where you will consume the bulk of your $27 budget. Because this is a single-day trip, prioritize a consistent pace to ensure you reach Jerome without unnecessary fatigue. By keeping your stops efficient, you can easily maintain your momentum and complete the drive in one smooth push.

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 90.3 miles from Aurora, IL, or about 1h 50m 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 40 miles or 55m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 90.3 miles or 1h 50m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 52m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jerome, 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 180.7 miles and 3h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 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.

Downtown Normal, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Normal, IL

90 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

Oswego, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Normal, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 90.3 miles from Aurora, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 127.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

James' Home Kitchen

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Springfield, Illinois

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 4:30–8:30 pm

+12176792006

Visit website

Bloomin Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Normal, Illinois

0.5 mi

Star 66 Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Springfield, Illinois

1.6 mi

James' Home Kitchen

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: 4:30–8:30 pm

+12176792006

Visit website

Bloomin Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Normal, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+13098081071

Visit website

Star 66 Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12175230611

Visit website

Fort Jesse Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Normal, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13094515656

Visit website

Coffeehouse in Uptown Normal

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Normal, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+13094526774

Visit website

Taco Gringo South

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+12176702905

Visit website

Pizza Ranch

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+12176798844

Visit website

Krekel's Custard & Hamburgers

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Grandview, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+12175254952

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Rivian Waypoints

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484261

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484273

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Atlanta, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Normal, Illinois

+13094549590

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 180 — 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.
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
6
180 mi into trip | ~3h 29m in | South Park Avenue

Turn right onto South Park Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.25 one way

$56.50 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 63 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $31.02 $62.04
premium $4.89 $34.77 $69.55
diesel $5.61 $39.90 $79.79

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 63.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 54.2 0 $18.97 $8.67
Efficient EV 45.2 0 $15.81 $7.23
EV Truck/SUV 72.3 0 $25.30 $11.56

Gas CO2

63 kg

EV CO2

21 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 Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Aurora, IL

Morning in Aurora on Tuesday

Local time

9:13 AM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Jerome, IL

Morning in Jerome on Tuesday

Local time

9:13 AM

CDT

Current temp

71°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

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

3h 31m 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 trip is defined by its efficiency, with 84% of the route dedicated to highway driving. You will settle into a steady rhythm quickly, highlighted by a significant 127.2-mile stretch on I-55 that serves as the backbone of your journey. While the transition from local roads like South Lake Street and IL-47 provides a brief change of pace, the character of the drive is undeniably highway-focused. You should prepare for a consistent, high-speed experience that favors directness over technical complexity. It is a functional path designed to move you across the state with as little fuss as possible.

84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 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?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and IL 47. 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 / South Lake 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 19 significant decision points across 180.7 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 / South Lake Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 48.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 111.4 miles (I 55): 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.

On the drive from Aurora, IL to Jerome, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.

Springfield

111.4 mi in | ~2h 12m | via I 55

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 3h 31m. Total distance: 180.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (84%). 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.

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 Jerome, 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 0.1 miles (IL 31 / South Lake Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 48.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 111.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Jerome, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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Return Trip

Jerome, IL to Aurora, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

181.1 mi 3h 31m

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