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Trip from Aurora, IL to Knoxville, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 2m

Distance

165.2 mi

266 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 51m ★
6 AM
3h 2m
8 AM
3h 25m
10 AM
3h 10m
12 PM
3h 8m
3 PM
3h 12m
5 PM
3h 24m
8 PM
2h 56m

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

city in Knox County, State of Illinois, United States

Knoxville, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Aurora, IL to Knoxville, IL is 165.2 miles and takes about 3h 2m via Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to the Midwest region. The drive is primarily on well-maintained tollways and expressways, making for a straightforward journey. With only one recommended stop and a total drive time under four hours, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing plenty of time for your destination.

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

82.6 miles from Aurora, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway 72.3 mi 1h 17m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway 42 mi 45m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway 38.9 mi 41m
IL 110 7.1 mi 8m
North Lake Street 2.2 mi 4m
Henderson Road 0.8 mi 1m
IL 56 0.6 mi 1m
South Lincolnway Street 0.4 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 Knoxville, 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

38 mi · 40 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Exit 41
10

Continue on I 88; IL 92; IL 110

5.4 mi · 5 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
11

Take the exit onto IL 110

7.1 mi · 8 min · IL 110
Toward I 80: Peoria
12

Keep slight left at fork onto IL 110

37 mi · 39 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward Knoxville
14

Turn right onto CH 9

361 ft · 9 sec · Knox Highway 9
15

Continue on CH 9

0.8 mi · 1 min · Henderson Road
16

Continue on North Division Street

369 ft · 12 sec · North Division Street
17

Turn left onto US 150

0.2 mi · 26 sec · West Main Street
18

Turn left onto North Market Street

129 ft · 5 sec · North Market Street
19

Arrive at destination

North Market Street

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of 3 hours and 2 minutes, this trip is best tackled in a single day. You can leave Aurora any time in the morning and still arrive in Knoxville with plenty of daylight. With a fuel cost estimated at $26 and only one stop needed, planning is minimal. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer stretches like the 72.3 miles on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, to ensure smooth sailing.

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 82.6 miles from Aurora, IL, or about 1h 31m 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 36 miles or 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 82.6 miles or 1h 31m 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 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Knoxville, 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 165.2 miles and 3h 2m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 72.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Whiteside County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Sterling, IL

83 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

DeKalb, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sterling, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 82.6 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 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Oak Street Restaurant And Bar

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

North Aurora, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+16303017202

Visit website

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately

Oswego, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16305513219

Visit website

Prophet Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 94.4

Prophetstown, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18155379959

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour Moderately

Oswego, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16305513912

Visit website

Lucky Panda Chinese Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Aurora, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16308989360

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 165.1 — 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
165.1 mi into trip | ~3h 2m in | North Market Street

Turn left onto North Market Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.83 one way

$51.65 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $28.36 $56.71
premium $4.89 $31.79 $63.58
diesel $5.61 $36.47 $72.95

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

$26

Tolls

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 57.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 49.6 0 $17.35 $7.93
Efficient EV 41.3 0 $14.45 $6.61
EV Truck/SUV 66.1 0 $23.13 $10.57

Gas CO2

58 kg

EV CO2

19 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 18, 2026

Origin

Aurora, IL

Late night in Aurora on Sunday

Local time

3:02 AM

CDT

Current temp

42°F

Slight Chance Rain Showers

WNW 20 mph 23% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 18 at 5:27AM CDT until April 19 at 9:24PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 18 at 5:27AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI

Destination

Knoxville, IL

Late night in Knoxville on Sunday

Local time

3:02 AM

CDT

Current temp

40°F

Cloudy

NW 16 mph 6% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 18 at 5:27AM CDT until April 19 at 9:24PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 18 at 5:27AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI

50°F

Sterling, IL

83 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

2 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

3h 2m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This route features a mixed drive, with 30% of it on highways. You'll spend a good portion of your time on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 72.3 miles. The Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway also form key parts of this journey. Expect a predominantly fast-paced drive on these main arteries, designed for efficient travel across the state.

30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
19 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?

6/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 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 6/10

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 165.2 miles you will encounter 11 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.

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

Arriving in Knoxville, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1831

Top landmarks

  • • Knox County Courthouse — former courthouse and adjacent in Knoxville, Illinois, USA; now a city hall
  • • Knox County Jail — former jail in Knoxville, Knox County, 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 2m. Total distance: 165.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface 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.

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 Knoxville, 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 / 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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Knoxville, 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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