Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 36m
Distance
131.3 mi
211 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Aurora, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Morton, IL
Wikimedia Commons
This 131.3-mile drive from Aurora, IL to Morton, IL is a straightforward Midwest journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 36 minutes. Operating primarily on I-55 and I-74, with a short segment on IL-47, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a quick transit. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $21, which is quite budget-friendly. You'll experience a highway-focused drive for the majority of your travel, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently within the familiar Midwest region.
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
65.6 miles from Aurora, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 56 mi | 59m |
| I 74 | 24.4 mi | 26m |
| 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 |
| Caton Farm Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| North Bridge Street | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Aurora, IL and Morton, IL.
Start on West Galena Boulevard
Turn right onto IL 31
Continue on US 34
Turn left onto Orchard Road
Continue on Minkler Road
Enter roundabout onto Minkler Road
Continue on Minkler Road
At end of road, turn right onto IL 126
Turn left onto Ashley Road
Turn right onto Caton Farm Road
Turn left
Continue on North Bridge Street
Continue on IL 47
Take the exit
Merge onto I 55
Take the exit
Continue on I 74
Take the exit
Turn straight onto North Morton Avenue
Turn left onto US 150
Arrive at destination
Given the manageable 2h 36m duration and 131.3-mile distance, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. You can depart Aurora, IL at your leisure, perhaps in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic on I-55. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to determine your pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 56-mile stretch on I-55, to ensure a smooth arrival in Morton, IL without unnecessary detours for gas.
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.
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 29 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.6 miles or 1h 23m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Morton, IL than in the middle of the route.
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 131.3 miles and 2h 36m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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.
A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 65.6 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 105 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto IL 31 / South Lake Street
Lane positioning matters here
At end of road, turn right onto IL 126 / East Schoolhouse Road
Navigation decision point
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 55 South: Bloomington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Take the exit toward I 74 West: Peoria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$20.53 one way
$41.05 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $22.54 | $45.08 |
| premium | $4.89 | $25.27 | $50.53 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.99 | $57.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.4 | 0 | $13.79 | $6.30 |
| Efficient EV | 32.8 | 0 | $11.49 | $5.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.5 | 0 | $18.38 | $8.40 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Aurora on Tuesday
Local time
7:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Morning in Morton on Tuesday
Local time
7:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 131.3-mile route, with 79% of your travel occurring on interstates like I-55 and I-74. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 56 miles on I-55, offering a good opportunity to settle into a steady pace. While the majority of the drive is on faster roads, the inclusion of IL-47 provides a slight variation. Overall, this route prioritizes efficient travel over intricate byways, giving you a consistent driving feel for most of the 2h 36m journey.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 74. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near IL 31 / South Lake Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 36m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow 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 12.2 miles (IL 126 / East Schoolhouse Road): Navigation decision point; at 18 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 36m. Total distance: 131.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Straightforward navigation.
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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