Origin
Aurora, IL
Late night in Aurora on Tuesday
Local time
5:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Aurora, IL to Newell, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 38m
Distance
139.4 mi
224 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 26m
★
6 AM
3h 38m
8 AM
4h 3m
10 AM
3h 47m
12 PM
3h 45m
3 PM
3h 48m
5 PM
4h 2m
8 PM
3h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Aurora, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Newell, IL
Franco Monsalvo
Trip Overview
Aurora, IL to Newell, IL is 139.4 miles and takes about 3h 38m via IL 1 and I 55, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, making it a straightforward drive through Illinois. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, it's a convenient option for a single day. The route offers a mix of highway cruising and surface road driving, making it a practical choice for those looking for a direct connection between these two points.
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
69.7 miles from Aurora, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| IL 1 | 43.1 mi | 1h 4m |
| I 55 | 15.8 mi | 18m |
| South Schuyler Avenue | 9.8 mi | 14m |
| County Road North 303 West | 7.8 mi | 13m |
| Lincoln Highway | 7.4 mi | 11m |
| North 2100 E Road | 6.8 mi | 10m |
| County Road 1400 East | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| County Road 2600 N | 5 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
IL 1
— 43.1 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aurora, IL and Newell, 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
9.8 mi
·
14 min
·
South Schuyler Avenue
30
Continue on US 45; US 52
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
County Road 1400 East
31
Turn left onto US 52
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
County Road 2600 N
32
Continue on US 52
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
East 2600 North Road
33
Turn right onto IL 1
6.8 mi
·
10 min
·
North 2100 E Road
34
Continue on IL 1
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North 2100 East Road
35
At end of road, turn left onto US 24; IL 1
2.7 mi
·
6 min
·
West Walnut Street
36
Turn right onto IL 1
43 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
IL 1
37
Turn left onto East Winter Avenue
2.5 mi
·
9 min
·
East Winter Avenue
38
Arrive at destination
East Winter Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 38m duration, leaving Aurora, IL in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. The $22 fuel cost is modest, so no need for excessive fuel planning, but it's wise to start with a full tank. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to take breaks as needed, perhaps around the halfway point. Pay attention to the transition from I 55 to IL 1; this is where the driving environment changes considerably, so be ready for surface road conditions.
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 69.7 miles from Aurora, IL, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.1 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 31 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.7 miles or 1h 45m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newell, 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 139.4 miles and 3h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 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 IL 1 for about 43.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
70 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 69.7 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 16.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.4 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IL 25 / North Broadway
Turn left onto IL 25 / North Broadway
Navigation decision point
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.79 one way
$43.59 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $23.93 | $47.86 |
| premium | $4.89 | $26.83 | $53.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.78 | $61.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.8 | 0 | $14.64 | $6.69 |
| Efficient EV | 34.9 | 0 | $12.20 | $5.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.8 | 0 | $19.52 | $8.92 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Newell, IL
Late night in Newell on Tuesday
Local time
5:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°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
13 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 38m 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 route is about 45% highway, with a significant portion of your drive on surface roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 43.1 miles on IL 1 before merging onto I 55. Expect to transition from highway driving to surface roads around South Schuyler Avenue. The change in road type means you'll notice varying traffic patterns and speed limits throughout the 3h 38m estimated travel time.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.1 mi on IL 1.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 21 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near IL 25 / North Broadway.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 139.4 miles you will encounter 21 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 0.4 miles (IL 25 / North Broadway): Navigation decision point; 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.
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 38m. Total distance: 139.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (45%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43.1 miles on IL 1. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (IL 25 / North Broadway): Navigation decision point; 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Newell, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Newell, IL
More trips to Newell, IL
Explore more options from Aurora, IL or browse trips ending in Newell, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.