Rail Splitter Rest Area - Southbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Aurora, IL to Valmeyer, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 42m
Distance
296.1 mi
477 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 29m
★
6 AM
5h 42m
8 AM
6h 9m
10 AM
5h 51m
12 PM
5h 49m
3 PM
5h 53m
5 PM
6h 7m
8 PM
5h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Aurora, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Valmeyer, IL
Magda Ehlers
Trip Overview
Aurora, IL to Valmeyer, IL is 296.1 miles and takes about 5h 42m via I 55 and IL 47, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving you from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward drive that should be manageable in a single day for most travelers. Plan for a mostly highway experience, making it a functional option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
148 miles from Aurora, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 209.2 mi | 3h 45m |
| IL 47 | 22.1 mi | 25m |
| I 255 | 17.2 mi | 19m |
| IL 3 | 12.3 mi | 15m |
| IL 156 | 6.4 mi | 11m |
| South Lake Street | 5.9 mi | 9m |
| Minkler Road | 4.3 mi | 6m |
| Ashley Road | 3.8 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 209.2 mi, about 3h 45m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,843 veh/hr typical · worst 2,269
Quietest
2 AM
~164 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Valmeyer, 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 left at fork onto I 55
82 mi
·
1 hr 28 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 10
Toward I 255: Memphis, Interstate 270
19
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 255 South: Memphis
20
Merge onto I 255
17 mi
·
19 min
·
I 255
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit onto IL 3
12 mi
·
15 min
·
IL 3
Exit 6
Toward IL 3 South: Columbia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto IL 156
361 ft
·
7 sec
·
Park Street
23
Enter roundabout onto IL 156
123 ft
·
2 sec
·
Park Street
24
Continue on IL 156
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
Park Street
25
Continue on IL 156
6.4 mi
·
11 min
·
IL 156
26
Arrive at destination
IL 156
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 42m duration, leaving Aurora, IL in the morning should allow you to reach Valmeyer, IL with ample daylight. With only one stop recommended, you can choose to make it brief or a longer break. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 209.2-mile segment on I 55, as services might be more spaced out. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility in your timing, but aim to avoid peak rush hour in the Chicago metropolitan area if possible.
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 148 miles from Aurora, IL, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 209.2 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 65 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148 miles or 2h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Valmeyer, 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 296.1 miles and 5h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 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 209.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
148 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 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 148 miles from Aurora, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 209.2 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.
Homestead Rest Area - Southbound
0 mi from route
Rail Splitter Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Dixie Trucker's Home
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Coalfield Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Funks Grove Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Limestone Rest Area (Southbound)
0.1 mi from route
Limestone Rest Area (Northbound)
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Homestead Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.5 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Rest Area
1.7 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 276.8 — 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
7
176.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m in
|
I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
7
276.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 14m in
|
IL 3
Take the exit onto IL 3 toward IL 3 South: Columbia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6
Toward IL 3 South: Columbia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.73 one way
$87.45 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
104 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $48.27 | $96.55 |
| premium | $4.72 | $54.98 | $109.95 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $55.91 | $111.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 88.8 | 1 | $31.09 | $14.21 |
| Efficient EV | 74 | 0 | $25.91 | $11.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 118.4 | 1 | $41.45 | $18.95 |
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Origin
Aurora, IL
Morning in Aurora on Sunday
Local time
10:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 10 mph
59% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Valmeyer, IL
Morning in Valmeyer on Sunday
Local time
10:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 6 mph
23% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
87°F
Athens, IL
148 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 42m 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
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 173.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 91% of your time on highways, with the longest continuous stretch covering 209.2 miles on I 55. This means you'll experience a significant amount of high-speed cruising before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a lot of exits and merging as you navigate the interstate system for the majority of the trip.
91% 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: 209.2 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 296.1 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
811 ft
410 ft
Total Climb
602 ft
Total Descent
546 ft
Highest Point
811 ft
~105.7 mi in
Elevation Range
401 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Valmeyer, 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
Arriving in Valmeyer, IL
Full guide →Founded 1909
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 5h 42m. Total distance: 296.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 209.2 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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 Valmeyer, 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 27 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 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.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Valmeyer, IL before the return drive.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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