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Trip from Blue Ridge, IL to Aurora, 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

2h 50m

Distance

115.4 mi

186 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 39m ★
6 AM
2h 50m
8 AM
3h 12m
10 AM
2h 58m
12 PM
2h 56m
3 PM
2h 59m
5 PM
3h 11m
8 PM
2h 44m

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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Downtown Blue Ridge, IL, IL

Blue Ridge, IL

Beth Fitzpatrick

city on tripoints of DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties in Illinois, United States

Aurora, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Planning a trip from Blue Ridge, IL, to Aurora, IL? This 115.4-mile journey takes about 2 hours and 50 minutes and is easily manageable as a day trip. With a fuel cost estimated around $18, it’s an economical option for exploring the Midwest. The route primarily utilizes IL 9 and IL 31, with a brief section on Minkler Road, offering a straightforward drive. You'll find this route is a highway-focused experience, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently. Given its relatively short duration, you can depart at your leisure and arrive with plenty of time to spare.

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

57.7 miles from Blue Ridge, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
IL 9 77.9 mi 1h 49m
IL 31 5.9 mi 9m
Minkler Road 4.3 mi 6m
County Road 400 East 4.2 mi 5m
County Road 3000 North 4 mi 5m
North 450 East Road 3.5 mi 4m
Ashley Road 2.8 mi 3m
County Road 450 East 2.1 mi 2m
Longest stretch: IL 9 — 77.9 mi, about 1h 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Blue Ridge, IL and Aurora, IL.

1

Start on this road

454 ft · 33 sec · this road
2

Turn slight right onto East 3300 North Road

0.5 mi · 2 min · East 3300 North Road
3

Turn right onto North 1300 East Road

1.0 mi · 2 min · North 1300 East Road
4

Continue on CR 3

2.0 mi · 4 min · North 4000 East Road
5

Turn right onto US 136

2.0 mi · 2 min · East 200 North Road
6

Continue on US 136

4.0 mi · 5 min · County Road 3000 North
7

Turn left onto IL 47

4.2 mi · 5 min · County Road 400 East
8

Continue on IL 47

2.1 mi · 2 min · County Road 450 East
9

Continue on IL 47

3.5 mi · 4 min · North 450 East Road
10

Continue on IL 47

383 ft · 7 sec · North 450E Road
11

Continue on IL 47

0.4 mi · 54 sec · South Sangamon Avenue
12

Turn left onto IL 9; IL 47; IL 54

0.5 mi · 53 sec · West 1st Street
13

Turn slight right

138 ft · 7 sec
14

Turn right onto IL 9; IL 47

78 mi · 1 hr 49 min · IL 9; IL 47
Use the straight lane.
15

Turn right onto Walker Road

1.5 mi · 2 min · Walker Road
16

Turn left onto Ashley Road

2.8 mi · 3 min · Ashley Road
17

At end of road, turn right onto IL 126

0.5 mi · 46 sec · East Schoolhouse Road
18

Turn left onto Minkler Road

3.4 mi · 4 min · Minkler Road
19

Enter roundabout onto Minkler Road

126 ft · 3 sec · Minkler Road
20

Continue on Minkler Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · Minkler Road
21

Continue on Orchard Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Orchard Road
Use the left lane.
22

Turn right onto US 34

1.2 mi · 2 min · US 34
Use the right lane.
23

Continue on IL 31

2.5 mi · 4 min · IL 31
24

Continue on IL 31

3.4 mi · 5 min · IL 31
Use the left lane.
25

Turn left onto West Galena Boulevard

0.1 mi · 9 sec · West Galena Boulevard
Use the left lane.
26

Arrive at destination

West Galena Boulevard

Trip Plan

For this 2 hour and 50 minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your day at your destination. You'll only need about one stop for fuel or a quick break, given the 115.4-mile distance. The longest stretch without a major change in road is 77.9 miles on IL 9, so plan your refreshment needs around that. Since this is a straightforward, highway-focused route, flexibility is key; you won't need to rigidly adhere to a schedule. Keep an eye out for the transition onto IL 31 as it's a notable shift in the latter part of your drive.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 57.7 miles from Blue Ridge, IL, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.9 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 25 miles or 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 57.7 miles or 1h 26m 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 18m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aurora, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Blue Ridge, 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 Blue Ridge, IL

This is one driving day of about 115.4 miles and 2h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Blue Ridge, 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 9 for about 77.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Morris, IL

58 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

Fisher, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Morris, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 57.7 miles from Blue Ridge, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before IL 9 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.9 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.

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour Moderately

Oswego, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16305513912

Visit website

Oak Street Restaurant And Bar

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

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

North Aurora, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+16303017202

Visit website

Blue Star Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

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

Gibson City, Illinois

Hours: 5 am–2 pm

+12177844033

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately

Oswego, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16305513219

Visit website

Ta Canijo Taco Trucks

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Yorkville, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+16303852680

Lucky Panda Chinese Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 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 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 115.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0.6 mi into trip | ~2m in | North 1300 East Road

Turn right onto North 1300 East Road

Navigation decision point

5
102.7 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in | IL 126 / East Schoolhouse Road

At end of road, turn right onto IL 126 / East Schoolhouse Road

Navigation decision point

5
106.5 mi into trip | ~2h 35m in | Minkler Road

Enter roundabout onto Minkler Road

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
108.2 mi into trip | ~2h 38m in | US 34

Turn right onto US 34

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
115.2 mi into trip | ~2h 49m in | West Galena Boulevard

Turn left onto West Galena Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.04 one way

$36.08 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 40 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $19.81 $39.62
premium $4.89 $22.21 $44.42
diesel $5.61 $25.48 $50.96

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 40.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 34.6 0 $12.12 $5.54
Efficient EV 28.9 0 $10.10 $4.62
EV Truck/SUV 46.2 0 $16.16 $7.39

Gas CO2

40 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (65% 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

Blue Ridge, IL

Morning in Blue Ridge on Tuesday

Local time

7:12 AM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Aurora, IL

Morning in Aurora on Tuesday

Local time

7:12 AM

CDT

Current temp

65°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

15 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

2h 50m 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 drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 74% of the route utilizing faster roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 77.9 miles on IL 9, which provides a consistent pace for much of the journey. While largely highway, the inclusion of IL 31 and Minkler Road introduces some variation, breaking up the monotony and offering a slightly different driving feel as you progress. Expect a steady, efficient drive that prioritizes getting you to your destination without extensive scenic detours.

74% 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: 77.9 mi on IL 9.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on IL 9 and IL 31. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near North 1300 East Road.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 50m 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 0.6 miles (North 1300 East Road): Navigation decision point; at 102.7 miles (IL 126 / East Schoolhouse Road): Navigation decision point; at 106.5 miles (Minkler Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

About the Cities

Arriving 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 2h 50m. Total distance: 115.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (74%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 77.9 miles on IL 9. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 0.6 miles (North 1300 East Road): Navigation decision point; at 102.7 miles (IL 126 / East Schoolhouse Road): Navigation decision point; at 106.5 miles (Minkler Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Aurora, IL before heading back.

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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