Origin
Buckeye, IL
Late night in Buckeye on Wednesday
Local time
2:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Buckeye, IL to Aurora, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 29, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 48m
Distance
173.4 mi
279 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 36m
★
6 AM
3h 48m
8 AM
4h 14m
10 AM
3h 57m
12 PM
3h 55m
3 PM
3h 59m
5 PM
4h 13m
8 PM
3h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buckeye, IL
Gundula Vogel
Aurora, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Buckeye, IL to Aurora, IL is 173.4 miles and takes about 3h 48m via I 80 and Illinois Route 71, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, traversing Illinois for its entirety. Given the relatively short duration and straightforward path, it's a manageable one-day excursion. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, making it a practical choice for efficient travel 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
86.7 miles from Buckeye, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 31.7 mi | 34m |
| Illinois Route 71 | 30.2 mi | 44m |
| County Road 1400 East | 17.8 mi | 20m |
| East Valley View Drive | 17.7 mi | 21m |
| IL 9 | 13.2 mi | 23m |
| IL 6 | 10.4 mi | 12m |
| South 4th Street | 9.1 mi | 10m |
| I 180 | 8.9 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 31.7 mi, about 34m
Traffic on I-474
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 2 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,308 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~37 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
35.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 35 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 Buckeye, IL and Aurora, IL.
1
Start on County Road 2
2.4 mi
·
5 min
·
County Road 2
2
Turn right onto IL 9
13 mi
·
23 min
·
IL 9
3
Turn right onto North 5th Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North 5th Avenue
4
Turn left onto IL 9
7.1 mi
·
10 min
·
East Linn Street
5
Continue on US 24; IL 9
18 mi
·
21 min
·
East Valley View Drive
6
Continue on US 24
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
McKinley Avenue
7
Continue on Southwest Adams Street
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
Southwest Adams Street
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
9
Merge onto I 474
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
I 474
10
Continue on IL 6
10 mi
·
12 min
·
IL 6
11
Continue on IL 29
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Galena Road
12
Continue on IL 29
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
North State Route 29
13
Continue on IL 29
9.1 mi
·
10 min
·
South 4th Street
14
Continue on IL 29
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Railroad Street
15
Continue on IL 29
18 mi
·
20 min
·
County Road 1400 East
16
Merge onto I 180
8.9 mi
·
9 min
·
I 180
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 80 East: Joliet
18
Merge onto I 80
32 mi
·
34 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 93
Toward IL 71: Ottawa, Oswego
Use the slight right lane.
20
Turn left onto IL 71
30 mi
·
44 min
·
Illinois Route 71
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn left onto 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 roughly 3 hour and 48 minute drive, consider departing in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $26, this trip is easily completed in a single day without needing to split the driving. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you transition off I 80 onto Illinois Route 71 and County Road 1400 East, as services might be less frequent on these latter segments.
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 86.7 miles from Buckeye, IL, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.7 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 38 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.7 miles or 1h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 1m
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 Buckeye, 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 Buckeye, IL
This is one driving day of about 173.4 miles and 3h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Buckeye, 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 80 for about 31.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 86.7 miles from Buckeye, 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 102.8 and 173.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
102.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 East: Joliet
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 80 East: Joliet
5
103.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
135 mi into trip
|
~2h 50m in
Take the exit toward IL 71: Ottawa, Oswego
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 93
Toward IL 71: Ottawa, Oswego
6
135.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 50m in
|
IL 71 / Illinois Route 71
Turn left onto IL 71 / Illinois Route 71
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
173.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 48m in
|
West Galena Boulevard
Turn left onto West Galena Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.10 one way
$54.19 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.37 | $29.83 | $59.65 |
| premium | $4.88 | $33.30 | $66.60 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $36.53 | $73.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-27.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52 | 0 | $18.21 | $8.32 |
| Efficient EV | 43.4 | 0 | $15.17 | $6.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.4 | 0 | $24.28 | $11.10 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Aurora, IL
Late night in Aurora on Wednesday
Local time
2:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°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
5 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 48m 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 mostly highway, with 65% of the travel occurring on interstates and major routes. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 31.7 miles on I 80, offering a consistent cruising experience. The route transitions from I 80 to Illinois Route 71 and then County Road 1400 East, indicating a shift from high-speed interstate travel to more local road conditions as you approach your destination.
65% 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: 31.7 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Illinois Route 71. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 102.8 miles in.
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 173.4 miles you will encounter 13 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 102.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 103.2 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 135 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Buckeye, IL to Aurora, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Oswego along the way.
Oswego
135 mi in
|
~2h 50m
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 3h 48m. Total distance: 173.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 31.7 miles on I 80. 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.
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 Aurora, 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 102.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 103.2 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 135 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Aurora, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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