Origin
Carthage, IL
Late night in Carthage on Tuesday
Local time
5:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carthage, IL to Aurora, 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
4h 32m
Distance
237.8 mi
383 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 19m
★
6 AM
4h 33m
8 AM
5h 0m
10 AM
4h 42m
12 PM
4h 40m
3 PM
4h 44m
5 PM
4h 58m
8 PM
4h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carthage, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Aurora, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 237.8-mile drive from Carthage, IL, to Aurora, IL, will take approximately 4 hours and 32 minutes. Primarily following IL 110 and the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, it's a focused highway journey through the heart of Illinois. With a fuel cost estimated at $37, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip, making it a convenient option for those looking to cover ground efficiently. The drive is almost entirely on highways, offering a straightforward path between these two Midwest locations. Consider this a practical and uncomplicated way to travel between western and northeastern Illinois.
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
118.9 miles from Carthage, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| IL 110 | 116.7 mi | 2h 5m |
| Chicago-Kansas City Expressway | 108.1 mi | 2h 2m |
| US 136 | 3.8 mi | 7m |
| North Lake Street | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| North Lafayette Street | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| East 1200th Street | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Buchanan Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Monmouth Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
IL 110
— 116.7 mi, about 2h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carthage, IL and Aurora, IL.
1
Start on IL 94
62 ft
·
6 sec
·
North Madison Street
2
Turn left onto US 136; IL 94
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Buchanan Street
3
Continue on US 136; IL 94
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
·
E County Road 1500
4
Take the ramp
84 ft
·
3 sec
Use the left lane.
5
Turn left onto US 136
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
US 136
6
Merge onto US 136; IL 110; IL 336
21 mi
·
24 min
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
8
Turn right onto US 136
3.4 mi
·
6 min
·
US 136
9
Turn left onto US 136
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
North Johnson Street
10
Turn slight right onto US 136
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
West Calhoun Street
11
Turn left onto US 67
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Lafayette Street
12
Continue on US 67
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
East 1200th Street
13
Continue on US 67; IL 110
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
14
Continue on US 67; IL 110
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Monmouth Street
15
Continue on US 67; IL 110
45 mi
·
52 min
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
16
Keep slight right at fork onto IL 110
32 mi
·
34 min
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
17
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 110
6.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Toward I 80 West: Des Moines
18
Take the exit onto IL 110
117 mi
·
2 hr 5 min
·
IL 110
Exit 4B
Toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
19
Take the exit onto IL 56
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
IL 56
Exit 117
Toward IL 31 East, IL 56 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto IL 31
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
South Lincolnway Street
21
Continue on IL 31
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
North Lake Street
22
Turn right onto West Galena Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
West Galena Boulevard
23
Arrive at destination
West Galena Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 32-minute duration, starting your trip in the morning allows ample time to reach Aurora without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop and a highway-focused profile, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 116.7-mile stretch on IL 110, as services might be less frequent. Planning your fuel stops in larger towns along US 136 before transitioning to the expressways can be a smart move. The $37 fuel estimate is a good baseline for your budget.
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 118.9 miles from Carthage, IL, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.7 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 52 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.9 miles or 2h 20m 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 42m
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 Carthage, 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 Carthage, IL
This is one driving day of about 237.8 miles and 4h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Carthage, 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 110 for about 116.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
119 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 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 118.9 miles from Carthage, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before IL 110 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 116.7 miles.
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 0 and 234.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 136; IL 94 / Buchanan Street
Turn left onto US 136; IL 94 / Buchanan Street
Navigation decision point
6
79.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
|
IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
5
111.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m in
|
IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway toward I 80 West: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 80 West: Des Moines
6
117.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
|
IL 110
Take the exit onto IL 110 toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 4B
Toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Fa...
8
234.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 25m in
|
IL 56
Take the exit onto IL 56 toward IL 31 East, IL 56 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 117
Toward IL 31 East, IL 56 East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.18 one way
$74.35 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
83 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $40.82 | $81.64 |
| premium | $4.89 | $45.76 | $91.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $52.50 | $105.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.3 | 0 | $24.97 | $11.41 |
| Efficient EV | 59.5 | 0 | $20.81 | $9.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.1 | 1 | $33.29 | $15.22 |
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Tuesday
Local time
5:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
66°F
Knoxville, IL
119 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
1 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
4h 32m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for 96% of this 237.8-mile trip. The majority of your time will be spent on well-maintained expressways like IL 110 and the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 116.7 miles on IL 110, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While largely a highway cruise, the route offers a direct and efficient path rather than winding scenic byways. This profile means you can maintain steady speeds for most of the journey.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 116.7 mi on IL 110.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on IL 110 and Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 136; IL 94 / Buchanan Street.
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 237.8 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: near the start (US 136; IL 94 / Buchanan Street): Navigation decision point; at 79.6 miles (IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.6 miles (IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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.
Between Carthage, IL and Aurora, IL, road signs point toward Rock Island and Rock Falls.
Rock Island
79.6 mi in
|
~1h 38m
|
via IL 110
Rock Falls
117.9 mi in
|
~2h 19m
|
via IL 110
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 4h 32m. Total distance: 237.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 116.7 miles on IL 110. 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: near the start (US 136; IL 94 / Buchanan Street): Navigation decision point; at 79.6 miles (IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.6 miles (IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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