Origin
Elmwood, IL
Morning in Elmwood on Tuesday
Local time
7:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elmwood, 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
3h 4m
Distance
147.1 mi
237 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 53m
★
6 AM
3h 4m
8 AM
3h 27m
10 AM
3h 12m
12 PM
3h 10m
3 PM
3h 14m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elmwood, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Aurora, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 147.1-mile drive from Elmwood, IL to Aurora, IL is a straightforward, single-day trip that should take you about 3 hours and 4 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing I-80, with segments on Illinois Route 71 and County Road 1400 East, this route is heavily highway-focused, making it efficient for getting between these two Illinois locations. With an estimated fuel cost of $23, it's an economical option for a quick getaway or a necessary commute. You'll stay within the Midwest region throughout your journey, making for a consistent regional experience. This drive is well-suited for a single day, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination.
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
73.5 miles from Elmwood, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m 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 |
| I 74 | 15.4 mi | 16m |
| IL 6 | 9.9 mi | 12m |
| South 4th Street | 9.1 mi | 10m |
| I 180 | 8.9 mi | 9m |
| North State Route 29 | 6.1 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 31.7 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elmwood, IL and Aurora, IL.
1
Start on IL 8; IL 78
99 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Main Street
2
Turn left onto IL 8; IL 78
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
North Magnolia Street
3
Turn right onto West Tucker Road
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Tucker Road
4
Turn left onto C-34
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
·
North Bell School Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 74 East
6
Merge onto I 74
15 mi
·
16 min
·
I 74
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward IL 6 North: Chillicothe
8
Merge onto IL 6
9.9 mi
·
12 min
·
IL 6
9
Continue on IL 29
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Galena Road
10
Continue on IL 29
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
North State Route 29
11
Continue on IL 29
9.1 mi
·
10 min
·
South 4th Street
12
Continue on IL 29
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Railroad Street
13
Continue on IL 29
18 mi
·
20 min
·
County Road 1400 East
14
Merge onto I 180
8.9 mi
·
9 min
·
I 180
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 80 East: Joliet
16
Merge onto I 80
32 mi
·
34 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 93
Toward IL 71: Ottawa, Oswego
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn left onto IL 71
30 mi
·
44 min
·
Illinois Route 71
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn left onto Orchard Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Orchard Road
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto US 34
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
US 34
Use the right lane.
21
Continue on IL 31
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
IL 31
22
Continue on IL 31
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
IL 31
Use the left lane.
23
Turn left onto West Galena Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
West Galena Boulevard
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
West Galena Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given this drive clocks in at just over 3 hours, it's perfectly manageable as a one-day trip from Elmwood to Aurora. You could aim for an early morning departure to make the most of your day, or leave later for a more relaxed start. With only one main stop suggested on this route, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 31.7-mile stretch on I-80, and plan your refueling accordingly. The estimated fuel cost is around $23, so budget accordingly for this portion of your travel.
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 73.5 miles from Elmwood, IL, or about 1h 28m 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 32 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.5 miles or 1h 28m 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 23m
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 Elmwood, 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 Elmwood, IL
This is one driving day of about 147.1 miles and 3h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Elmwood, 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
74 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 73.5 miles from Elmwood, 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 155 decision points cluster between mile 76.5 and 146.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
76.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 East: Joliet
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 80 East: Joliet
5
76.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
108.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m 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
108.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m in
|
IL 71 / Illinois Route 71
Turn left onto IL 71 / Illinois Route 71
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
146.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 4m in
|
West Galena Boulevard
Turn left onto West Galena Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.00 one way
$45.99 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
52 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $25.25 | $50.50 |
| premium | $4.89 | $28.31 | $56.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.48 | $64.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.5 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 | 44.1 | 0 | $15.45 | $7.06 |
| Efficient EV | 36.8 | 0 | $12.87 | $5.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58.8 | 0 | $20.59 | $9.41 |
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Morning in Aurora on Tuesday
Local time
7:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 10 to 15 mph
36% chance
Live forecast
66°F
Peru, IL
74 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
4 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
3h 4m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 this 147.1-mile journey, with 74% of the drive taking place on major roadways like I-80. This means you'll encounter stretches of consistent speed and relatively smooth travel for much of the trip. The longest uninterrupted section you'll navigate is 31.7 miles on I-80, offering a good opportunity to settle in. While predominantly highway, the inclusion of Illinois Route 71 and County Road 1400 East will introduce some variation, potentially offering a slightly different driving feel as you transition between these road types. Overall, it’s a practical drive designed for efficiency.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Illinois Route 71. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 76.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 147.1 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 76.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 76.9 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.6 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 Elmwood, IL to Aurora, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Oswego along the way.
Oswego
108.6 mi in
|
~2h 6m
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 4m. Total distance: 147.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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 76.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 76.9 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Aurora, IL
More from Elmwood, IL
More trips to Aurora, IL
Explore more options from Elmwood, IL or browse trips ending in Aurora, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.