Origin
Fulton, IL
Evening in Fulton on Sunday
Local time
7:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fulton, IL to Aurora, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 8m
Distance
106.3 mi
171 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 59m
★
6 AM
2h 9m
8 AM
2h 27m
10 AM
2h 15m
12 PM
2h 13m
3 PM
2h 16m
5 PM
2h 26m
8 PM
2h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fulton, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Aurora, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Fulton, IL to Aurora, IL is 106.3 miles and takes about 2h 8m via Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Illinois, connecting two points in the Midwest. The majority of your drive will be on the tollway, offering a straightforward path. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this trip is easily manageable as a same-day excursion. It's a practical option for getting from point A to point B without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.1 miles from Fulton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | 72.7 mi | 1h 18m |
| Lincoln Road | 16.8 mi | 23m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 7.2 mi | 7m |
| North Lake Street | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| 14th Avenue | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| East Lincoln Way | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| West Lincolnway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 10th Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
— 72.7 mi, about 1h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fulton, IL and Aurora, IL.
1
Start on 9th Street
20 ft
·
6 sec
·
9th Street
2
Turn left onto 10th Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
10th Avenue
3
Turn right onto IL 84
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Waller Road
4
Turn left onto IL 136
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
14th Avenue
5
Turn left onto US 30
7.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Lincoln Road
6
Continue on US 30; IL 78
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Lincoln Way
7
Continue on US 30; IL 78
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Lincolnway
8
Continue on US 30
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East Lincoln Way
9
Continue on US 30
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
Lincoln Road
10
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
this road
11
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
this road
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 88 East: Dixon
13
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
7.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
14
Continue on I 88; IL 110
73 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
15
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.
16
Turn right onto IL 31
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
South Lincolnway Street
17
Continue on IL 31
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
North Lake Street
18
Turn right onto West Galena Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
West Galena Boulevard
19
Arrive at destination
West Galena Boulevard
Trip Plan
With a total travel time of just over two hours, you can afford to be flexible with your departure time. Leaving in the morning or early afternoon allows ample daylight for the drive. Since the route is primarily on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, keep an eye out for toll plazas and have your payment method ready. With a fuel cost estimated at $16, you'll want to ensure you have enough gas before starting, as services can be spaced out on toll roads. There are no recommended stops, so you can push through to Aurora or make a brief stop as needed.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 53.1 miles from Fulton, IL, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.7 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 23 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.1 miles or 1h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 44m
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 Fulton, 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 Fulton, IL
This is one driving day of about 106.3 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Fulton, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 72.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 53.1 miles from Fulton, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.7 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 75 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 103.1 — 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
|
10th Avenue
Turn left onto 10th Avenue
Navigation decision point
3
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
IL 136 / 14th Avenue
Turn left onto IL 136 / 14th Avenue
Navigation decision point
3
2.8 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
US 30 / Lincoln Road
Turn left onto US 30 / Lincoln Road
Navigation decision point
5
22.4 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 88 East: Dixon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 88 East: Dixon
8
103.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m 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
$16.22 one way
$32.43 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.27 | $17.86 | $35.72 |
| premium | $4.81 | $20.11 | $40.23 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $22.61 | $45.22 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.36
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(72.7 mi)
$4.36
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.9 | 0 | $11.16 | $5.10 |
| Efficient EV | 26.6 | 0 | $9.30 | $4.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.5 | 0 | $14.88 | $6.80 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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
Evening in Aurora on Sunday
Local time
7:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
43°F
Flagg, IL
53 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 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 8m 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 trip is 100% highway driving, with a longest stretch of 72.7 miles on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. You'll experience consistent cruising for the bulk of your travel time. Expect a steady pace on this well-maintained corridor, with the potential for dense traffic as you approach your destination. The tollway system makes for a predictable and efficient drive.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.7 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 10th Avenue.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Fulton, IL to Aurora, IL is easy. At 2h 8m with 1% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (10th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (IL 136 / 14th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles (US 30 / Lincoln Road): Navigation decision point.
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 8m. Total distance: 106.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (1%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.7 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.36 in tolls one way, starting with Reagan Memorial Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 (10th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (IL 136 / 14th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles (US 30 / Lincoln Road): Navigation decision point.
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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