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Trip from Macomb, 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 26, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 57m

Distance

210.7 mi

339 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 45m ★
6 AM
3h 58m
8 AM
4h 24m
10 AM
4h 7m
12 PM
4h 4m
3 PM
4h 8m
5 PM
4h 23m
8 PM
3h 50m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in and the county seat of McDonough County, Illinois, United States

Macomb, IL

Wikimedia Commons

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

Aurora, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Macomb, IL to Aurora, IL is 210.7 miles and takes about 3h 57m via IL 110 and US 67, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, primarily traversing Illinois. You'll spend most of your time on the highway, making for a relatively straightforward drive. With only one recommended stop and a 98% highway share, this route is designed for efficient travel. Consider this a practical option if you need to get from point A to point B without extensive detours.

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

105.3 miles from Macomb, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
IL 110 116.7 mi 2h 5m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway 86.9 mi 1h 38m
US 67 2.9 mi 4m
North Lake Street 2.2 mi 4m
South Monmouth Street 0.7 mi 1m
IL 56 0.6 mi 1m
South Lincolnway Street 0.4 mi <1m
West Galena Boulevard 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: IL 110 — 116.7 mi, about 2h 5m

Traffic on I-80

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 2 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

3 PM

~862 veh/hr typical · worst 1,082

Quietest

2 AM

~96 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 34 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 Macomb, IL and Aurora, IL.

1

Start on North Lafayette Street

265 ft · 9 sec · North Lafayette Street
2

Turn right onto East Carroll Street

411 ft · 23 sec · East Carroll Street
3

Turn left onto North Randolph Street

412 ft · 16 sec · North Randolph Street
4

Turn left onto US 67; US 136

150 ft · 4 sec · East Calhoun Street
5

Take the exit onto US 67; US 136

2.9 mi · 4 min · US 67; US 136
6

Continue on US 67; IL 110

3.4 mi · 4 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
7

Continue on US 67; IL 110

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Monmouth Street
8

Continue on US 67; IL 110

45 mi · 52 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
9

Keep slight right at fork onto IL 110

32 mi · 34 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
10

Keep slight left at fork onto IL 110

6.3 mi · 6 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Toward I 80 West: Des Moines
11

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
12

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.
13

Turn right onto IL 31

0.4 mi · 52 sec · South Lincolnway Street
14

Continue on IL 31

2.2 mi · 4 min · North Lake Street
15

Turn right onto West Galena Boulevard

0.1 mi · 9 sec · West Galena Boulevard
16

Arrive at destination

West Galena Boulevard

Trip Plan

Given the 3h 57m duration, leaving in the morning from Macomb will easily get you to Aurora before evening. The route has a 98% highway share, so you can anticipate minimal delays related to surface streets. While only one stop is indicated, plan for a brief fuel or rest break around the halfway point, especially since the longest stretch is over 116 miles. The estimated fuel cost is $32, so factor that into your budget. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time.

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 105.3 miles from Macomb, IL, or about 2h 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 46 miles or 55m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 105.3 miles or 2h 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 13m

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 Macomb, 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 Macomb, IL

This is one driving day of about 210.7 miles and 3h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Macomb, 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.

Downtown Dayton, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dayton, IL

105 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

Galesburg, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Dayton, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 105.3 miles from Macomb, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 207.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Carroll Street

Turn right onto East Carroll Street

Navigation decision point

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 67; US 136 / East Calhoun Street

Turn left onto US 67; US 136 / East Calhoun Street

Navigation decision point

6
52.6 mi into trip | ~1h 3m 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
6
90.8 mi into trip | ~1h 44m 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
207.5 mi into trip | ~3h 50m 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

$32.14 one way

$64.29 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 74 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.27 $35.40 $70.81
premium $4.81 $39.87 $79.73
diesel $5.40 $44.82 $89.64

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 73.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 63.2 0 $22.12 $10.11
Efficient EV 52.7 0 $18.44 $8.43
EV Truck/SUV 84.3 1 $29.50 $13.48

Gas CO2

74 kg

EV CO2

25 kg (66% 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 25, 2026

Origin

Macomb, IL

Morning in Macomb on Sunday

Local time

7:43 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Aurora, IL

Morning in Aurora on Sunday

Local time

7:43 AM

CDT

Current temp

42°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

20 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 57m 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 route is almost entirely highway driving, with a 98% highway share. You'll encounter a long stretch of 116.7 miles on IL 110 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a consistent cruising experience for the majority of the trip. The dense network of exits is typical for a highway-focused drive in this region.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 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 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East Carroll 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 210.7 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.1 miles (East Carroll Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 67; US 136 / East Calhoun Street): Navigation decision point; at 52.6 miles (IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

Between Macomb, IL and Aurora, IL, road signs point toward Rock Island and Rock Falls.

Rock Island

52.6 mi in | ~1h 3m | via IL 110

Rock Falls

90.8 mi in | ~1h 44m | via IL 110

About the Cities

Starting in Macomb, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1830

Macomb is a city in Illinois.

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 57m. Total distance: 210.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). 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: at 0.1 miles (East Carroll Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 67; US 136 / East Calhoun Street): Navigation decision point; at 52.6 miles (IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 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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