Origin
Mount Pleasant, IL
Evening in Mount Pleasant on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mount Pleasant, IL to Aurora, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 43m
Distance
345.1 mi
555 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 31m
★
6 AM
6h 43m
8 AM
7h 7m
10 AM
6h 52m
12 PM
6h 49m
3 PM
6h 53m
5 PM
7h 6m
8 PM
6h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mount Pleasant, IL
fish socks
Aurora, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 345.1-mile journey from Mount Pleasant, IL to Aurora, IL will take approximately 6 hours and 43 minutes of driving time. It's a straightforward drive primarily utilizing I-57 and I-55, making it a feasible day trip if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. With a fuel cost estimated around $54, this Midwest to Midwest route is a practical option for those needing to travel between these two Illinois locations. The highway-focused profile means you'll spend most of your time on major interstates, so plan for a direct transit rather than a leisurely exploration.
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
172.6 miles from Mount Pleasant, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 9m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 144.3 mi | 2h 34m |
| Ken Gray Expressway | 133 mi | 2h 23m |
| I 55 | 18.6 mi | 20m |
| County Road North 303 West | 8.9 mi | 15m |
| State Route 113 | 7.7 mi | 11m |
| Lincoln Highway | 7.5 mi | 11m |
| West River Road | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Joliet Road | 2.5 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 144.3 mi, about 2h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Pleasant, IL and Aurora, IL.
1
Start on Mt Pleasant Road
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Mt Pleasant Road
2
At end of road, turn right onto IL 146
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
750N
3
Continue on IL 146
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
740N
4
Continue on IL 146
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
745N
5
Continue on IL 146
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
750N
6
Continue on IL 146
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
765N
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
8
Merge onto I 57
66 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
Ken Gray Expressway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
67 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
·
Ken Gray Expressway
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
144 mi
·
2 hr 34 min
·
I 57
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 308
Toward US 45, US 52: Kankakee
12
Keep slight right at fork
272 ft
·
9 sec
Exit 308
13
Turn straight onto US 45; US 52
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
South Schuyler Avenue
14
Turn left onto US 45; US 52
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
South East Avenue
15
Turn slight left onto US 45; US 52
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
West Water Street
16
Turn right onto South Wall Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Wall Street
17
Continue on IL 113
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
North Wall Street
18
Continue on IL 113
8.9 mi
·
15 min
·
County Road North 303 West
19
Continue on IL 113
7.7 mi
·
11 min
·
State Route 113
20
Turn right onto West River Road
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
West River Road
21
Turn left onto IL 53
256 ft
·
9 sec
·
West Baltimore Street
22
Turn right onto CH 29
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Stripmine Road
23
Turn right onto IL 129
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
Washington Street
24
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
25
Merge onto I 55
19 mi
·
20 min
·
I 55
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 257
Toward US 30: Joliet, Aurora
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork
135 ft
·
5 sec
Use the left lane.
28
Turn left onto US 30
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Joliet Road
Use the right lane.
29
Turn slight right onto US 30; IL 59; US 66 Hist
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Division Street
Use the right lane.
30
Turn left onto US 30
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
143rd Street
Use the left lane.
31
Turn right onto US 30
7.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Lincoln Highway
Use the right lane.
32
Continue on Hill Avenue
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Hill Avenue
Use the left lane.
33
Continue on East Galena Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
East Galena Boulevard
34
Turn right onto North Ohio Street
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
North Ohio Street
Use the left lane.
35
Turn left onto East New York Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East New York Street
Use the left lane.
36
Turn left onto IL 31
417 ft
·
14 sec
·
North Lake Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
37
Turn right onto West Galena Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
West Galena Boulevard
38
Arrive at destination
West Galena Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 6 hour and 43 minute estimated duration, starting early is your best bet to complete this 345.1-mile drive in a single day. While there's only one recommended stop, you'll want to break up the longest stretch of 144.3 miles on I-57 to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $54 estimated cost suggests a significant amount of driving. Since you'll be on major highways like I-55 for a good portion, ensure your vehicle is in good condition before departing Mount Pleasant.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 172.6 miles from Mount Pleasant, IL, or about 3h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 144.3 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 76 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 172.6 miles or 3h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 12m
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 Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant, IL
This is one driving day of about 345.1 miles and 6h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Mount Pleasant, 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 57 for about 144.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
173 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 76 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 172.6 miles from Mount Pleasant, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 144.3 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 235 decision points cluster between mile 282.1 and 332.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
282.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 7m in
Take the exit toward US 45, US 52: Kankakee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 308
Toward US 45, US 52: Kankakee
6
282.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 7m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 308
8
328.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 13m in
Take the exit toward US 30: Joliet, Aurora
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 257
Toward US 30: Joliet, Aurora
6
328.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
332.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 22m in
|
US 30 / 143rd Street
Turn left onto US 30 / 143rd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.95 one way
$107.90 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
121 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $59.24 | $118.48 |
| premium | $4.89 | $66.41 | $132.82 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $76.19 | $152.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 103.5 | 1 | $36.24 | $16.56 |
| Efficient EV | 86.3 | 0 | $30.20 | $13.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 138 | 1 | $48.31 | $22.09 |
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°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
24 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
6h 43m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 drive for 88% of this trip, meaning you'll spend the majority of your time on interstates like I-57 and I-55. The open road will present a longest uninterrupted stretch of 144.3 miles on I-57, so settle in for some steady cruising. While this profile suggests a consistent pace, be prepared for the typical interstate environment. The Ken Gray Expressway offers a brief transition before rejoining the main interstate arteries. Overall, this route prioritizes efficient travel over winding scenic byways.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 144.3 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 282.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 345.1 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 282.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 282.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 328.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
604 ft
454 ft
Total Climb
149 ft
Total Descent
0 ft
Highest Point
604 ft
~123.3 mi in
Elevation Range
149 ft
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 6h 43m. Total distance: 345.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 43m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 144.3 miles on I 57. 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 282.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 282.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 328.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Aurora, IL before the return drive.
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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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