Nauvoo, IL to Aurora, IL is 236.4 miles and takes about 4h 36m via IL 110, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. It's a straightforward drive, primarily on major roads, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a direct trip. Given the relatively short duration, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination. You'll encounter mostly highway driving, so plan for steady progress.
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
118.2 miles from Nauvoo, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
IL 110
116.7 mi
2h 5m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
60.1 mi
1h 7m
US 34
28.6 mi
35m
US 61 Business
13.7 mi
16m
North Horton Street
8.2 mi
12m
354th Avenue
3.3 mi
4m
North Lake Street
2.2 mi
4m
Fort Madison Bridge
1.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
IL 110
— 116.7 mi, about 2h 5m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 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
9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Nauvoo, IL and Aurora, IL.
1
Start on North Wells Street
68 ft·8 sec·North Wells Street
2
Turn left onto IL 96
1.0 mi·1 min·Mulholland Street
3
Continue on IL 96
8.2 mi·12 min·North Horton Street
4
Turn left onto IL 9
1.2 mi·4 min·Fort Madison Bridge
5
At end of road, turn right onto US 61 Business
0.3 mi·24 sec·2nd Street
6
Continue on US 61 Business
3.3 mi·4 min·354th Avenue
7
Take the ramp onto US 61 Business
14 mi·16 min·US 61 Business
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 34 East, IA 163 East
9
Merge onto US 34; IA 163
28 mi·34 min·US 34; IA 163
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit onto US 34
0.4 mi·51 sec·US 34
11
Merge onto US 34; US 67; IL 110
22 mi·25 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto IL 110
32 mi·34 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
13
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 110
6.3 mi·6 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Toward I 80 West: Des Moines
14
Take the exit onto IL 110
117 mi·2 hr 5 min·IL 110
Exit 4BToward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
15
Take the exit onto IL 56
0.6 mi·1 min·IL 56
Exit 117Toward IL 31 East, IL 56 EastUse 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
For this 236.4-mile drive, leaving Nauvoo in the morning is recommended to ensure you arrive in Aurora with plenty of daylight. With a duration of around 4h 36m, you could complete the trip in one day, but consider a brief stop to break up the 116.7-mile stretch on IL 110. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $36, and plan your refueling stops accordingly. Since this route is mostly highway, you'll have flexibility in choosing your departure time and stop locations.
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 118.2 miles from Nauvoo, IL, or about 2h 25m 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 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.2 miles or 2h 25m 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 47m
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 Nauvoo, 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 Nauvoo, IL
This is one driving day of about 236.4 miles and 4h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Nauvoo, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 13.9 and 233.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
13.9 mi into trip|~23m in|US 61 Business
Take the ramp onto US 61 Business
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
27.5 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward US 34 East, IA 163 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 34 East, IA 163 East
6
78.3 mi into trip|~1h 42m 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
116.5 mi into trip|~2h 23m 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
233.2 mi into trip|~4h 29m 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
$34.91 one way
$69.82 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$38.54
$77.08
premium
$4.72
$43.89
$87.78
diesel
$4.80
$44.64
$89.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.9
0
$24.82
$11.35
Efficient EV
59.1
0
$20.69
$9.46
EV Truck/SUV
94.6
1
$33.10
$15.13
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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Nauvoo, IL
Late night
in Nauvoo on Monday
Local time
3:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 mph24% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:14AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 10:10AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Aurora, IL
Late night
in Aurora on Monday
Local time
3:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
WNW 10 to 15 mph59% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:14AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 10:10AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
87°F
Buckeye, IL
118 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
3 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 36m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 93% of the 236.4 miles on major roads like IL 110 and US 34. The longest continuous stretch without a significant change in road type is 116.7 miles on IL 110. You can expect a fairly consistent experience for most of the trip, with limited transitions to surface roads. The dense exit count typical of highway travel will be a noticeable feature for much of the 4h 36m duration.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 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?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on IL 110 and Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.9 miles in near US 61 Business.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 236.4 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 13.9 miles (US 61 Business): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.3 miles (IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
913 ft526 ft
Total Climb
567 ft
Total Descent
539 ft
Highest Point
913 ft
~202.6 mi in
Elevation Range
387 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Nauvoo, IL and Aurora, IL, road signs point toward Rock Island and Rock Falls.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 36m. Total distance: 236.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). 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.
Yes — we found about 9 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.9 miles (US 61 Business): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.3 miles (IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Aurora, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
