Origin
Newport, IL
Afternoon in Newport on Sunday
Local time
2:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Newport, 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
5h 5m
Distance
268.7 mi
432 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 52m
★
6 AM
5h 5m
8 AM
5h 32m
10 AM
5h 14m
12 PM
5h 12m
3 PM
5h 16m
5 PM
5h 31m
8 PM
4h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Newport, IL
Mohan Nannapaneni
Aurora, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Newport to Aurora is 268.7 miles and takes about 5h 5m via I 55 and IL 47, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, specifically Illinois, making it a straightforward trip between two points in the same state. With a high highway share, expect much of your time to be spent on interstates, which generally means fewer stops and more consistent speeds. This route is best suited for those looking for an efficient drive without needing extensive planning for overnight stays.
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
134.3 miles from Newport, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 200.1 mi | 3h 35m |
| IL 47 | 32 mi | 38m |
| I 270 | 11.6 mi | 13m |
| IL 31 | 5.9 mi | 9m |
| Lewis and Clark Boulevard | 5.3 mi | 6m |
| Minkler Road | 4.3 mi | 6m |
| Ashley Road | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| Cedar Street | 1.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 200.1 mi, about 3h 35m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,745 veh/hr typical · worst 2,160
Quietest
2 AM
~156 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Newport, IL and Aurora, IL.
1
Start on Bissell Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Bissell Street
2
Turn left onto IL 3
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Cedar Street
3
Continue on IL 3
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Lewis and Clark Boulevard
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 270 East: Effingham
5
Merge onto I 270
12 mi
·
13 min
·
I 270
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 15B
Toward I 55 North: Chicago, Springfield
7
Merge onto I 55
107 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
I 55
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
64 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 220
Toward IL 47: Morris, Dwight
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn left onto IL 47
32 mi
·
38 min
·
IL 47
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn right onto Walker Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Walker Road
13
Turn left onto Ashley Road
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Ashley Road
14
At end of road, turn right onto IL 126
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
East Schoolhouse Road
15
Turn left onto Minkler Road
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Minkler Road
16
Enter roundabout onto Minkler Road
126 ft
·
3 sec
·
Minkler Road
17
Continue on Minkler Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Minkler Road
18
Continue on Orchard Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Orchard Road
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto US 34
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
US 34
Use the right lane.
20
Continue on IL 31
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
IL 31
21
Continue on IL 31
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
IL 31
Use the left lane.
22
Turn left onto West Galena Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
West Galena Boulevard
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
West Galena Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, leaving in the morning from Newport should allow ample time to reach Aurora before evening. The route is primarily highway-based, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of I 55. While the drive is manageable in one day, the flexibility of a shorter travel time means you can afford to take an unscheduled break if needed. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you get closer to Aurora, as congestion can increase during peak hours.
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 134.3 miles from Newport, IL, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 200.1 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 59 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.3 miles or 2h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h
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 Newport, 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 Newport, IL
This is one driving day of about 268.7 miles and 5h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Newport, 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 55 for about 200.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 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 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 134.3 miles from Newport, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 200.1 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 155 decision points cluster between mile 18.9 and 268.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
18.9 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward I 55 North: Chicago, Springfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 15B
Toward I 55 North: Chicago, Springfield
7
126.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
|
I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
155.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m in
|
I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
8
219.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 59m in
Take the exit toward IL 47: Morris, Dwight
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 220
Toward IL 47: Morris, Dwight
6
268.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 4m in
|
West Galena Boulevard
Turn left onto West Galena Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.99 one way
$81.99 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.27 | $45.15 | $90.30 |
| premium | $4.81 | $50.84 | $101.68 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $57.16 | $114.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.6 | 0 | $28.21 | $12.90 |
| Efficient EV | 67.2 | 0 | $23.51 | $10.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.5 | 1 | $37.62 | $17.20 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Aurora, IL
Afternoon in Aurora on Sunday
Local time
2:34 PM
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
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
5h 5m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on highways, with 93% of the 268.7 miles utilizing major roadways like I 55 and I 270. You'll experience a long stretch of approximately 200.1 miles on I 55, meaning extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads like IL 47 occurs later in the trip, marking the end of the high-speed interstate portion. Expect a significant number of exits and potential for merging traffic as you approach more populated areas near Aurora.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 200.1 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and IL 47. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.9 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 15 significant decision points across 268.7 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 18.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 155.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Newport, IL and Aurora, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Peoria and Dwight.
Springfield
18.9 mi in
|
~22m
Peoria
155.8 mi in
|
~2h 51m
|
via I 55
Dwight
219.4 mi in
|
~3h 59m
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 5h 5m. Total distance: 268.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 5m 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 200.1 miles on I 55. 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 18.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 155.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 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 FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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