Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Olney, 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

5h 18m

Distance

245.3 mi

395 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

Good

7 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 5m ★
6 AM
5h 18m
8 AM
5h 45m
10 AM
5h 28m
12 PM
5h 25m
3 PM
5h 29m
5 PM
5h 44m
8 PM
5h 10m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in Richland County, Illinois, United States

Olney, IL

Wikimedia Commons

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

Aurora, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 245.3-mile journey from Olney, IL to Aurora, IL is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can comfortably be completed in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 18 minutes. With 76% of the route on highways, primarily I-57 and I-55, you'll find this a practical trip for getting from point A to point B within the Midwest. Budget around $38 for fuel, and anticipate a single stop for refueling or a quick break. This route is best suited for those prioritizing efficiency over scenic detours, making it ideal for a day trip where you can maximize your time at your destination.

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

122.7 miles from Olney, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 38m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 57 117.7 mi 2h 6m
IL 33 36.3 mi 53m
I 55 18.6 mi 20m
South Van Buren Street 11 mi 15m
County Road North 303 West 8.9 mi 15m
State Route 113 7.7 mi 11m
Lincoln Highway 7.5 mi 11m
County Road 1100 East 6.7 mi 9m
Longest stretch: I 57 — 117.7 mi, about 2h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Olney, IL and Aurora, IL.

1

Start on South Walnut Street

156 ft · 8 sec · South Walnut Street
2

Turn right onto West Market Street

221 ft · 12 sec · West Market Street
3

Turn right onto South Kitchell Street

237 ft · 16 sec · South Kitchell Street
4

Turn left onto West Main Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · West Main Street
5

Turn right onto IL 130

1.4 mi · 2 min · North West Street
Use the right lane.
6

Continue on IL 130

6.7 mi · 9 min · County Road 1100 East
7

Continue on IL 130

11 mi · 15 min · South Van Buren Street
8

Turn right onto IL 33; IL 130

36 mi · 53 min · IL 33; IL 130
9

Turn left onto IL 16

2.5 mi · 4 min · Lincoln Avenue
10

Continue on IL 16

5.3 mi · 7 min · Illinois Route 16
11

Continue on IL 16

0.4 mi · 38 sec · Charleston Avenue East
12

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
13

Merge onto I 57

118 mi · 2 hr 6 min · I 57
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 53 sec
Exit 308 Toward US 45, US 52: Kankakee
15

Keep slight right at fork

272 ft · 9 sec
Exit 308
16

Turn straight onto US 45; US 52

2.0 mi · 3 min · South Schuyler Avenue
17

Turn left onto US 45; US 52

0.5 mi · 49 sec · South East Avenue
18

Turn slight left onto US 45; US 52

0.4 mi · 44 sec · West Water Street
19

Turn right onto South Wall Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Wall Street
20

Continue on IL 113

1.5 mi · 2 min · North Wall Street
21

Continue on IL 113

8.9 mi · 15 min · County Road North 303 West
22

Continue on IL 113

7.7 mi · 11 min · State Route 113
23

Turn right onto West River Road

3.1 mi · 4 min · West River Road
24

Turn left onto IL 53

256 ft · 9 sec · West Baltimore Street
25

Turn right onto CH 29

1.6 mi · 2 min · Stripmine Road
26

Turn right onto IL 129

0.4 mi · 33 sec · Washington Street
27

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 55 sec
28

Merge onto I 55

19 mi · 20 min · I 55
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Exit 257 Toward US 30: Joliet, Aurora Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Keep slight left at fork

135 ft · 5 sec
Use the left lane.
31

Turn left onto US 30

2.5 mi · 5 min · Joliet Road
Use the right lane.
32

Turn slight right onto US 30; IL 59; US 66 Hist

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Division Street
Use the right lane.
33

Turn left onto US 30

1.0 mi · 1 min · 143rd Street
Use the left lane.
34

Turn right onto US 30

7.5 mi · 11 min · Lincoln Highway
Use the right lane.
35

Continue on Hill Avenue

2.4 mi · 4 min · Hill Avenue
Use the left lane.
36

Continue on East Galena Boulevard

0.1 mi · 21 sec · East Galena Boulevard
37

Turn right onto North Ohio Street

0.1 mi · 21 sec · North Ohio Street
Use the left lane.
38

Turn left onto East New York Street

1.5 mi · 2 min · East New York Street
Use the left lane.
39

Turn left onto IL 31

417 ft · 14 sec · North Lake Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
40

Turn right onto West Galena Boulevard

0.1 mi · 9 sec · West Galena Boulevard
41

Arrive at destination

West Galena Boulevard

Trip Plan

Given the manageable 5-hour, 18-minute duration for this 245.3-mile drive, starting in the morning allows ample time to reach Aurora, IL, without feeling rushed. Plan for one stop to refuel and stretch; the longest stretch on I-57 is over 117 miles, so topping up beforehand is wise. With a fuel cost estimate of $38, you can easily factor this into your budget. A practical tip for this route is to be mindful of potential traffic as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area on I-55, especially 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 122.7 miles from Olney, IL, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.7 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 54 miles or 1h 19m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 122.7 miles or 2h 38m 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 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 Olney, 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 Olney, IL

This is one driving day of about 245.3 miles and 5h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Olney, 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 117.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Champaign, IL

123 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

Charleston, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rantoul, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 122.7 miles from Olney, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 117.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Lucy's Kitchen

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Gilman, Illinois

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 157.7

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+18152657625

Crossroads Cantina

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Gilman, Illinois

1.4 mi

Asian bowl express

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rantoul, Illinois

2.2 mi

Lucy's Kitchen

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 157.7

Gilman, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+18152657625

Crossroads Cantina

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 157.7

Gilman, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+18157075200

Visit website

Asian bowl express

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 122.7

Rantoul, Illinois

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+12172821215

Visit website

Red Wheel Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 122.7

Rantoul, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12178930471

Visit website

ET's Downtown Rantoul

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 122.7

Rantoul, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12178930222

Visit website

Casa amigos Mexican restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 122.7

Rantoul, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12172156053

Subway

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv mile 210.3

Wilmington, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+18159262726

Visit website

Oak Street Restaurant And Bar

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 245.3

North Aurora, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+16303017202

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 105.1

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 105.1

Savoy, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 105.1

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 105.1

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Hampton Inn Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 105.1

Champaign, Illinois

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 105.1

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 105.1

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 25

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 228.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | IL 130 / North West Street

Turn right onto IL 130 / North West Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
182.3 mi into trip | ~3h 42m 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
182.6 mi into trip | ~3h 42m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 308
8
228.5 mi into trip | ~4h 48m 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
228.9 mi into trip | ~4h 48m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$38.35 one way

$76.70 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 86 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $42.11 $84.21
premium $4.89 $47.21 $94.41
diesel $5.61 $54.16 $108.32

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$38

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 85.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 73.6 0 $25.76 $11.77
Efficient EV 61.3 0 $21.46 $9.81
EV Truck/SUV 98.1 1 $34.34 $15.70

Gas CO2

86 kg

EV CO2

29 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Olney, IL

Late night in Olney on Sunday

Local time

12:58 AM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Aurora, IL

Late night in Aurora on Sunday

Local time

12:58 AM

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

23 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 18m 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?

Expect a highway-centric experience for most of this 245.3-mile trip, with 76% of the driving occurring on interstates like I-57 and I-55. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 117.7 miles on I-57, offering extended periods of consistent speed. While the primary roads are interstates, you will also utilize IL-33, which may offer a slight change of pace before rejoining the faster highway network. This profile suggests a drive focused on covering ground efficiently, with minimal complex navigation.

76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 117.7 mi on I 57.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and IL 33. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near IL 130 / North West Street.

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 25 significant decision points across 245.3 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 0.6 miles (IL 130 / North West Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 182.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

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 18m. Total distance: 245.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 117.7 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 0.6 miles (IL 130 / North West Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 182.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Aurora, IL

Crestwood, IL 331 mi · 6h 32m De Soto, IL 328 mi · 6h 29m Cambria, IL 323.5 mi · 6h 22m Bremen, IL 320.9 mi · 6h 24m

More from Olney, IL

Rockford, IL 294.5 mi · 5h 47m

More trips to Aurora, IL

Rosiclare, IL 361.6 mi Mount Pleasant, IL 345.1 mi Makanda, IL 341.4 mi Goreville, IL 330.4 mi Sleepy Hollow, IL 329.4 mi Crainville, IL 323.6 mi
Escape planner: Olney, IL Scenic drives in IL

Explore more options from Olney, IL or browse trips ending in Aurora, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.