Origin
Riverton, IL
Late night in Riverton on Tuesday
Local time
5:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Riverton, IL to Aurora, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 19m
Distance
168 mi
270 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 7m
★
6 AM
3h 19m
8 AM
3h 43m
10 AM
3h 28m
12 PM
3h 25m
3 PM
3h 29m
5 PM
3h 42m
8 PM
3h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Riverton, IL
Pho Tomass
Aurora, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Riverton to Aurora, Illinois, covers 168 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 19 minutes. This highway-focused route is well-suited for a single-day trip, making it an efficient way to transit across the Midwest. You should budget approximately $26 for fuel to complete the journey. Because the drive is relatively straightforward, you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations unless you prefer a slower pace. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that prioritizes speed and direct connectivity between these two Illinois locations.
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
84 miles from Riverton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 110.1 mi | 1h 57m |
| IL 47 | 32 mi | 38m |
| IL 31 | 5.9 mi | 9m |
| South Williamsville Road | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| Minkler Road | 4.3 mi | 6m |
| Ashley Road | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| Walker Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| US 34 | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 110.1 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverton, IL and Aurora, IL.
1
Start on East Lincoln Street
25 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Lincoln Street
2
Turn left onto North 7th Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North 7th Street
3
Continue on County Highway 5A
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
County Highway 5A
4
Continue on CR 5A; CR 31
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
South Main Street
5
Continue on South Williamsville Road
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
South Williamsville Road
6
Turn left onto Valor Parkway
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Valor Parkway
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on Old Route 66
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Route 66
8
Turn left onto IL 123
273 ft
·
7 sec
·
County Highway 2
9
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
10
Merge onto I 55
17 mi
·
18 min
·
I 55
11
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.
12
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.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 220
Toward IL 47: Morris, Dwight
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn left onto IL 47
32 mi
·
38 min
·
IL 47
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto Walker Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Walker Road
16
Turn left onto Ashley Road
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Ashley Road
17
At end of road, turn right onto IL 126
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
East Schoolhouse Road
18
Turn left onto Minkler Road
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Minkler Road
19
Enter roundabout onto Minkler Road
126 ft
·
3 sec
·
Minkler Road
20
Continue on Minkler Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Minkler Road
21
Continue on Orchard Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Orchard Road
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto US 34
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
US 34
Use the right lane.
23
Continue on IL 31
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
IL 31
24
Continue on IL 31
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
IL 31
Use the left lane.
25
Turn left onto West Galena Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
West Galena Boulevard
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
West Galena Boulevard
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. With only one recommended stop planned, you can easily reach Aurora in under three and a half hours without feeling rushed. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long 110.1-mile stretch on I-55, as this is where you will expend the most energy. If you find yourself needing a break, look to time your single stop toward the middle of the trip to reset before hitting the state highway portions. By keeping your pace steady, you can navigate the 168 miles comfortably in a single sitting.
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 84 miles from Riverton, IL, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.1 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 37 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 36m
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 Riverton, 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 Riverton, IL
This is one driving day of about 168 miles and 3h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Riverton, 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 110.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 84 miles from Riverton, 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 110.1 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 145 decision points cluster between mile 7.1 and 167.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
7.1 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
Valor Parkway
Turn left onto Valor Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
25.8 mi into trip
|
~33m 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
55.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m 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
118.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m 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
167.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m in
|
West Galena Boulevard
Turn left onto West Galena Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.26 one way
$52.53 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.84 | $57.68 |
| premium | $4.89 | $32.33 | $64.66 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.09 | $74.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.4 | 0 | $17.64 | $8.06 |
| Efficient EV | 42 | 0 | $14.70 | $6.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.2 | 0 | $23.52 | $10.75 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Destination
Aurora, IL
Late night in Aurora on Tuesday
Local time
5:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
El Paso, IL
84 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
6 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 19m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive dominated by high-speed transit, with 90% of your time spent on highways. The journey begins with a significant 110.1-mile stretch on I-55, which serves as the backbone of your trip. As you transition onto IL-47 and IL-31, the character of the road shifts from the wide, open lanes of the interstate to more localized state highway driving. While the majority of the route is a predictable highway grind, the final segments allow for a change in pace as you approach your destination. Be prepared for a consistent flow of traffic throughout the duration of the trip.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 110.1 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and IL 47. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 7.1 miles in near Valor Parkway.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 168 miles you will encounter 14 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 7.1 miles (Valor Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 25.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.2 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 Riverton, IL and Aurora, IL, road signs point toward Peoria and Dwight.
Peoria
55.2 mi in
|
~1h 5m
|
via I 55
Dwight
118.7 mi in
|
~2h 13m
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 3h 19m. Total distance: 168 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 110.1 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 7.1 miles (Valor Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 25.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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