Origin
Rome, IL
Late night in Rome on Tuesday
Local time
3:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rome, 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
2h 16m
Distance
108.7 mi
175 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 7m
★
6 AM
2h 16m
8 AM
2h 35m
10 AM
2h 23m
12 PM
2h 21m
3 PM
2h 24m
5 PM
2h 34m
8 PM
2h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rome, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Aurora, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Rome, IL to Aurora, IL is 108.7 miles and takes about 2h 16m via I 80 and Illinois Route 71, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day journey. You'll be covering a moderate distance, so it's a manageable trip without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54.4 miles from Rome, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 31.7 mi | 34m |
| Illinois Route 71 | 30.2 mi | 44m |
| County Road 1400 East | 17.8 mi | 20m |
| South 4th Street | 9.1 mi | 10m |
| I 180 | 8.9 mi | 9m |
| IL 31 | 5.9 mi | 9m |
| North State Route 29 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| US 34 | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 31.7 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rome, IL and Aurora, IL.
1
Start on IL 29
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
North State Route 29
2
Continue on IL 29
9.1 mi
·
10 min
·
South 4th Street
3
Continue on IL 29
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Railroad Street
4
Continue on IL 29
18 mi
·
20 min
·
County Road 1400 East
5
Merge onto I 180
8.9 mi
·
9 min
·
I 180
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 80 East: Joliet
7
Merge onto I 80
32 mi
·
34 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 93
Toward IL 71: Ottawa, Oswego
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn left onto IL 71
30 mi
·
44 min
·
Illinois Route 71
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn left onto Orchard Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Orchard Road
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto US 34
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
US 34
Use the right lane.
12
Continue on IL 31
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
IL 31
13
Continue on IL 31
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
IL 31
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto West Galena Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
West Galena Boulevard
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
West Galena Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 16 minutes, this trip is perfectly suited for a same-day excursion. You can leave any time of day, but departing in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Aurora, IL. With only 108.7 miles, you won't need to worry about extensive fuel stops; however, it's always wise to top off before heading out. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as the longest stretch without a major town is about 31.7 miles on I 80.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 54.4 miles from Rome, IL, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.7 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 24 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.4 miles or 1h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 45m
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 Rome, 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 Rome, IL
This is one driving day of about 108.7 miles and 2h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Rome, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 31.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
54 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 54.4 miles from Rome, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 85 decision points cluster between mile 38.2 and 108.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
38.2 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 East: Joliet
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 80 East: Joliet
5
38.6 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
70.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
Take the exit toward IL 71: Ottawa, Oswego
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 93
Toward IL 71: Ottawa, Oswego
6
70.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
|
IL 71 / Illinois Route 71
Turn left onto IL 71 / Illinois Route 71
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
108.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
|
West Galena Boulevard
Turn left onto West Galena Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.99 one way
$33.99 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $18.66 | $37.32 |
| premium | $4.89 | $20.92 | $41.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.00 | $48.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.6 | 0 | $11.41 | $5.22 |
| Efficient EV | 27.2 | 0 | $9.51 | $4.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.5 | 0 | $15.22 | $6.96 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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
3:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
65°F
Ottawa, IL
54 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
1 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
2h 16m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 73% of the journey taking place on interstates and main roads. You'll experience a consistent pace for much of the drive, especially during the longest stretch of 31.7 miles on I 80. While the majority is highway, there are segments on Illinois Route 71 and County Road 1400 East that offer a slight change of pace. Expect a predictable driving experience with minimal unexpected twists and turns.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 31.7 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Illinois Route 71. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 38.2 miles in.
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 108.7 miles you will encounter 8 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 38.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 38.6 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Rome, IL to Aurora, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Oswego along the way.
Oswego
70.3 mi in
|
~1h 18m
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 2h 16m. Total distance: 108.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 31.7 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 38.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 38.6 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Aurora, IL before heading back.
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.
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