Origin
Sherman, IL
Late night in Sherman on Tuesday
Local time
4:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sherman, 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 11m
Distance
165.1 mi
266 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 0m
★
6 AM
3h 12m
8 AM
3h 35m
10 AM
3h 20m
12 PM
3h 18m
3 PM
3h 21m
5 PM
3h 34m
8 PM
3h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sherman, IL
Pho Tomass
Aurora, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 165.1-mile drive from Sherman, IL to Aurora, IL is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 11 minutes. You'll spend about 93% of your time on highways, primarily utilizing I-55. With an estimated fuel cost of $26, it's an economical option for a quick journey within the Midwest. The route is designed for efficiency rather than leisurely sightseeing, making it ideal for those who want to get from point A to point B without much fuss. Consider this your go-to for a no-frills trip 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
82.6 miles from Sherman, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 92.9 mi | 1h 39m |
| IL 47 | 32 mi | 38m |
| I 55 Business | 21.4 mi | 23m |
| IL 31 | 5.9 mi | 9m |
| 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
— 92.9 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sherman, IL and Aurora, IL.
1
Start on Parkway Drive
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Parkway Drive
2
At end of road, turn right onto IL 124
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Andrew Road
3
Turn left onto I 55 Business
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sherman Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4
Take the exit onto I 55 Business
21 mi
·
23 min
·
I 55 Business
5
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.
6
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.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 220
Toward IL 47: Morris, Dwight
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn left onto IL 47
32 mi
·
38 min
·
IL 47
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn right onto Walker Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Walker Road
10
Turn left onto Ashley Road
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Ashley Road
11
At end of road, turn right onto IL 126
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
East Schoolhouse Road
12
Turn left onto Minkler Road
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Minkler Road
13
Enter roundabout onto Minkler Road
126 ft
·
3 sec
·
Minkler Road
14
Continue on Minkler Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Minkler Road
15
Continue on Orchard Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Orchard Road
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto US 34
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
US 34
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on IL 31
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
IL 31
18
Continue on IL 31
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
IL 31
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto West Galena Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
West Galena Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
West Galena Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given its 3-hour, 11-minute duration and 165.1-mile length, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially on I-55. You'll encounter one stop implicitly for refueling or a quick break along the way, with the longest stretch being 92.9 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $26, and it's wise to fill up before embarking on the 92.9-mile segment on I-55. This route is designed for efficiency, so plan for minimal detours and focus on reaching Aurora smoothly.
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 82.6 miles from Sherman, IL, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.9 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 36 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.6 miles or 1h 30m 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 29m
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 Sherman, 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 Sherman, IL
This is one driving day of about 165.1 miles and 3h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Sherman, 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 92.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 82.6 miles from Sherman, 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 92.9 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 0.2 and 165 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IL 124 / East Andrew Road
At end of road, turn right onto IL 124 / East Andrew Road
Navigation decision point
7
22.9 mi into trip
|
~26m 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
52.3 mi into trip
|
~57m 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
115.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 5m 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
165 mi into trip
|
~3h 11m in
|
West Galena Boulevard
Turn left onto West Galena Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.81 one way
$51.62 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.34 | $56.68 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.77 | $63.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.45 | $72.90 |
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: 57.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.5 | 0 | $17.34 | $7.92 |
| Efficient EV | 41.3 | 0 | $14.45 | $6.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66 | 0 | $23.11 | $10.57 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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
4:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 15 mph
28% chance
Live forecast
68°F
El Paso, IL
83 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
10 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 11m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this 165.1-mile route, with 93% of your travel occurring on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 92.9 miles on I-55, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the journey. While the bulk of the drive is on I-55, you'll transition to IL-47 and then I-55 Business as you approach your destination, introducing some variations in the road environment. This highway-focused profile means you'll be dealing with typical interstate traffic and speeds for most of the 3-hour, 11-minute drive.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 92.9 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 0.2 miles in near IL 124 / East Andrew Road.
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 165.1 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 0.2 miles (IL 124 / East Andrew Road): Navigation decision point; at 22.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 52.3 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 Sherman, IL and Aurora, IL, road signs point toward Peoria and Dwight.
Peoria
52.3 mi in
|
~57m
|
via I 55
Dwight
115.8 mi in
|
~2h 5m
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 11m. Total distance: 165.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 11m 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 92.9 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 0.2 miles (IL 124 / East Andrew Road): Navigation decision point; at 22.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 52.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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