This 56.7-mile journey from Aurora, IL to La Salle, IL is a straightforward 1 hour and 19-minute drive, making it an ideal day trip. Primarily utilizing IL 71 and I 80, you'll experience an 86% highway-focused drive. With an estimated fuel cost of $9, this route keeps expenses low as you travel within the Midwest region. Given its short duration and minimal stops, this trip offers a flexible and easy excursion without the need for an overnight stay. It's a practical option for a quick change of scenery.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
28.4 miles from Aurora, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 43m into the drive
.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 86% of the drive occurring on faster roads. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 30 miles along IL 71, offering a consistent pace. The use of I 80 also contributes to the highway feel. This drive is characterized by its efficiency, allowing you to cover ground quickly without many deviations from the main thoroughfares. It’s a route designed for straightforward travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
IL 71 is the longest continuous segment at about 30 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
770 ft563 ft
Total Climb
204 ft
Total Descent
317 ft
Highest Point
770 ft
~16.2 mi in
Elevation Range
207 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on IL 71 and I 80. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near IL 31 / South Lake Street.
Route Complexity5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 56.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.1 miles (IL 31 / South Lake Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles (IL 71): Lane positioning matters here; at 37.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|IL 31 / South Lake Street
Turn right onto IL 31 / South Lake Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
7.9 mi into trip|~13m in|IL 71
Turn right onto IL 71
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
37.9 mi into trip|~57m in
Take the ramp toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island
6
52.8 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Normal, Bloomington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 79A
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Normal, Bloomin...
5
55.3 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward US 6: LaSalle, Peru, Ottowa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 6: LaSalle, Peru, Ottowa
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Aurora, IL and La Salle, IL, road signs point toward Rock Island and Bloomington.
Rock Island
37.9 mi in|~57m
Bloomington
52.8 mi in|~1h 13m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
IL 71
30 mi
43m
I 80
14.5 mi
15m
South Lake Street
5.9 mi
9m
I 39
2.1 mi
2m
US 34
1.2 mi
2m
US 6
1 mi
1m
Orchard Road
0.7 mi
1m
West Galena Boulevard
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
IL 71
— 30 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aurora, IL and La Salle, IL.
1
Start on West Galena Boulevard
0.1 mi·15 sec·West Galena Boulevard
2
Turn right onto IL 31
5.9 mi·9 min·South Lake Street
Use the right lane.
3
Continue on US 34
1.2 mi·2 min·US 34
4
Turn left onto Orchard Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Orchard Road
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto IL 71
30 mi·43 min·IL 71
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island
7
Merge onto I 80
15 mi·15 min·I 80
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 79AToward I 39 South, US 51 South: Normal, Bloomington
9
Merge onto I 39; US 51
2.1 mi·2 min·I 39; US 51
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward US 6: LaSalle, Peru, Ottowa
11
Turn right onto US 6
1.0 mi·1 min·US 6
12
Turn right onto Tonti Street
171 ft·7 sec·Tonti Street
13
Arrive at destination
Tonti Street
Trip Plan
This short 1 hour and 19-minute drive offers plenty of flexibility, so you can leave whenever suits your schedule. Plan to depart in the morning to maximize your day, but an afternoon departure is also easily manageable. With only a few main roads, including IL 71 and I 80, navigation is simple. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, though the $9 estimated cost suggests you won't need frequent stops. The longest stretch without a break is about 30 miles on IL 71; consider a brief pause before or after this segment if needed.
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 28.4 miles from Aurora, IL, or about 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30 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 12 miles or 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 28.4 miles or 43m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near La Salle, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Aurora, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Aurora, IL
This is one driving day of about 56.7 miles and 1h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 12 miles from Aurora, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on IL 71 for about 30 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 28.4 mi from Aurora, IL
· 43m into the drive
The midpoint is around 28.4 miles from Aurora, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in La Salle, IL
The final approach into La Salle, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.86 one way
$17.73 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg20 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$9.73
$19.47
premium
$4.89
$10.91
$21.82
diesel
$5.61
$12.52
$25.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
17
0
$5.95
$2.72
Efficient EV
14.2
0
$4.96
$2.27
EV Truck/SUV
22.7
0
$7.94
$3.63
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Aurora, IL
Night
in Aurora on Wednesday
Local time
9:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 15 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
La Salle, IL
Night
in La Salle on Wednesday
Local time
9:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Bristol, IL
28 mi in
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
11 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
1h 19m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Aurora, IL to La Salle, IL covers 56.7 miles and takes about 1h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are IL 71, I 80, South Lake Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 28.4 miles from Aurora, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.86 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 56.7 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (IL 31 / South Lake Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles (IL 71): Lane positioning matters here; at 37.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Aurora, IL and La Salle, IL, road signs point toward Rock Island and Bloomington.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 563 ft to 770 ft elevation with about 204 ft of total climbing.
