Origin
Empire, IL
Afternoon in Empire on Wednesday
Local time
4:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Empire, IL to Aurora, IL
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
2h 18m
Distance
122.1 mi
197 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 8m
★
6 AM
2h 18m
8 AM
2h 37m
10 AM
2h 25m
12 PM
2h 23m
3 PM
2h 26m
5 PM
2h 36m
8 PM
2h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Empire, IL
Claudia Solano
Aurora, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Empire, IL to Aurora, IL covers 122.1 miles and takes about 2h 18m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East 200 North Road, I 74 West, Downs for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.09 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
61.1 miles from Empire, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 18m drive with frequent turns across 122.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East 200 North Road is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Empire, IL to Aurora, IL is easy. At 2h 18m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Empire, IL to Aurora, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East 200 North Road | — | — |
| I 74 West | — | — |
| Downs | — | — |
| East 700 North Road | — | — |
| South Seminary Street | — | — |
| Towanda Barnes Road | — | — |
| Towanda-Barnes Road | — | — |
| West Hely Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
East 200 North Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Empire, IL and Aurora, IL.
1
Start on East 150 North Road
1.1 mi
·
4 min
·
East 150 North Road
2
Turn left onto East 200 North Road
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
East 200 North Road
3
Take the ramp right toward I 74 West: Bloomington
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
I 74 West: Bloomington
4
Merge slight left
9.1 mi
·
9 min
5
Take the exit slight right toward Downs
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Downs
6
Turn right onto East 700 North Road
459 ft
·
11 sec
·
East 700 North Road
7
Continue on South Seminary Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Seminary Street
8
At the end of the road, turn left
2.0 mi
·
2 min
9
Turn right onto Towanda Barnes Road
6.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Towanda Barnes Road
10
Continue on Towanda-Barnes Road
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Towanda-Barnes Road
11
Continue on West Hely Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
West Hely Street
12
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jefferson Street
13
Continue on North 1900 East Road
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
North 1900 East Road
14
Take the ramp right toward I 55 North: Joliet
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
I 55 North: Joliet
15
Merge slight left
48 mi
·
51 min
16
Take the exit slight right toward IL 47: Morris, Dwight
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
IL 47: Morris, Dwight
17
Turn left
32 mi
·
38 min
18
Turn right onto Walker Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Walker Road
19
Turn left onto Ashley Road
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Ashley Road
20
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Schoolhouse Road
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
East Schoolhouse Road
21
Turn left onto Minkler Road
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Minkler Road
22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Minkler Road
125 ft
·
4 sec
·
Minkler Road
23
Exit the roundabout onto Minkler Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Minkler Road
24
Continue on Orchard Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Orchard Road
25
Turn right
1.2 mi
·
2 min
26
Continue straight
2.5 mi
·
4 min
27
Continue straight
3.4 mi
·
5 min
28
Turn left onto West Galena Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
West Galena Boulevard
29
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 61.1 miles from Empire, IL, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
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 27 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.1 miles or 1h 9m 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 53m
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 Empire, 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 Empire, IL
This is one driving day of about 122.1 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Empire, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 61.1 mi from Empire, IL · 1h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 61.1 miles from Empire, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Aurora, IL
The final approach into Aurora, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Aurora, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.09 one way
$38.18 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.96 | $41.92 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.50 | $46.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.96 | $53.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.6 | 0 | $12.82 | $5.86 |
| Efficient EV | 30.5 | 0 | $10.68 | $4.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.8 | 0 | $17.09 | $7.81 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Afternoon in Aurora on Wednesday
Local time
4:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Gardner, IL
61 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
2 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 18m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Empire, IL to Aurora, IL covers 122.1 miles and takes about 2h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East 200 North Road, I 74 West, Downs. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 61.1 miles from Empire, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.09 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.
The drive from Empire, IL to Aurora, IL is easy. At 2h 18m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Empire, IL to Aurora, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Empire, IL to Aurora, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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