Origin
Jackson, IL
Evening in Jackson on Tuesday
Local time
6:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Jackson, IL to Aurora, IL
Data updated 32 minutes ago
Drive Time
5h 53m
Distance
269.1 mi
433 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 40m
★
6 AM
5h 53m
8 AM
6h 19m
10 AM
6h 2m
12 PM
6h 0m
3 PM
6h 4m
5 PM
6h 18m
8 PM
5h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jackson, IL
Stéphane Tendon
Aurora, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 269.1-mile journey from Jackson, IL to Aurora, IL takes approximately 5 hours and 53 minutes, making it a feasible day trip. Primarily utilizing I-57, IL-33, and US-50, this drive is largely highway-focused, covering 77% on faster roads. With an estimated fuel cost of $42, it's an economical option for traversing the Midwest. While you'll encounter just one recommended stop along the way, the longest stretch without a break is a significant 117.7 miles on I-57. This route offers a straightforward way to get from point A to point B within Illinois.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
134.6 miles from Jackson, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 269.1-mile trip, with 77% of the route on faster roads. The primary artery is I-57, where you'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 117.7 miles. This means you'll have extended periods of consistent speed and less varied scenery. While the route does incorporate IL-33 and US-50, these are also substantial roads that contribute to the overall efficiency of the drive. The character is less about winding backroads and more about covering distance effectively.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 45 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 117.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and IL 33. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 206.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 269.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 206.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 206.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 252.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 26 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
206.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 16m in
Take the exit toward US 45, US 52: Kankakee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 308
Toward US 45, US 52: Kankakee
6
206.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 17m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 308
8
252.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 22m in
Take the exit toward US 30: Joliet, Aurora
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 257
Toward US 30: Joliet, Aurora
6
252.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
256.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 31m in
|
US 30 / 143rd Street
Turn left onto US 30 / 143rd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 117.7 mi | 2h 6m |
| IL 33 | 36.3 mi | 53m |
| US 50 | 18.6 mi | 25m |
| I 55 | 18.6 mi | 20m |
| South Van Buren Street | 11 mi | 15m |
| County Road North 303 West | 8.9 mi | 15m |
| State Route 113 | 7.7 mi | 11m |
| Lincoln Highway | 7.5 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 117.7 mi, about 2h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, IL and Aurora, IL.
1
Start on 990N
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
990N
2
Turn sharp left onto US 50 Business
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
US 50 Business
3
Continue on State Street
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
State Street
4
Take the ramp onto US 50 Business
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
US 50 Business
5
Continue on US 50
19 mi
·
25 min
·
US 50
6
Turn right onto East Main Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
7
Turn right onto North Lincoln Avenue
481 ft
·
18 sec
·
North Lincoln Avenue
8
Turn left onto East Butler Street
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
East Butler Street
9
Turn right onto IL 130
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North West Street
10
Continue on IL 130
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
County Road 1100 East
11
Continue on IL 130
11 mi
·
15 min
·
South Van Buren Street
12
Turn right onto IL 33; IL 130
36 mi
·
53 min
·
IL 33; IL 130
13
Turn left onto IL 16
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Lincoln Avenue
14
Continue on IL 16
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Illinois Route 16
15
Continue on IL 16
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Charleston Avenue East
16
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
17
Merge onto I 57
118 mi
·
2 hr 6 min
·
I 57
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 308
Toward US 45, US 52: Kankakee
19
Keep slight right at fork
272 ft
·
9 sec
Exit 308
20
Turn straight onto US 45; US 52
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
South Schuyler Avenue
21
Turn left onto US 45; US 52
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
South East Avenue
22
Turn slight left onto US 45; US 52
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
West Water Street
23
Turn right onto South Wall Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Wall Street
24
Continue on IL 113
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
North Wall Street
25
Continue on IL 113
8.9 mi
·
15 min
·
County Road North 303 West
26
Continue on IL 113
7.7 mi
·
11 min
·
State Route 113
27
Turn right onto West River Road
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
West River Road
28
Turn left onto IL 53
256 ft
·
9 sec
·
West Baltimore Street
29
Turn right onto CH 29
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Stripmine Road
30
Turn right onto IL 129
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
Washington Street
31
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
32
Merge onto I 55
19 mi
·
20 min
·
I 55
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 257
Toward US 30: Joliet, Aurora
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork
135 ft
·
5 sec
Use the left lane.
35
Turn left onto US 30
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Joliet Road
Use the right lane.
36
Turn slight right onto US 30; IL 59; US 66 Hist
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Division Street
Use the right lane.
37
Turn left onto US 30
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
143rd Street
Use the left lane.
38
Turn right onto US 30
7.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Lincoln Highway
Use the right lane.
39
Continue on Hill Avenue
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Hill Avenue
Use the left lane.
40
Continue on East Galena Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
East Galena Boulevard
41
Turn right onto North Ohio Street
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
North Ohio Street
Use the left lane.
42
Turn left onto East New York Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East New York Street
Use the left lane.
43
Turn left onto IL 31
417 ft
·
14 sec
·
North Lake Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
44
Turn right onto West Galena Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
West Galena Boulevard
45
Arrive at destination
West Galena Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour, 53-minute duration, this 269.1-mile drive is well-suited for a single day. Consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you approach Aurora. With only one recommended stop, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or before embarking on the 117.7-mile stretch on I-57. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly during that longer segment, as services might be less frequent. The $42 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a buffer.
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 134.6 miles from Jackson, IL, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.7 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 80 miles or 1h 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.6 miles or 3h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 42m
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 Jackson, 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 Jackson, IL
This is one driving day of about 269.1 miles and 5h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Jackson, 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 57 for about 117.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 134.6 mi from Jackson, IL · 3h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
135 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 134.6 miles from Jackson, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 117.7 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.07 one way
$84.14 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $46.19 | $92.38 |
| premium | $4.89 | $51.79 | $103.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.41 | $118.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.7 | 0 | $28.26 | $12.92 |
| Efficient EV | 67.3 | 0 | $23.55 | $10.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.6 | 1 | $37.67 | $17.22 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Evening in Aurora on Tuesday
Local time
6:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
14 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
5h 53m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Jackson, IL to Aurora, IL covers 269.1 miles and takes about 5h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, IL 33, US 50. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 134.6 miles from Jackson, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.07 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 269.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 206.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 206.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 252.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Jackson, IL to Aurora, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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