Trip from Norris City, IL to Aurora, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 26m

Distance

298.5 mi

480 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

EV Charging

Good

6 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

6h 14m ★

6 AM

6h 26m

8 AM

6h 51m

10 AM

6h 35m

12 PM

6h 32m

3 PM

6h 36m

5 PM

6h 50m

8 PM

6h 19m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Norris City, IL

Tom Fisk

city on tripoints of DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties in Illinois, United States

Aurora, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Norris City, IL to Aurora, IL covers 298.5 miles and takes about 6h 26m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 57, I 55, County Road 200 East for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 145.1 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.67 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

149.3 miles from Norris City, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 17m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 57	145.1 mi	2h 35m
I 55	18.6 mi	20m
County Road 200 East	17.4 mi	25m
County Road 925 E	16.2 mi	24m
United States Route 45	14.9 mi	22m
County Road 1400E	14.3 mi	20m
County Road North 303 West	8.9 mi	15m
County Road 1600E	8.5 mi	12m

Longest stretch: I 57 — 145.1 mi, about 2h 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Norris City, IL and Aurora, IL.

Start on West Main Street

167 ft · 8 sec · West Main Street

Turn left onto US 45

0.5 mi · 44 sec · North Division Street

Continue on US 45

7.4 mi · 11 min · County Road 200 East

Continue on US 45

1.1 mi · 1 min · South 1st Street

Continue on US 45

9.9 mi · 14 min · County Road 200 East

Continue on US 45

6.8 mi · 10 min · Loy Street

Continue on US 45

2.5 mi · 3 min · South 1st Street

Turn left onto US 45; IL 15

2.4 mi · 3 min · West Main Street

Turn right onto US 45

4.0 mi · 5 min · County Road 1600E

Continue on US 45

1.0 mi · 1 min · Washington Street

Continue on US 45

4.6 mi · 6 min · County Road 1600E

Continue on US 45

1.4 mi · 2 min · County Road 1800N

Continue on US 45

0.4 mi · 34 sec · Central Street

Continue on US 45

0.5 mi · 48 sec · Central Street

Continue on US 45

14 mi · 20 min · County Road 1400E

Turn right onto US 45

16 mi · 24 min · County Road 925 E

Continue on US 45

15 mi · 22 min · United States Route 45

Turn right onto US 40; US 45; IL 33

0.2 mi · 33 sec · West Fayette Avenue

Turn left onto US 45

1.7 mi · 2 min · South 3rd Street

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I-57 North, I-70 East: Champaign, Terre Haute

Merge onto I 57; I 70

0.8 mi · 55 sec · I 57; I 70

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57

144 mi · 2 hr 34 min · I 57

Toward I 57 North: Chicago

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 53 sec

Exit 308 Toward US 45, US 52: Kankakee

Keep slight right at fork

272 ft · 9 sec

Exit 308

Turn straight onto US 45; US 52

2.0 mi · 3 min · South Schuyler Avenue

Turn left onto US 45; US 52

0.5 mi · 49 sec · South East Avenue

Turn slight left onto US 45; US 52

0.4 mi · 44 sec · West Water Street

Turn right onto South Wall Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Wall Street

Continue on IL 113

1.5 mi · 2 min · North Wall Street

Continue on IL 113

8.9 mi · 15 min · County Road North 303 West

Continue on IL 113

7.7 mi · 11 min · State Route 113

Turn right onto West River Road

3.1 mi · 4 min · West River Road

Turn left onto IL 53

256 ft · 9 sec · West Baltimore Street

Turn right onto CH 29

1.6 mi · 2 min · Stripmine Road

Turn right onto IL 129

0.4 mi · 33 sec · Washington Street

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 55 sec

Merge onto I 55

19 mi · 20 min · I 55

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Exit 257 Toward US 30: Joliet, Aurora Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

135 ft · 5 sec

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto US 30

2.5 mi · 5 min · Joliet Road

Use the right lane.

Turn slight right onto US 30; IL 59; US 66 Hist

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Division Street

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto US 30

1.0 mi · 1 min · 143rd Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto US 30

7.5 mi · 11 min · Lincoln Highway

Use the right lane.

Continue on Hill Avenue

2.4 mi · 4 min · Hill Avenue

Use the left lane.

Continue on East Galena Boulevard

0.1 mi · 21 sec · East Galena Boulevard

Turn right onto North Ohio Street

0.1 mi · 21 sec · North Ohio Street

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto East New York Street

1.5 mi · 2 min · East New York Street

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto IL 31

417 ft · 14 sec · North Lake Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn right onto West Galena Boulevard

0.1 mi · 9 sec · West Galena Boulevard

Arrive at destination

West Galena Boulevard

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 149.3 miles from Norris City, IL, or about 3h 17m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145.1 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 66 miles or 1h 37m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 149.3 miles or 3h 17m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 6m

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 Norris City, 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 Norris City, IL

This is one driving day of about 298.5 miles and 6h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Norris City, 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 145.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Champaign, IL

149 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

Plainfield, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Champaign, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 149.3 miles from Norris City, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 145.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

PUERTO VALLARTA

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Effingham, Illinois

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 85.3

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12173423177

Visit website

Happy Place Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Shorewood, Illinois

1.4 mi

Crossroads Cantina

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Gilman, Illinois

1.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Critical Grind Board Game Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Shorewood, Illinois

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 277.2

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+18156304235

Visit website

Kafe De Kasa

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Shorewood, Illinois

0.8 mi

PUERTO VALLARTA

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 85.3

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12173423177

Visit website

Happy Place Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 277.2

Shorewood, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18156661447

Visit website

Crossroads Cantina

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 213.2

Gilman, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+18157075200

Visit website

The Depot

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 106.6

Neoga, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12178953666

La Terraza Express Taqueria

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 85.3

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12173422649

Visit website

Sushi Ya

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 277.2

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+18157303838

Visit website

Arcade Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 191.9

Paxton, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12173793268

Gabby Goat American Pub & Grill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 85.3

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 10:30 am–1 pm

+12173424628

Visit website

Critical Grind Board Game Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 277.2

Shorewood, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+18156304235

Visit website

Kafe De Kasa

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 277.2

Shorewood, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17792421902

Visit website

Kafé De Kasa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 277.2

Crest Hill, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18156303694

Visit website

Bonny's Bistro

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 277.2

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+18476271095

Visit website

Emmys Cafe & Gaming

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 255.9

Braidwood, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+18153905133

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 85.3

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30 mile 85.3

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 6–10 am

+12175407716

The Wine Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30 mile 255.9

Wilmington, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+18154769009

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 26

5 decision points cluster between mile 235.5 and 285.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

235.5 mi into trip | ~4h 49m 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

235.8 mi into trip | ~4h 50m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 308

281.7 mi into trip | ~5h 55m 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

282.1 mi into trip | ~5h 56m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

285.8 mi into trip | ~6h 4m in | US 30 / 143rd Street

Turn left onto US 30 / 143rd Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$46.67 one way

$93.33 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 104 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$51.24	$102.48
premium	$4.89	$57.44	$114.89
diesel	$5.61	$65.91	$131.81

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$47

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 104.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	89.6	1	$31.34	$14.33
Efficient EV	74.6	0	$26.12	$11.94
EV Truck/SUV	119.4	1	$41.79	$19.10

Gas CO2

104 kg

EV CO2

35 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 15, 2026

Origin

Norris City, IL

Afternoon in Norris City on Saturday

Local time

12:56 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Aurora, IL

Afternoon in Aurora on Saturday

Local time

12:56 PM

CDT

Current temp

51°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

25 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

6h 26m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

298.5 mi in 6h 26m, mostly highway — 145.1 mi of that is on I 57.

62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

50 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 145.1 mi on I 57.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and I 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 235.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 298.5 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 235.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 235.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 281.7 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.

On the drive from Norris City, IL to Aurora, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Terre Haute along the way.

Terre Haute

90 mi in | ~2h 13m

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 6h 26m. Total distance: 298.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 26m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 145.1 miles on I 57. 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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Aurora, IL before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Norris City, IL or browse trips ending in Aurora, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Trip from Norris City, IL to Aurora, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

PUERTO VALLARTA

Critical Grind Board Game Cafe

PUERTO VALLARTA

Happy Place Cafe

Crossroads Cantina

The Depot

La Terraza Express Taqueria

Sushi Ya

Arcade Cafe

Gabby Goat American Pub & Grill

Critical Grind Board Game Cafe

Kafe De Kasa

Kafé De Kasa

Bonny's Bistro

Emmys Cafe & Gaming

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Electrify America Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Electrify America Charging Station

Circle K | Electric Vehicle Charging Station

McAlister's Deli

Tk Grille

The Wine Cafe

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Norris City, IL

Aurora, IL

Same local time

25 degrees cooler at arrival

6h 26m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Arriving in Aurora, IL

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Aurora, IL

More from Norris City, IL

More trips to Aurora, IL