Origin
Sherman, IL
Night in Sherman on Tuesday
Local time
11:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
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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
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station data
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
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 .
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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.
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.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn right onto IL 124 / East Andrew Road
Navigation decision point
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Turn left onto West Galena Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
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
Dwight
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Sherman, IL and Aurora, IL.
Start on Parkway Drive
At end of road, turn right onto IL 124
Turn left onto I 55 Business
Take the exit onto I 55 Business
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
Take the exit
Turn left onto IL 47
Turn right onto Walker Road
Turn left onto Ashley Road
At end of road, turn right onto IL 126
Turn left onto Minkler Road
Enter roundabout onto Minkler Road
Continue on Minkler Road
Continue on Orchard Road
Turn right onto US 34
Continue on IL 31
Continue on IL 31
Turn left onto West Galena Boulevard
Arrive at destination
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.
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 27m 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.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 82.6 mi from Sherman, IL · 1h 30m into the drive
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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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.
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.
Regular Gas
$25.81 one way
$51.62 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Sherman on Tuesday
Local time
11:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Aurora on Tuesday
Local time
11:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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