How far is Aurora, IL from Bedford, IL?

The driving distance from Aurora, IL to Bedford, IL is about 249.2 miles (401.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 194.6 miles (313.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
249.2 mi
04h 59m
Flight
194.56 mi
313.11 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Aurora.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
194.56 mi
Kilometers
313.11 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
249.2 mi
Kilometers
401.05 km
Drive Time
04h 59m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 04h 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bedford
Tue, Apr 14, 3:16 PM CDT
Return by in Aurora
Tue, Apr 14, 8:15 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Aurora
2026-04-14T10:17
Arrive Bedford
Tue, Apr 14, 3:16 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:59 AM to 12:59 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:02 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Aurora
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
McLean
IL

Village in McLean County, Illinois, United States

From Aurora
124.5 mi
02h 29m
To Bedford
124.6 mi
02h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph SW
Destination
81°F
Tuesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 16 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Aurora and Bedford.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Aurora and Bedford.

  1. 1

    Start on West Galena Boulevard

    575 ft · 15 sec · West Galena Boulevard

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Lake Street

    5.9 mi · 10 min · South Lake Street

  3. 3

    Continue straight

    1.2 mi · 2 min

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Orchard Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · Orchard Road

  5. 5

    Continue on Minkler Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Minkler Road

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Minkler Road

    39 m · 4 sec · Minkler Road

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout onto Minkler Road

    3.4 mi · 5 min · Minkler Road

  8. 8

    At the end of the road, turn right onto East Schoolhouse Road

    2391 ft · 47 sec · East Schoolhouse Road

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Ashley Road

    3.8 mi · 5 min · Ashley Road

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Caton Farm Road

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Caton Farm Road

  11. 11

    Turn left

    7.2 mi · 10 min

  12. 12

    Continue on North Bridge Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · North Bridge Street

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    22.1 mi · 26 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit right toward I 55 South: Bloomington

    1864 ft · 46 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    62.4 mi · 1 hr 7 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

    64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville

    51.6 mi · 55 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 100: Bluffs, Detroit

    1604 ft · 40 sec

  19. 19

    Turn left

    27 m · 2 sec

  20. 20

    Turn left

    4 mi · 6 min

  21. 21

    At the end of the road, turn right

    5.6 mi · 8 min

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Illinois Route 100

    7.8 mi · 11 min · Illinois Route 100

  23. 23

    Turn left onto 865 North

    1.5 mi · 6 min · 865 North

  24. 24

    Continue on 874 North

    1.3 km · 3 min · 874 North

  25. 25

    Continue on Road 4000 East

    1.6 km · 4 min · Road 4000 East

  26. 26

    Continue on Road 886 North

    2252 ft · 2 min · Road 886 North

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Bedford Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Aurora and Bedford.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
27 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 South
128 mi · 51%
I 72 West
51.6 mi · 21%
North Bridge Street
23.5 mi · 9%
Illinois Route 100
7.8 mi · 3%
South Lake Street
7.08 mi · 3%
Minkler Road
4.3 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 55 South

Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

64.8 mi · 01h 10m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
04h 59m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+54.6 mi
194.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
McLean
02h 29m from Aurora
Leave By
7:02 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Aurora and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Bedford.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Aurora to Bedford?

The road trip is about 249.2 miles (401.1 km) and usually takes 04h 59m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

McLean is a useful midpoint, sitting about 124.5 miles from Aurora and 124.6 miles from Bedford.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 194.6 miles (313.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 54.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:02 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.15 one way or $66.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Aurora and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Bedford.

Stop Ideas Near McLean

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around McLean and the surrounding midpoint area.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
Scenic stop 3.9 mi away

Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!

Atlanta , IL
865 SW Arch St, Atlanta, IL 61723, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Tourist attraction
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 9.9 mi away

Dale Township Office

Bloomington , IL
8017 E 1100 North Rd, Bloomington, IL 61705
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to McLean.

RAIL

Lincoln

25 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
RAIL

Uptown Station

27 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
BUS

Peoria, Illinois

59 mi away
6100 West Everett M. Dirksen Parkway
RAIL

Springfield station

70 mi away
East Washington and North Third Sts.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Aurora and Bedford. Straight-line distance: 194.56 mi (313.11 km).

Aurora

#1 Aurora

The second most populous city in Illinois.

Population196,383
Coordinates41.7605800, -88.3200700
Altitude207
CountryUnited States
Bedford

#2 Bedford

Township in Wayne County, Illinois

Population1,021
Coordinates39.5292100, -90.5842900
Altitude134
CountryUnited States
Start: Aurora (-88.32007, 41.76058)
End: Bedford (-90.58429, 39.52921)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 401 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 06m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.79 gal
33.29 L · about $33.15
Round trip
$66.29
17.58 gal · 66.58 L
Estimated CO2
78.1 kg one way
Round trip: 156.2 kg / 344 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $33.15 $66.29
Mid-grade $4.25 $37.38 $74.77
Premium $4.65 $40.91 $81.82
Diesel $5.30 $46.62 $93.24

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Illinois · Apr 14, 2026

There is no time difference between Aurora and Bedford. The current time is 10:17:45.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.