How far is Aurora, IL from Brighton, IL?
The driving distance from Aurora, IL to Brighton, IL is about 248.5 miles (399.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 211 miles (339.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 54m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Village in McLean County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Aurora and Brighton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aurora and Brighton.
-
1
Start on West Galena Boulevard
575 ft · 15 sec · West Galena Boulevard
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2
Turn right onto South Lake Street
5.9 mi · 10 min · South Lake Street
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3
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 2 min
-
4
Turn left onto Orchard Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Orchard Road
-
5
Continue on Minkler Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Minkler Road
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Minkler Road
39 m · 4 sec · Minkler Road
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7
Exit the roundabout onto Minkler Road
3.4 mi · 5 min · Minkler Road
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8
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Schoolhouse Road
2391 ft · 47 sec · East Schoolhouse Road
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9
Turn left onto Ashley Road
3.8 mi · 5 min · Ashley Road
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10
Turn right onto Caton Farm Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Caton Farm Road
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11
Turn left
7.2 mi · 10 min
-
12
Continue on North Bridge Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Bridge Street
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13
Continue straight
22.1 mi · 26 min
-
14
Take the exit right toward I 55 South: Bloomington
1864 ft · 46 sec
-
15
Merge slight left
62.4 mi · 1 hr 7 min
-
16
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min
-
17
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
39.7 mi · 43 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward IL 16: Gillespie, Litchfield
2998 ft · 57 sec
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19
Turn straight onto County Road 1200 North
8.4 mi · 12 min · County Road 1200 North
-
20
Turn right onto Broadway Street
8 mi · 12 min · Broadway Street
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21
Turn right onto 8000N
4.4 mi · 6 min · 8000N
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22
Continue on East Railroad Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · East Railroad Street
-
23
Continue on 8000N
4.7 mi · 7 min · 8000N
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24
Turn left onto Main Street
4.9 mi · 7 min · Main Street
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25
Continue on North Main Street
1966 ft · 60 sec · North Main Street
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26
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Main Street
42 m · 9 sec · South Main Street
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27
Turn left onto North Market Street
104 m · 9 sec · North Market Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Aurora and Brighton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Aurora and Mostly Sunny near Brighton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Aurora to Brighton?
The road trip is about 248.5 miles (399.9 km) and usually takes 04h 54m 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 124.3 miles from Aurora and 124.2 miles from Brighton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 211 miles (339.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.5 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 7:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.07 one way or $66.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Aurora and Mostly Sunny near Brighton.
Stop Ideas Near McLean
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to McLean.
Lincoln
Uptown Station
Peoria, Illinois
Springfield station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Aurora and Brighton. Straight-line distance: 210.97 mi (339.53 km).
#1 Aurora
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 196,383 |
| Coordinates | 41.7605800, -88.3200700 |
| Altitude | 207 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Brighton
Village in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,967 |
| Coordinates | 39.0397700, -90.1406600 |
| Altitude | 202 |
| Country | United States |
End: Brighton (-90.14066, 39.03977)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 400 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.07 | $66.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.30 | $74.60 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.82 | $81.63 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.52 | $93.03 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.