How far is Aurora, IL from Carthage, IL?
The driving distance from Aurora, IL to Carthage, IL is about 236.7 miles (380.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 173.5 miles (279.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 04m 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 32m.
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 Henry County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Aurora and Carthage.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aurora and Carthage.
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1
Start on West Galena Boulevard
575 ft · 15 sec · West Galena Boulevard
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2
Turn left onto North Lake Street
2.2 mi · 4 min · North Lake Street
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3
Continue on South Lincolnway Street
1885 ft · 39 sec · South Lincolnway Street
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4
Take the ramp left toward I 88 West Toll, IL 56 West Toll: Chicago, Dekalb-Iowa
118 m · 10 sec
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 88 West, IL 56 West: DeKalb-Iowa
3054 ft · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
2.8 mi · 3 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
69.5 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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8
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
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9
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
37.8 mi · 40 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
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10
Continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
5.4 mi · 6 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 80: Peoria
7.1 mi · 8 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
31.3 mi · 34 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 34 West: Monmouth
49.6 mi · 59 min
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14
Continue on East 1200th Street
1.2 mi · 1 min · East 1200th Street
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15
Continue on North Lafayette Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · North Lafayette Street
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16
Turn right onto West Calhoun Street
929 ft · 27 sec · West Calhoun Street
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17
Continue on North Johnson Street
121 m · 11 sec · North Johnson Street
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18
Turn right onto West Jackson Street
6.2 mi · 10 min · West Jackson Street
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19
Continue on Macomb Street
2971 ft · 50 sec · Macomb Street
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20
Continue on East North Street
1 km · 56 sec · East North Street
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21
Continue on East Campbell Street
3.1 mi · 5 min · East Campbell Street
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22
Turn right onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
13.6 mi · 16 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward US 136 West, IL 94 North: Carthage, Keokuk
1.6 mi · 3 min
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24
Turn right onto North Madison Street
19 m · 1 sec · North Madison Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Madison Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Aurora and Carthage.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
69.5 mi · 01h 14m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Aurora and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carthage.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Aurora to Carthage?
The road trip is about 236.7 miles (380.9 km) and usually takes 04h 32m 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?
Cleveland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 118.2 miles from Aurora and 118.4 miles from Carthage.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 173.5 miles (279.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 63.2 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 7:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.49 one way or $62.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Aurora and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carthage.
Stop Ideas Near Cleveland
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Cleveland.
Moline, Illinois
Rock Island, IL
Davenport, Iowa
Kewanee
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Aurora and Carthage. Straight-line distance: 173.57 mi (279.34 km).
#1 Aurora
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 196,383 |
| Coordinates | 41.7605800, -88.3200700 |
| Altitude | 207 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Carthage
City in and county seat of Hancock County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 2,419 |
| Coordinates | 40.4164300, -91.1362500 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carthage (-91.13625, 40.41643)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 381 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $31.49 | $62.98 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $35.51 | $71.03 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $38.86 | $77.72 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $44.29 | $88.58 |
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 · Jul 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.