How far is Aurora, IL from Carthage, IL?
The driving distance from Aurora, IL to Carthage, IL is about 60.6 miles (97.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 52.3 miles (84.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 23m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Illinois, US
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Cloudy
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
37.4 mi · 40 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward IL 251: Rochelle, Mendota
2006 ft · 49 sec
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9
Turn right
1.4 mi · 2 min
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10
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
103 m · 10 sec · 4th Avenue
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11
Turn right onto North 6th Street
120 m · 9 sec · North 6th Street
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12
Turn right onto Lincoln Avenue
8 mi · 13 min · Lincoln Avenue
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13
Turn right onto South Chana Road
1.8 mi · 4 min · South Chana Road
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14
Turn left onto East Flagg Road
5.4 mi · 13 min · East Flagg Road
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Flagg Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Aurora and Carthage.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
37.4 mi · 00h 40m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Aurora and Mostly Cloudy 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 60.6 miles (97.5 km) and usually takes 01h 23m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Malta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 30.2 miles from Aurora and 30.4 miles from Carthage.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 52.3 miles (84.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:44 PM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.86 one way or $19.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Aurora and Mostly Cloudy near Carthage.
Stop Ideas Near Malta
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 Malta.
Rockford, Illinois
Plano
Mendota station
Naperville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Aurora and Carthage. Straight-line distance: 52.31 mi (84.18 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
Carthage is a place in Illinois, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 41.9189200, -89.3137100 |
| Altitude | 241 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carthage (-89.31371, 41.91892)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 98 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.61 | $9.86 | $19.72 |
| Mid-grade | $5.24 | $11.21 | $22.43 |
| Premium | $5.79 | $12.40 | $24.80 |
| Diesel | $6.59 | $14.11 | $28.21 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026