How far is Aurora, IL from Central City, IL?
The driving distance from Aurora, IL to Central City, IL is about 251.7 miles (405.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 225.9 miles (363.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 18m 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 05h 09m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Aurora and Central City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aurora and Central City.
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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
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4
Turn left onto Orchard Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Orchard Road
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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
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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
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15
Merge slight left
62.4 mi · 1 hr 7 min
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
2.1 mi · 2 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Decatur, Bloomington
1616 ft · 40 sec
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18
Continue on North 1450 East Road
14.7 mi · 18 min · North 1450 East Road
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19
Continue on North Walnut Street
23.2 mi · 30 min · North Walnut Street
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20
Turn straight
9.9 mi · 15 min
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21
Take the ramp straight toward South Business Route 51
19.6 mi · 24 min · South Business Route 51
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22
Continue on North 2600 East Rd
7.9 mi · 9 min · North 2600 East Rd
-
23
Turn right onto North 2600 East Road
1.6 km · 2 min · North 2600 East Road
-
24
Continue on Jackson Street
2668 ft · 2 min · Jackson Street
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25
Turn left onto Cedar Street
142 m · 8 sec · Cedar Street
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26
Turn right onto East 1st Street
2150 ft · 1 min · East 1st Street
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27
Turn left onto South Poplar Street
2138 ft · 30 sec · South Poplar Street
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28
Turn straight onto Fair Avenue
3070 ft · 2 min · Fair Avenue
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29
Continue on County Road 2400 E
2 mi · 3 min · County Road 2400 E
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30
Continue on 300 East Road
15.1 mi · 17 min · 300 East Road
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31
Continue on County Road 875 East
11.1 mi · 13 min · County Road 875 East
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32
Continue on North Kennedy Boulevard
1.5 mi · 2 min · North Kennedy Boulevard
-
33
Turn left onto West Gallatin Street
2405 ft · 34 sec · West Gallatin Street
-
34
Turn right
554 ft · 7 sec
-
35
Continue on United States Highway 51
13.4 mi · 15 min · United States Highway 51
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36
Continue on 250E
10.4 mi · 12 min · 250E
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37
Continue on North Mine Street
135 m · 6 sec · North Mine Street
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38
Continue on N Mine St
990 ft · 13 sec · N Mine St
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39
Continue on North Mine Street
3231 ft · 54 sec · North Mine Street
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40
Continue on County Road 180 E
4.4 mi · 6 min · County Road 180 E
-
41
Continue on North Commercial Street
988 ft · 23 sec · North Commercial Street
-
42
Turn left onto Hardin Street
82 m · 12 sec · Hardin Street
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43
Continue on East Hardin
677 ft · 32 sec · East Hardin
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44
Turn right onto North Harrison Street
23 m · 3 sec · North Harrison Street
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45
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Harrison Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Aurora and Central City.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 55 South
Merge slight left
62.4 mi · 01h 07m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Aurora and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny near Central City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Aurora to Central City?
The road trip is about 251.7 miles (405.1 km) and usually takes 05h 09m 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?
Wapella is a useful midpoint, sitting about 126 miles from Aurora and 125.8 miles from Central City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 225.9 miles (363.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.8 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 6:42 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.49 one way or $66.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Aurora and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny near Central City.
Stop Ideas Near Wapella
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Creek Town Hall
Clinton City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Wapella.
Uptown Station
Lincoln
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Aurora and Central City. Straight-line distance: 225.96 mi (363.64 km).
#1 Aurora
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 196,383 |
| Coordinates | 41.7605800, -88.3200700 |
| Altitude | 207 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Central City
City in Illinois, USA
| Population | 1,107 |
| Coordinates | 38.5489400, -89.1270100 |
| Altitude | 148 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central City (-89.12701, 38.54894)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 405 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.49 | $66.97 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.77 | $75.53 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.33 | $82.66 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $47.10 | $94.20 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.