How far is Aurora, IL from Empire, IL?
The driving distance from Aurora, IL to Empire, IL is about 122.5 miles (197.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 102.5 miles (165 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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 02h 36m.
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.
Township in Livingston County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Aurora and Empire.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aurora and Empire.
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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
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14
Take the exit right toward I 55 South: Bloomington
1864 ft · 46 sec
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15
Merge slight left
48.4 mi · 52 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Towanda
1442 ft · 27 sec
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17
Turn straight onto North 1900 East Road
2035 ft · 44 sec · North 1900 East Road
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18
Continue on North Jefferson Street
2706 ft · 1 min · North Jefferson Street
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19
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Hely Street
1225 ft · 35 sec · West Hely Street
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20
Continue on Towanda-Barnes Road
3 mi · 5 min · Towanda-Barnes Road
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21
Continue on North Towanda Barnes Road
6.8 mi · 11 min · North Towanda Barnes Road
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22
Turn left
2 mi · 3 min
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23
Turn right onto North Seminary Street
3190 ft · 1 min · North Seminary Street
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24
Continue on East 700 North Road
1886 ft · 44 sec · East 700 North Road
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25
Turn left onto I 74 East: Champaign
1420 ft · 35 sec
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26
Merge slight left
9 mi · 10 min
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27
Take the exit slight right toward US 136: Rantoul, Heyworth
1508 ft · 31 sec
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28
Turn left onto East 200 North Road
2295 ft · 37 sec · East 200 North Road
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29
Turn right onto East 150 North Road
1.1 mi · 4 min · East 150 North Road
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 150 North Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Aurora and Empire.
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
48.4 mi · 00h 52m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Aurora and Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Empire.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Aurora to Empire?
The road trip is about 122.5 miles (197.2 km) and usually takes 02h 36m 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?
Odell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.3 miles from Aurora and 61.3 miles from Empire.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 102.5 miles (165 km), while the road route adds roughly 20 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:16 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.29 one way or $32.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Aurora and Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Empire.
Stop Ideas Near Odell
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 Odell.
Dwight station
Pontiac station
Gilman
Kankakee
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Aurora and Empire. Straight-line distance: 102.54 mi (165.02 km).
#1 Aurora
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 196,383 |
| Coordinates | 41.7605800, -88.3200700 |
| Altitude | 207 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Empire
Township in McLean County, Illinois
| Population | 4,024 |
| Coordinates | 40.3055900, -88.7075700 |
| Altitude | 231 |
| Country | United States |
End: Empire (-88.70757, 40.30559)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 197 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.29 | $32.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.37 | $36.75 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.11 | $40.21 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $22.91 | $45.83 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.