How far is Aurora, IL from Galena, IL?
The driving distance from Aurora, IL to Galena, IL is about 146.9 miles (236.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 117.3 miles (188.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 20m 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 03h 10m.
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.
The second most populous city in Illinois.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Aurora and Galena.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aurora and Galena.
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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
34.8 mi · 37 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 39 North, US 51 North: Rockford
1.1 km · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left
21.1 mi · 23 min
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10
Take the exit slight left toward US 20 West: Freeport, Rockford
1.1 mi · 2 min
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11
Merge slight left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
28.9 mi · 33 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 BUS: Freeport
3.6 mi · 6 min
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13
Turn slight right onto South Galena Avenue
7.3 mi · 13 min · South Galena Avenue
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14
Turn left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
14.5 mi · 20 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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15
Continue on East North Avenue
2.1 mi · 4 min · East North Avenue
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16
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
6.4 mi · 9 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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17
Continue on East Woodbine Street
2853 ft · 1 min · East Woodbine Street
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18
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
4.6 mi · 7 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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19
Continue on South Main Street
2099 ft · 1 min · South Main Street
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20
Turn straight onto Diagonal Street
639 ft · 21 sec · Diagonal Street
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21
Continue on West Madison Street
1.2 km · 2 min · West Madison Street
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22
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
12.8 mi · 18 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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23
Continue on Decatur Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Decatur Street
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24
Take the exit right
24 m · 4 sec
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25
Turn right onto South Main Street
2174 ft · 2 min · South Main Street
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26
Turn left onto Hill Street
77 m · 17 sec · Hill Street
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27
Turn left onto South Bench Street
16 m · 2 sec · South Bench Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Bench Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Aurora and Galena.
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
34.8 mi · 00h 37m
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 Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Galena.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Aurora to Galena?
The road trip is about 146.9 miles (236.4 km) and usually takes 03h 10m 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?
Rockford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.3 miles from Aurora and 73.6 miles from Galena.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 117.3 miles (188.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.6 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 10:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.53 one way or $39.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Aurora and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Galena.
Stop Ideas Near Rockford
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 Rockford.
Rockford, Illinois
South Beloit, Illinois
Janesville, Wisconsin
Mendota station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Aurora and Galena. Straight-line distance: 117.25 mi (188.69 km).
#1 Aurora
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 196,383 |
| Coordinates | 41.7605800, -88.3200700 |
| Altitude | 207 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Galena
County seat of Jo Daviess County, Illinois
| Population | 3,151 |
| Coordinates | 42.4166700, -90.4290200 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
End: Galena (-90.42902, 42.41667)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 236 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $19.53 | $39.07 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $22.03 | $44.06 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $24.11 | $48.22 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $27.47 | $54.95 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.