How far is Aurora, IL from Knox, IL?
The driving distance from Aurora, IL to Knox, IL is about 168.8 miles (271.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 115.5 miles (185.8 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.
Township in Livingston County, 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 Knox.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aurora and Knox.
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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
39.4 mi · 42 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 150, IL 97: Lewistown
1112 ft · 27 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on US 150 East: Brimfield
32 m · 3 sec
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15
Turn straight onto US 150 / IL 97
1302 ft · 20 sec · US 150 / IL 97
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16
Continue on Knox Road 1020 East
1.4 mi · 5 min · Knox Road 1020 East
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17
Turn left onto Mine Road
2682 ft · 2 min · Mine Road
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18
Turn right onto Knox Station Road
45 m · 7 sec · Knox Station Road
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Knox Station Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Aurora and Knox.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Aurora and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Knox.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Aurora to Knox?
The road trip is about 168.8 miles (271.6 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?
Round Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.3 miles from Aurora and 84.4 miles from Knox.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 115.5 miles (185.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.3 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 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 $22.44 one way or $44.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.9 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 Knox.
Stop Ideas Near Round Grove
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 Round Grove.
Princeton
Kewanee
Moline, Illinois
Rock Island, IL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Aurora and Knox. Straight-line distance: 115.46 mi (185.81 km).
#1 Aurora
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 196,383 |
| Coordinates | 41.7605800, -88.3200700 |
| Altitude | 207 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Knox
County seat of Knox County, Tennessee, United States; third-largest city in Tennessee
| Population | 2,692 |
| Coordinates | 40.9342000, -90.2548500 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| Country | United States |
End: Knox (-90.25485, 40.9342)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 272 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.44 | $44.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.31 | $50.61 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.69 | $55.38 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.56 | $63.12 |
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.