How far is Aurora, IL from Knoxville, IL?
The driving distance from Aurora, IL to Knoxville, IL is about 165.2 miles (265.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 117.7 miles (189.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 04m 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 02m.
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.
City in Whiteside County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Aurora and Knoxville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aurora and Knoxville.
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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
36.7 mi · 39 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Knoxville
1768 ft · 44 sec
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14
Turn right onto Knox Highway 9
110 m · 10 sec · Knox Highway 9
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15
Continue on Henderson Road
1.3 km · 2 min · Henderson Road
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16
Continue on North Division Street
113 m · 13 sec · North Division Street
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17
Turn left onto West Main Street
1219 ft · 26 sec · West Main Street
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18
Turn left onto North Market Street
39 m · 6 sec · North Market Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Aurora and Knoxville.
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
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Aurora and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Knoxville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Aurora to Knoxville?
The road trip is about 165.2 miles (265.8 km) and usually takes 03h 02m 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?
Sterling is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.5 miles from Aurora and 82.6 miles from Knoxville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 117.7 miles (189.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.5 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 10:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.98 one way or $43.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Aurora and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Knoxville.
Stop Ideas Near Sterling
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 Sterling.
Princeton
Mendota station
Kewanee
Moline, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Aurora and Knoxville. Straight-line distance: 117.71 mi (189.44 km).
#1 Aurora
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 196,383 |
| Coordinates | 41.7605800, -88.3200700 |
| Altitude | 207 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Knoxville
City in Knox County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 2,692 |
| Coordinates | 40.9083700, -90.2848500 |
| Altitude | 238 |
| Country | United States |
End: Knoxville (-90.28485, 40.90837)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 266 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.98 | $43.97 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.79 | $49.59 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.13 | $54.27 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $30.92 | $61.84 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.