How far is Aurora, IL from Pekin, IL?
The driving distance from Aurora, IL to Pekin, IL is about 143.5 miles (231 km), with a travel time of about 02h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 107.3 miles (172.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 41m 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 50m.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Aurora and Pekin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aurora and Pekin.
-
1
Start on West Galena Boulevard
575 ft · 15 sec · West Galena Boulevard
-
2
Turn right onto South Lake Street
5.9 mi · 10 min · South Lake Street
-
3
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 2 min
-
4
Turn left onto Orchard Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Orchard Road
-
5
Continue on Minkler Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Minkler Road
-
6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Minkler Road
39 m · 4 sec · Minkler Road
-
7
Exit the roundabout onto Minkler Road
3.4 mi · 5 min · Minkler Road
-
8
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Schoolhouse Road
2391 ft · 47 sec · East Schoolhouse Road
-
9
Turn left onto Ashley Road
3.8 mi · 5 min · Ashley Road
-
10
Turn right onto Caton Farm Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Caton Farm Road
-
11
Turn left
7.2 mi · 10 min
-
12
Continue on North Bridge Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Bridge Street
-
13
Continue straight
22.1 mi · 26 min
-
14
Take the exit right toward I 55 South: Bloomington
1864 ft · 46 sec
-
15
Merge slight left
56 mi · 1 hr
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward I 74 West: Peoria
2888 ft · 49 sec
-
17
Continue straight
27.4 mi · 29 min
-
18
Keep slight left to continue on I 474 West: Moline, Rock Island
5.1 mi · 5 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward IL 29: Pekin, East Peoria
1906 ft · 52 sec
-
20
Turn left onto South Main Street
766 ft · 13 sec · South Main Street
-
21
Continue on Radio City Drive
2.1 mi · 3 min · Radio City Drive
-
22
Keep slight right to continue on Radio City Drive
1.5 mi · 2 min · Radio City Drive
-
23
Continue on North 8th Street
3002 ft · 51 sec · North 8th Street
-
24
Continue on North 5th Street
2473 ft · 47 sec · North 5th Street
-
25
Turn left onto Margaret Street
1057 ft · 18 sec · Margaret Street
-
26
Continue on Court Street
143 m · 15 sec · Court Street
-
27
Turn left onto South 8th Street
68 m · 4 sec · South 8th Street
-
28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 8th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Aurora and Pekin.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 55 South
Merge slight left
56 mi · 01h 00m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Aurora and Mostly Sunny near Pekin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Aurora to Pekin?
The road trip is about 143.5 miles (231 km) and usually takes 02h 50m 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?
Rooks Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.8 miles from Aurora and 71.8 miles from Pekin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 107.3 miles (172.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.2 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 12:48 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.12 one way or $38.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Aurora and Mostly Sunny near Pekin.
Stop Ideas Near Rooks Creek
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 Rooks Creek.
Pontiac station
Dwight station
Uptown Station
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Aurora and Pekin. Straight-line distance: 107.3 mi (172.68 km).
#1 Aurora
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 196,383 |
| Coordinates | 41.7605800, -88.3200700 |
| Altitude | 207 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Pekin
County seat of Tazewell County, Illinois
| Population | 31,808 |
| Coordinates | 40.5675400, -89.6406600 |
| Altitude | 153 |
| Country | United States |
End: Pekin (-89.64066, 40.56754)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 231 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $19.12 | $38.24 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $21.56 | $43.13 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $23.60 | $47.19 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $26.89 | $53.78 |
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.