How far is Aurora, IL from Petersburg, IL?

The driving distance from Aurora, IL to Petersburg, IL is about 177.5 miles (285.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 144.8 miles (233.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
177.53 mi
03h 33m
Flight
144.81 mi
233.05 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Aurora.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
144.81 mi
Kilometers
233.05 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
177.53 mi
Kilometers
285.71 km
Drive Time
03h 33m

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 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Petersburg
Sun, Apr 19, 10:28 AM CDT
Return by in Aurora
Sun, Apr 19, 2:02 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Aurora
2026-04-19T06:54
Arrive Petersburg
Sun, Apr 19, 10:28 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:34 AM to 11:34 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:52 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Aurora
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Lexington
IL

City in McLean County, Illinois, United States

From Aurora
88.7 mi
01h 46m
To Petersburg
88.8 mi
01h 46m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph WNW
Destination
58°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 15 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Aurora and Petersburg.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Aurora and Petersburg.

  1. 1

    Start on West Galena Boulevard

    575 ft · 15 sec · West Galena Boulevard

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Lake Street

    5.9 mi · 10 min · South Lake Street

  3. 3

    Continue straight

    1.2 mi · 2 min

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Orchard Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · Orchard Road

  5. 5

    Continue on Minkler Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Minkler Road

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Minkler Road

    39 m · 4 sec · Minkler Road

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout onto Minkler Road

    3.4 mi · 5 min · Minkler Road

  8. 8

    At the end of the road, turn right onto East Schoolhouse Road

    2391 ft · 47 sec · East Schoolhouse Road

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Ashley Road

    3.8 mi · 5 min · Ashley Road

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Caton Farm Road

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Caton Farm Road

  11. 11

    Turn left

    7.2 mi · 10 min

  12. 12

    Continue on North Bridge Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · North Bridge Street

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    22.1 mi · 26 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit right toward I 55 South: Bloomington

    1864 ft · 46 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    62.4 mi · 1 hr 7 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

    47.8 mi · 51 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 123: Williamsville

    1678 ft · 41 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight right

    112 m · 11 sec

  19. 19

    Turn straight onto County Highway 2

    644 ft · 12 sec · County Highway 2

  20. 20

    Continue on Dinius Road

    2.9 mi · 4 min · Dinius Road

  21. 21

    Continue on County Road 11 North

    3.6 mi · 6 min · County Road 11 North

  22. 22

    Turn right

    1.5 mi · 2 min

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Springfield Road

    1810 ft · 1 min · Springfield Road

  24. 24

    Continue on East Hargrave Street

    2666 ft · 2 min · East Hargrave Street

  25. 25

    At the end of the road, turn right onto North Main Street

    1186 ft · 42 sec · North Main Street

  26. 26

    Turn left onto Salem Road

    91 m · 9 sec · Salem Road

  27. 27

    Continue on Athens Blacktop Road

    6.6 mi · 10 min · Athens Blacktop Road

  28. 28

    Turn right

    2.2 mi · 4 min

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 6th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Aurora and Petersburg.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
29 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 South
111 mi · 62%
North Bridge Street
23.5 mi · 13%
South Lake Street
7.08 mi · 4%
Athens Blacktop Road
6.57 mi · 4%
Minkler Road
4.3 mi · 2%
Ashley Road
3.82 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 55 South

Merge slight left

62.4 mi · 01h 07m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 33m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+32.7 mi
144.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lexington
01h 46m from Aurora
Leave By
9:52 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Aurora and Sunny near Petersburg.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Aurora to Petersburg?

The road trip is about 177.5 miles (285.7 km) and usually takes 03h 33m 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?

Lexington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.7 miles from Aurora and 88.8 miles from Petersburg.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 144.8 miles (233.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.7 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 9:52 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.61 one way or $47.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Aurora and Sunny near Petersburg.

Stop Ideas Near Lexington

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Lexington and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 14.6 mi away

City Hall - Town of Normal

Normal , IL
11 Uptown Circle, Normal, IL 61761
Parking lot
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 14.3 mi away

Normal Town

Normal , IL
100 S Maple St, Normal, IL 61761
Rating 2.3/5 3 reviews Government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 13.4 mi away

El Paso City Water Works

El Paso , IL
301 W Front St, El Paso, IL 61738
Water utility company

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lexington.

RAIL

Uptown Station

22 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Pontiac station

29 mi away
721 West Washington St.
RAIL

Dwight station

58 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Rantoul

64 mi away
West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Aurora and Petersburg. Straight-line distance: 144.81 mi (233.05 km).

Aurora

#1 Aurora

The second most populous city in Illinois.

Population196,383
Coordinates41.7605800, -88.3200700
Altitude207
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Petersburg

City in Menard County, Illinois

Population2,190
Coordinates40.0117200, -89.8481700
Altitude156
CountryUnited States
Start: Aurora (-88.32007, 41.76058)
End: Petersburg (-89.84817, 40.01172)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 286 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.26 gal
23.71 L · about $23.61
Round trip
$47.21
12.52 gal · 47.42 L
Estimated CO2
55.6 kg one way
Round trip: 111.3 kg / 245 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.61 $47.21
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.62 $53.25
Premium $4.65 $29.13 $58.27
Diesel $5.30 $33.20 $66.41

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Aurora and Petersburg. The current time is 06:54:13.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.