How far is Brighton, IL from Aurora, IL?
The driving distance from Brighton, IL to Aurora, IL is about 249.1 miles (400.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 211 miles (339.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 29m 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 04h 14m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Village in McLean County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Brighton and Aurora.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brighton and Aurora.
-
1
Start on North Market Street
104 m · 12 sec · North Market Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Main Street
42 m · 6 sec · South Main Street
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3
Continue on North Main Street
5.3 mi · 8 min · North Main Street
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4
Turn right
10.2 mi · 15 min
-
5
Turn left
16.8 mi · 25 min
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6
Continue on County Road 1200 N
115 m · 24 sec · County Road 1200 N
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7
Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North: Springfield
2042 ft · 50 sec
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8
Merge slight left
73.9 mi · 1 hr 20 min
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
63.6 mi · 1 hr 8 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward IL 47: Morris, Dwight
1853 ft · 35 sec
-
12
Turn left
32 mi · 39 min
-
13
Turn right onto Walker Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Walker Road
-
14
Turn left onto Ashley Road
2.8 mi · 4 min · Ashley Road
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15
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Schoolhouse Road
2391 ft · 46 sec · East Schoolhouse Road
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16
Turn left onto Minkler Road
3.4 mi · 5 min · Minkler Road
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Minkler Road
38 m · 4 sec · Minkler Road
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18
Exit the roundabout onto Minkler Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Minkler Road
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19
Continue on Orchard Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Orchard Road
-
20
Turn right
1.2 mi · 2 min
-
21
Continue straight
2.5 mi · 4 min
-
22
Continue straight
3.4 mi · 6 min
-
23
Turn left onto West Galena Boulevard
575 ft · 10 sec · West Galena Boulevard
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Galena Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Brighton and Aurora.
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 North
Merge slight left
73.9 mi · 01h 20m
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 Brighton and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Aurora.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Brighton to Aurora?
The road trip is about 249.1 miles (400.9 km) and usually takes 04h 14m 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?
McLean is a useful midpoint, sitting about 124.5 miles from Brighton and 124.6 miles from Aurora.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 211 miles (339.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.1 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 8:30 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.15 one way or $66.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Brighton and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Aurora.
Stop Ideas Near McLean
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to McLean.
Lincoln
Uptown Station
Peoria, Illinois
Springfield station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Brighton and Aurora. Straight-line distance: 210.97 mi (339.53 km).
#1 Brighton
Village in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,967 |
| Coordinates | 39.0397700, -90.1406600 |
| Altitude | 202 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Aurora
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 196,383 |
| Coordinates | 41.7605800, -88.3200700 |
| Altitude | 207 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Galena Boulevard (-88.320111, 41.76053)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 401 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.15 | $66.29 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.38 | $74.77 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.91 | $81.82 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.62 | $93.24 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.