How far is Carbondale, IL from Aurora, IL?
The driving distance from Carbondale, IL to Aurora, IL is about 356.5 miles (573.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 282.7 miles (455 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 59m 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 05h 29m.
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 Douglas County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carbondale and Aurora.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carbondale and Aurora.
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1
Start on East Main Street
539 ft · 21 sec · East Main Street
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2
Turn left onto South University Avenue
721 ft · 17 sec · South University Avenue
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3
Turn left onto West Walnut Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · West Walnut Street
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4
Continue on East Main Street
9.7 mi · 14 min · East Main Street
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5
Continue on West Deyoung Street
3.3 mi · 4 min · West Deyoung Street
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6
Take the exit slight left
1.2 mi · 3 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Ken Gray Expressway
41.3 mi · 45 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
67.5 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
144.3 mi · 2 hr 35 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 45, US 52: Kankakee
1575 ft · 54 sec
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11
Keep slight right
83 m · 9 sec
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12
Turn straight onto South Schuyler Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · South Schuyler Avenue
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13
Turn left onto South East Avenue
2892 ft · 49 sec · South East Avenue
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14
Turn slight left onto West Water Street
2254 ft · 44 sec · West Water Street
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15
Turn right onto South Wall Street
1.1 km · 1 min · South Wall Street
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16
Continue on North Wall Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Wall Street
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17
Continue on County Road North 303 West
8.9 mi · 16 min · County Road North 303 West
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18
Continue on State Route 113
7.7 mi · 11 min · State Route 113
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19
Turn right onto West River Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · West River Road
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20
Turn left onto West Baltimore Street
78 m · 9 sec · West Baltimore Street
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21
Turn right onto Stripmine Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · Stripmine Road
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22
Turn right onto Washington Street
2136 ft · 33 sec · Washington Street
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23
Take the ramp straight
2274 ft · 55 sec
-
24
Merge slight right
18.6 mi · 21 min
-
25
Take the exit slight right toward US 30: Joliet, Aurora
1777 ft · 40 sec
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26
Keep slight left
41 m · 5 sec
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27
Turn left onto Joliet Road
2.5 mi · 5 min · Joliet Road
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28
Turn slight right onto North Division Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · North Division Street
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29
Turn left onto 143rd Street
1.6 km · 2 min · 143rd Street
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30
Turn right onto Lincoln Highway
7.5 mi · 11 min · Lincoln Highway
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31
Continue on Hill Avenue
2.4 mi · 4 min · Hill Avenue
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32
Continue on East Galena Boulevard
612 ft · 21 sec · East Galena Boulevard
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33
Turn right onto North Ohio Street
741 ft · 21 sec · North Ohio Street
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34
Turn left onto East New York Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · East New York Street
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35
Turn left onto North Lake Street
127 m · 15 sec · North Lake Street
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36
Turn right onto West Galena Boulevard
575 ft · 10 sec · West Galena Boulevard
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37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Galena Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carbondale and Aurora.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 57 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
144 mi · 02h 35m
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 Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Carbondale and 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 Carbondale to Aurora?
The road trip is about 356.5 miles (573.8 km) and usually takes 05h 29m 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?
Arcola is a useful midpoint, sitting about 166 miles from Carbondale and 190.5 miles from Aurora.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 282.7 miles (455 km), while the road route adds roughly 73.8 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 6:00 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $47.44 one way or $94.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 111.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Carbondale and Showers And Thunderstorms near Aurora.
Stop Ideas Near Arcola
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 Arcola.
Mattoon station
Illinois Terminal
Effingham
Rantoul
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carbondale and Aurora. Straight-line distance: 282.71 mi (454.98 km).
#1 Carbondale
City in Illinois, USA
| Population | 25,036 |
| Coordinates | 37.7272700, -89.2167500 |
| Altitude | 126 |
| 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: 574 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $47.44 | $94.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $53.50 | $107.01 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $58.55 | $117.09 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $66.72 | $133.45 |
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.