How far is Knoxville, IL from Aurora, IL?
The driving distance from Knoxville, IL to Aurora, IL is about 164.5 miles (264.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 117.7 miles (189.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 05m 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 32m.
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.
City in Whiteside County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Knoxville and Aurora.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville and Aurora.
-
1
Start on North Market Street
39 m · 8 sec · North Market Street
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2
Turn right onto West Main Street
1219 ft · 21 sec · West Main Street
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3
Turn right onto North Division Street
113 m · 10 sec · North Division Street
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4
Continue on Henderson Road
1.3 km · 2 min · Henderson Road
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5
Continue on Knox Highway 9
1486 ft · 46 sec · Knox Highway 9
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6
Take the ramp left toward I 74 West: Galesburg
1268 ft · 31 sec
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7
Merge slight left
36.7 mi · 39 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
6.3 mi · 7 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
116.7 mi · 2 hr 6 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward IL 31 East, IL 56 East
2953 ft · 1 min
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11
Turn right onto South Lincolnway Street
1904 ft · 53 sec · South Lincolnway Street
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12
Continue on North Lake Street
2.2 mi · 5 min · North Lake Street
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13
Turn right onto West Galena Boulevard
575 ft · 10 sec · West Galena Boulevard
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Galena Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Knoxville 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 88 East
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
117 mi · 02h 06m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Knoxville 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 Knoxville to Aurora?
The road trip is about 164.5 miles (264.8 km) and usually takes 02h 32m 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?
Sterling is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.1 miles from Knoxville and 82.3 miles from Aurora.
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 46.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:24 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.91 one way or $43.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Knoxville and Showers And Thunderstorms near Aurora.
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 Knoxville and Aurora. Straight-line distance: 117.71 mi (189.44 km).
#1 Knoxville
City in Knox County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 2,692 |
| Coordinates | 40.9083700, -90.2848500 |
| Altitude | 238 |
| 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: 265 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 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 | $21.91 | $43.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.71 | $49.42 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.04 | $54.08 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $30.82 | $61.63 |
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.