How far is Monticello, IL from Aurora, IL?
The driving distance from Monticello, IL to Aurora, IL is about 178 miles (286.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 120.4 miles (193.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 33m 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 46m.
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 Clear
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Monticello and Aurora.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monticello and Aurora.
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1
Start on West Center Street
1064 ft · 21 sec · West Center Street
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2
Continue on West Bridge Street
1236 ft · 25 sec · West Bridge Street
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3
Continue on West Center Street
3239 ft · 1 min · West Center Street
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4
Continue on West Brige Street
569 ft · 11 sec · West Brige Street
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5
Continue on West Bridge Street
2650 ft · 51 sec · West Bridge Street
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6
Continue on East 1700 North Road
1223 ft · 19 sec · East 1700 North Road
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7
Turn straight
1.1 mi · 2 min
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8
Continue on Deland Monticello Road
3202 ft · 50 sec · Deland Monticello Road
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9
Continue on County Highway 5
3.1 mi · 4 min · County Highway 5
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10
Turn straight onto North 525 East Road
1.7 mi · 2 min · North 525 East Road
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11
Continue on South Highway Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · South Highway Avenue
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12
At the end of the road, turn right onto County Road 2300 North
1324 ft · 32 sec · County Road 2300 North
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13
Turn left onto North 550 East Road
1 mi · 1 min · North 550 East Road
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14
Continue on North 525 East Road
3.1 mi · 4 min · North 525 East Road
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15
Continue on County Highway 5
1.2 km · 1 min · County Highway 5
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16
Continue on Royal Road
2.9 mi · 4 min · Royal Road
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17
Continue on Main Street
1576 ft · 46 sec · Main Street
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18
Turn right onto East Clinton Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · East Clinton Avenue
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19
Turn left onto I 74 West: Bloomington
1438 ft · 35 sec
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20
Merge slight left
16 mi · 17 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward Downs
1174 ft · 25 sec
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22
Turn right onto East 700 North Road
140 m · 11 sec · East 700 North Road
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23
Continue on South Seminary Street
1 km · 2 min · South Seminary Street
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24
At the end of the road, turn left
2 mi · 3 min
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25
Turn right onto Towanda Barnes Road
6.8 mi · 11 min · Towanda Barnes Road
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26
Continue on Towanda-Barnes Road
3 mi · 5 min · Towanda-Barnes Road
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27
Continue on West Hely Street
1225 ft · 40 sec · West Hely Street
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28
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
2706 ft · 1 min · South Jefferson Street
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29
Continue on North 1900 East Road
709 ft · 15 sec · North 1900 East Road
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30
Take the ramp right toward I 55 North: Joliet
1857 ft · 45 sec
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31
Merge slight left
48.3 mi · 52 min
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32
Take the exit slight right toward IL 47: Morris, Dwight
1853 ft · 35 sec
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33
Turn left
32 mi · 39 min
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34
Turn right onto Walker Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Walker Road
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35
Turn left onto Ashley Road
2.8 mi · 4 min · Ashley Road
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36
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Schoolhouse Road
2391 ft · 46 sec · East Schoolhouse Road
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37
Turn left onto Minkler Road
3.4 mi · 5 min · Minkler Road
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38
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Minkler Road
38 m · 4 sec · Minkler Road
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39
Exit the roundabout onto Minkler Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Minkler Road
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40
Continue on Orchard Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Orchard Road
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41
Turn right
1.2 mi · 2 min
-
42
Continue straight
2.5 mi · 4 min
-
43
Continue straight
3.4 mi · 6 min
-
44
Turn left onto West Galena Boulevard
575 ft · 10 sec · West Galena Boulevard
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45
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Galena Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Monticello and Aurora.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 55 North
Merge slight left
48.3 mi · 00h 52m
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 Clear leaving Monticello and Partly Sunny near Aurora.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Monticello to Aurora?
The road trip is about 178 miles (286.5 km) and usually takes 02h 46m 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 73.3 miles from Monticello and 104.6 miles from Aurora.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 120.4 miles (193.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 57.6 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 12:56 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.68 one way or $47.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Monticello and Partly Sunny near Aurora.
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 Monticello and Aurora. Straight-line distance: 120.45 mi (193.85 km).
#1 Monticello
City in Piatt County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 5,557 |
| Coordinates | 40.0278100, -88.5734000 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| 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: 286 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.68 | $47.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.71 | $53.42 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.23 | $58.45 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.31 | $66.62 |
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 · Jun 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.