How far is Petersburg, IL from Aurora, IL?

The driving distance from Petersburg, IL to Aurora, IL is about 179.1 miles (288.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 144.8 miles (233.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 13m 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
179.1 mi
03h 06m
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 Petersburg.

Flight Distance

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

Driving Distance

Road route
179.1 mi
Kilometers
288.24 km
Drive Time
03h 06m

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 06m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Aurora
Sun, Apr 19, 8:37 AM CDT
Return by in Petersburg
Sun, Apr 19, 11:44 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Petersburg
2026-04-19T05:30
Arrive Aurora
Sun, Apr 19, 8:37 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 06m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:07 AM to 11:07 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
10:46 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Petersburg
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Lexington
IL

City in McLean County, Illinois, United States

From Petersburg
89 mi
01h 33m
To Aurora
90.1 mi
01h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
58°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 15 mph WNW
Destination
52°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South 6th Street

    1532 ft · 49 sec · South 6th Street

  2. 2

    Continue on South 6th Street

    734 ft · 21 sec · South 6th Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Old Salem Road

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Old Salem Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Athens Blacktop Road

    6.6 mi · 10 min · Athens Blacktop Road

  5. 5

    Continue on North Main Street

    1186 ft · 48 sec · North Main Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto East Hargrave Street

    2666 ft · 2 min · East Hargrave Street

  7. 7

    Continue on Springfield Road

    1789 ft · 1 min · Springfield Road

  8. 8

    At the end of the road, turn right

    1.5 mi · 2 min

  9. 9

    Turn left onto County Road 11 N

    3.6 mi · 6 min · County Road 11 N

  10. 10

    Continue on Dinius Road

    2.9 mi · 4 min · Dinius Road

  11. 11

    Continue on County Highway 2

    1748 ft · 34 sec · County Highway 2

  12. 12

    Take the ramp slight left

    2341 ft · 57 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    17.2 mi · 18 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago

    29.4 mi · 31 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

    63.6 mi · 1 hr 8 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 47: Morris, Dwight

    1853 ft · 35 sec

  17. 17

    Turn left

    32 mi · 39 min

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Walker Road

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Walker Road

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Ashley Road

    2.8 mi · 4 min · Ashley Road

  20. 20

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

    2391 ft · 46 sec · East Schoolhouse Road

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Minkler Road

    3.4 mi · 5 min · Minkler Road

  22. 22

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Minkler Road

    38 m · 4 sec · Minkler Road

  23. 23

    Exit the roundabout onto Minkler Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Minkler Road

  24. 24

    Continue on Orchard Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · Orchard Road

  25. 25

    Turn right

    1.2 mi · 2 min

  26. 26

    Continue straight

    2.5 mi · 4 min

  27. 27

    Continue straight

    3.4 mi · 6 min

  28. 28

    Turn left onto West Galena Boulevard

    575 ft · 10 sec · West Galena Boulevard

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Galena Boulevard

Car Route Details

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

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
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
92.9 mi · 52%
County Highway 2
17.9 mi · 10%
Athens Blacktop Road
6.63 mi · 4%
Orchard Road
6.58 mi · 4%
Minkler Road
4.29 mi · 2%
County Road 11 N
3.57 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 55 North

Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

63.6 mi · 01h 08m

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 06m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+34.3 mi
144.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lexington
01h 33m from Petersburg
Leave By
10:46 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Petersburg and Mostly Sunny near Aurora.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 179.1 miles (288.2 km) and usually takes 03h 06m 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 89 miles from Petersburg and 90.1 miles from Aurora.

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 34.3 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 10:46 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.83 one way or $47.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

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 Petersburg and Aurora. Straight-line distance: 144.81 mi (233.05 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Petersburg

City in Menard County, Illinois

Population2,190
Coordinates40.0117200, -89.8481700
Altitude156
CountryUnited States
Aurora

#2 Aurora

The second most populous city in Illinois.

Population196,383
Coordinates41.7605800, -88.3200700
Altitude207
CountryUnited States
Start: IL 97 (-89.848388, 40.011717)
End: West Galena Boulevard (-88.320111, 41.76053)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 288 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 58m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.32 gal
23.92 L · about $23.83
Round trip
$47.67
12.64 gal · 47.84 L
Estimated CO2
56.2 kg one way
Round trip: 112.3 kg / 248 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.83 $47.67
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.88 $53.76
Premium $4.65 $29.41 $58.83
Diesel $5.30 $33.52 $67.04

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 Petersburg and Aurora. The current time is 05:30:38.

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.