How far is Pontiac, IL from Aurora, IL?

The driving distance from Pontiac, IL to Aurora, IL is about 269.2 miles (433.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 20m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 236.2 miles (380.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 40m 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
269.15 mi
04h 20m
Flight
236.2 mi
380.13 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Pontiac.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
236.2 mi
Kilometers
380.13 km
Flight Time
00h 28m

Driving Distance

Road route
269.15 mi
Kilometers
433.16 km
Drive Time
04h 20m

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 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Aurora
Sun, Apr 19, 3:56 AM CDT
Return by in Pontiac
Sun, Apr 19, 8:17 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Pontiac
2026-04-18T23:36
Arrive Aurora
Sun, Apr 19, 3:56 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:20 AM to 12:20 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:20 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Pontiac
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
Atlanta
IL

City in Logan County, Illinois, United States

From Pontiac
131.6 mi
02h 10m
To Aurora
137.6 mi
02h 10m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
61°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph NW
Destination
64°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    4 m · 3 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Illinois Street

    4.7 mi · 7 min · North Illinois Street

  3. 3

    Continue on South Morrison Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · South Morrison Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on Vandalia Street

    2.8 mi · 5 min · Vandalia Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North, I 70 East

    2235 ft · 55 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    3.8 mi · 4 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City

    107.9 mi · 1 hr 57 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago

    29.4 mi · 31 min

  9. 9

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

    63.6 mi · 1 hr 8 min

  10. 10

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

    1853 ft · 35 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left

    32 mi · 39 min

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Walker Road

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Walker Road

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Ashley Road

    2.8 mi · 4 min · Ashley Road

  14. 14

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

    2391 ft · 46 sec · East Schoolhouse Road

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Minkler Road

    3.4 mi · 5 min · Minkler Road

  16. 16

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Minkler Road

    38 m · 4 sec · Minkler Road

  17. 17

    Exit the roundabout onto Minkler Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Minkler Road

  18. 18

    Continue on Orchard Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · Orchard Road

  19. 19

    Turn right

    1.2 mi · 2 min

  20. 20

    Continue straight

    2.5 mi · 4 min

  21. 21

    Continue straight

    3.4 mi · 6 min

  22. 22

    Turn left onto West Galena Boulevard

    575 ft · 10 sec · West Galena Boulevard

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Galena Boulevard

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Pontiac 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
23 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
205 mi · 76%
Orchard Road
6.58 mi · 2%
North Illinois Street
4.69 mi · 2%
Minkler Road
4.29 mi · 2%
Ashley Road
2.8 mi · 1%
Vandalia Street
2.76 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 55 North

Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City

108 mi · 01h 57m

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
04h 20m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+33 mi
236.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Atlanta
02h 10m from Pontiac
Leave By
8:20 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Pontiac 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 Pontiac to Aurora?

The road trip is about 269.2 miles (433.2 km) and usually takes 04h 20m 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?

Atlanta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 131.6 miles from Pontiac and 137.6 miles from Aurora.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 236.2 miles (380.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 33 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 8:20 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.82 one way or $71.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Pontiac and Showers And Thunderstorms near Aurora.

Stop Ideas Near Atlanta

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 Atlanta and the surrounding midpoint area.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
Scenic stop 2.5 mi away

Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!

Atlanta , IL
865 SW Arch St, Atlanta, IL 61723, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Tourist attraction
City of Lincoln
Meeting point 8.5 mi away

City of Lincoln

Lincoln , IL
700 Broadway St, Lincoln, IL 62656
Rating 3.8/5 4 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Atlanta.

RAIL

Lincoln

17 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
RAIL

Uptown Station

35 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
BUS

Peoria, Illinois

60 mi away
6100 West Everett M. Dirksen Parkway
RAIL

Springfield station

62 mi away
East Washington and North Third Sts.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Pontiac and Aurora. Straight-line distance: 236.2 mi (380.13 km).

Pontiac

#1 Pontiac

City in Illinois, USA

Population11,176
Coordinates38.5872700, -89.9848300
Altitude176
CountryUnited States
Aurora

#2 Aurora

The second most populous city in Illinois.

Population196,383
Coordinates41.7605800, -88.3200700
Altitude207
CountryUnited States
Start: North Illinois Street (-89.984873, 38.58727)
End: West Galena Boulevard (-88.320111, 41.76053)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 433 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 58m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 22m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.5 gal
35.95 L · about $35.82
Round trip
$71.65
19 gal · 71.9 L
Estimated CO2
84.4 kg one way
Round trip: 168.9 kg / 372 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $35.82 $71.65
Mid-grade $4.25 $40.40 $80.81
Premium $4.65 $44.21 $88.43
Diesel $5.30 $50.39 $100.78

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 Pontiac and Aurora. The current time is 23:36:27.

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.