How far is South Pekin, IL from Aurora, IL?
The driving distance from South Pekin, IL to Aurora, IL is about 143.5 miles (230.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 111.6 miles (179.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 17m 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 38m.
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 Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Pekin and Aurora.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Pekin and Aurora.
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1
Start on East Main Street
1 km · 2 min · East Main Street
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2
Turn right
5.5 mi · 10 min
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3
Turn slight right onto IL 29
51 m · 6 sec
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4
Turn slight right onto Margaret Street
1266 ft · 27 sec · Margaret Street
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5
Turn left onto North 5th Street
2478 ft · 42 sec · North 5th Street
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6
Continue on North 8th Street
3002 ft · 51 sec · North 8th Street
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7
Continue on Radio City Drive
3.5 mi · 5 min · Radio City Drive
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8
Take the ramp slight right
2974 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left
4.8 mi · 5 min
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10
Merge slight left
27 mi · 29 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
1.4 mi · 3 min
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12
Merge slight left
56.4 mi · 1 hr
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13
Take the exit slight right toward IL 47: Morris, Dwight
1853 ft · 35 sec
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14
Turn left
32 mi · 39 min
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15
Turn right onto Walker Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Walker Road
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16
Turn left onto Ashley Road
2.8 mi · 4 min · Ashley Road
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17
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Schoolhouse Road
2391 ft · 46 sec · East Schoolhouse Road
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18
Turn left onto Minkler Road
3.4 mi · 5 min · Minkler Road
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Minkler Road
38 m · 4 sec · Minkler Road
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20
Exit the roundabout onto Minkler Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Minkler Road
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21
Continue on Orchard Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Orchard Road
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22
Turn right
1.2 mi · 2 min
-
23
Continue straight
2.5 mi · 4 min
-
24
Continue straight
3.4 mi · 6 min
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25
Turn left onto West Galena Boulevard
575 ft · 10 sec · West Galena Boulevard
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Galena Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Pekin 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
56.4 mi · 01h 00m
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 Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving South Pekin and Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Aurora.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from South Pekin to Aurora?
The road trip is about 143.5 miles (230.9 km) and usually takes 02h 38m 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 75.2 miles from South Pekin and 68.3 miles from Aurora.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 111.6 miles (179.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.9 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 1:12 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.08 one way or $38.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around South Pekin and Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 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 South Pekin and Aurora. Straight-line distance: 111.6 mi (179.61 km).
#1 South Pekin
Village in Illinois, USA
| Population | 1,081 |
| Coordinates | 40.4944800, -89.6517700 |
| Altitude | 157 |
| 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: 231 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $19.08 | $38.16 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $21.52 | $43.04 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $23.55 | $47.10 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $26.84 | $53.68 |
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 10, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.