This 149.3-mile drive from Clarendon Hills, IL to Peoria, IL is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 51 minutes. With 97% of the route on highways, it’s a direct shot through the heart of the Midwest. The estimated fuel cost is around $23, making it an economical journey. You'll primarily be on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I-74, offering a straightforward path. This route is designed for efficiency, getting you to your destination without unnecessary detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
74.7 miles from Clarendon Hills, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 27m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 51m. Total distance: 149.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for this trip, with 97% of the journey utilizing major expressways like the Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I-74. The longest uninterrupted stretch you’ll encounter is a significant 110.5 miles on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, indicating long periods of consistent cruising. This profile suggests a route that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic byways. The roads are designed for comfortable, high-speed travel, characteristic of interstates connecting major Midwestern cities.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 110.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 74. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near IL 83 / Kingery Highway.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 149.3 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (IL 83 / Kingery Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles (I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.2 mi into trip|~3m in|IL 83 / Kingery Highway
Merge onto IL 83 / Kingery Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
3.9 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the exit toward I 55 South: Joliet
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Joliet
5
4.4 mi into trip|~9m in|I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge onto I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
114.9 mi into trip|~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward I 74 West: Peoria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
5
142.9 mi into trip|~2h 43m in|I 74
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74 toward I 74 West: Peoria
Step-by-step road directions between Clarendon Hills, IL and Peoria, IL.
1
Start on North Prospect Avenue
0.7 mi·2 min·North Prospect Avenue
2
Turn left onto 55th Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·55th Street
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward IL 83 South
4
Merge onto IL 83
2.7 mi·4 min·Kingery Highway
Use the left lane.
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 55 South: JolietUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 55
111 mi·2 hr 3 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·49 sec
Toward I 74 West: PeoriaUse the slight right lane.
8
Continue on I 74
27 mi·29 min·I 74
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
6.0 mi·7 min·I 74
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
10
Take the exit onto IL 29
0.2 mi·23 sec·IL 29
Toward IL 29 North: Downtown Peoria
11
Continue on Spalding Avenue
452 ft·20 sec·Spalding Avenue
12
Turn left onto IL 29
0.2 mi·16 sec·Northeast Jefferson Avenue
13
Arrive at destination
Northeast Jefferson Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of just under 3 hours, this route offers great flexibility for departure times. Leaving Clarendon Hills in the morning, perhaps before 9 AM, can help you bypass potential commuter traffic. With only one recommended stop and a 110.5-mile longest stretch, you can easily complete the drive without needing to break it up. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially on the longer highway segments, and consider topping off before departing to ensure a smooth 149.3-mile journey to Peoria. The $23 fuel estimate is a good budget baseline.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 74.7 miles from Clarendon Hills, IL, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 33 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.7 miles or 1h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Peoria, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clarendon Hills, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Clarendon Hills, IL
This is one driving day of about 149.3 miles and 2h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Clarendon Hills, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Adlai Stevenson Expressway for about 110.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 74.7 mi from Clarendon Hills, IL
· 1h 27m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 5.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.34 one way
$46.68 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$25.63
$51.26
premium
$4.89
$28.73
$57.46
diesel
$5.61
$32.96
$65.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.8
0
$15.68
$7.17
Efficient EV
37.3
0
$13.06
$5.97
EV Truck/SUV
59.7
0
$20.90
$9.56
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Clarendon Hills, IL
Late night
in Clarendon Hills on Saturday
Local time
2:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Peoria, IL
Late night
in Peoria on Saturday
Local time
2:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
70°F
Reading, IL
75 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
15 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 51m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Clarendon Hills, IL to Peoria, IL covers 149.3 miles and takes about 2h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I 74, Kingery Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 74.7 miles from Clarendon Hills, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.34 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 149.3 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (IL 83 / Kingery Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles (I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Clarendon Hills, IL to Peoria, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
