Dixon to Peoria is 89.2 miles and takes about 1h 58m via IL 29 and I-180, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, taking you through the Midwest region. Expect a mixed drive that balances highway speeds with some stretches on local roads. It's a straightforward journey, perfect if you're looking for a relatively short drive between these two Illinois cities without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.6 miles from Dixon, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
IL 29
32.6 mi
38m
South Galena Avenue
19.3 mi
29m
I 180
8.7 mi
9m
2050 East Street
7.3 mi
10m
North Galena Road
7.3 mi
10m
I 80
4.1 mi
4m
North Main Street
2.8 mi
4m
Northeast Jefferson Avenue
1.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
IL 29
— 32.6 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dixon, IL and Peoria, IL.
1
Start on East 6th Street
282 ft·17 sec·East 6th Street
2
Turn left onto US 52; IL 26
19 mi·29 min·South Galena Avenue
3
Continue on IL 26
1.0 mi·1 min·North Main Street
4
Continue on IL 26
7.3 mi·10 min·2050 East Street
5
Continue on IL 26
1.4 mi·2 min·County Road 2010 East
6
Continue on IL 26
1.8 mi·2 min·North Main Street
7
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
8
Merge onto I 80
4.1 mi·4 min·I 80
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 180 South: Hennepin
10
Continue on I 180
8.7 mi·9 min·I 180
11
Keep slight right at fork
2.1 mi·2 min
Toward Peoria
12
Continue on IL 29
33 mi·38 min·IL 29
13
Continue on IL 29
7.3 mi·10 min·North Galena Road
14
Continue on IL 29
1.2 mi·1 min·Northeast Adams Street
15
Continue on IL 29
1.7 mi·2 min·Northeast Jefferson Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
Northeast Jefferson Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of just under two hours, this route offers a lot of flexibility for departure times. You can easily make this a same-day trip, so consider leaving mid-morning to avoid rush hour and arrive in Peoria with plenty of afternoon time. There are no specific stops recommended, but with the longest stretch being 32.6 miles, you'll have opportunities to refuel or rest if needed. Keep an eye out for the transition onto I-180 as a key point in your journey.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 44.6 miles from Dixon, IL, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.6 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 20 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.6 miles or 1h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 39m
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 Dixon, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Dixon, IL
This is one driving day of about 89.2 miles and 1h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Dixon, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on IL 29 for about 32.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 5
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 44.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 52; IL 26 / South Galena Avenue
Turn left onto US 52; IL 26 / South Galena Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
30.9 mi into trip|~46m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
3
31.1 mi into trip|~47m in|I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining
4
35.2 mi into trip|~51m in
Take the exit toward I 180 South: Hennepin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 180 South: Hennepin
5
44.3 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Peoria
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.95 one way
$27.89 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$15.31
$30.62
premium
$4.89
$17.17
$34.33
diesel
$5.61
$19.69
$39.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.8
0
$9.37
$4.28
Efficient EV
22.3
0
$7.81
$3.57
EV Truck/SUV
35.7
0
$12.49
$5.71
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Dixon, IL
Afternoon
in Dixon on Saturday
Local time
3:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Peoria, IL
Afternoon
in Peoria on Saturday
Local time
3:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Rome, IL
45 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
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 58m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a blend of road types, with 51% of it on highways. You'll experience a mixed drive that includes time on IL 29, South Galena Avenue, and I-180. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 32.6 miles on IL 29, offering a sustained period of travel before potential shifts in road conditions. The route gradually transitions, providing a dynamic driving experience rather than a monotonous one.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.6 mi on IL 29.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 52; IL 26 / South Galena Avenue.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Dixon, IL to Peoria, IL is easy. At 1h 58m with 51% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 52; IL 26 / South Galena Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 30.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 31.1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Peoria is a city in Illinois and the county seat of Peoria County. It serves as a regional hub for the primarily rural and agricultural center of the state. Peoria is a small but diverse city of approximately 115,000 people that anchors a three-county metropolitan area of nearly 400,000.
The longest stretch is about 32.6 miles on IL 29. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 52; IL 26 / South Galena Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 30.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 31.1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Peoria, IL before heading back.
