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Trip from Elmwood Park, IL to Peoria, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 14m

Distance

165.9 mi

267 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 2m ★
6 AM
3h 14m
8 AM
3h 38m
10 AM
3h 22m
12 PM
3h 20m
3 PM
3h 24m
5 PM
3h 37m
8 PM
3h 7m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

village in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Elmwood Park, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Peoria, IL, IL

Peoria, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Elmwood Park, IL to Peoria, IL covers 165.9 miles and takes about 3h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I 74, Veterans Memorial Tollway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 105.2 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.94 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

83 miles from Elmwood Park, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Adlai Stevenson Expressway 105.2 mi 1h 55m
I 74 33.4 mi 36m
Veterans Memorial Tollway 8.6 mi 10m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway 7.6 mi 9m
Eisenhower Expressway 5 mi 6m
North Harlem Avenue 3.3 mi 8m
IL 29 0.2 mi <1m
Northeast Jefferson Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Adlai Stevenson Expressway — 105.2 mi, about 1h 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Elmwood Park, IL and Peoria, IL.

1

Start on this road

186 ft · 15 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto West Belden Avenue

0.1 mi · 31 sec · West Belden Avenue
3

Turn right

104 ft · 12 sec
4

Turn left

171 ft · 14 sec
5

Turn right onto IL 43

3.3 mi · 8 min · North Harlem Avenue
Use the left lane.
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 290 West Use the right lane.
7

Merge onto I 290; IL 110

5.0 mi · 6 min · Eisenhower Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110

1.9 mi · 2 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 15A Toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora, Indiana Use the slight left lane.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110

5.8 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 138 Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road) Use the slight right lane.
10

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 55 sec
Exit 131A Toward I 355 South: Joliet Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto I 355

8.6 mi · 10 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 12A Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward Joliet Road South Use the slight left lane.
14

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Merge onto I 55

105 mi · 1 hr 55 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 49 sec
Toward I 74 West: Peoria Use the slight right lane.
17

Continue on I 74

27 mi · 29 min · I 74
18

Keep slight right at fork onto I 74

6.0 mi · 7 min · I 74
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
19

Take the exit onto IL 29

0.2 mi · 23 sec · IL 29
Toward IL 29 North: Downtown Peoria
20

Continue on Spalding Avenue

452 ft · 20 sec · Spalding Avenue
21

Turn left onto IL 29

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Northeast Jefferson Avenue
22

Arrive at destination

Northeast Jefferson Avenue

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 83 miles from Elmwood Park, IL, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.2 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 36 miles or 50m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 83 miles or 1h 42m 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 40m

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 Elmwood Park, 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 Elmwood Park, IL

This is one driving day of about 165.9 miles and 3h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Elmwood Park, 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 105.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Joliet, IL

83 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Romeoville, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Reading, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 83 miles from Elmwood Park, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

3 Rivers Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Channahon, Illinois

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 47.4

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18158285110

Visit website

Ditka's Oakbrook

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois

0.5 mi

Honey Sugar's Cafe, LLC

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Peoria, Illinois

0.2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Ten Drops Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Plainfield, Illinois

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 35.6

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+16306962137

Visit website

Emmys Cafe & Gaming

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Braidwood, Illinois

2.1 mi

Emmy's Cafe & Gaming

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Coal City, Illinois

3 mi

3 Rivers Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 47.4

Channahon, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18158285110

Visit website

Ditka's Oakbrook

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour Expensive mile 11.9

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16305722200

Visit website

Honey Sugar's Cafe, LLC

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 165.9

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–8 pm

+13096431089

Visit website

Bloomin Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 130.4

Normal, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+13098081071

Visit website

J. Alexander's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour Expensive mile 11.9

Oak Brook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+16305738180

Visit website

Cafe Smilga

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 23.7

Darien, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+16304270929

Visit website

Haddad's Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 165.9

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–7:30 pm

+13096725339

One World

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 165.9

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 7:30 am–8 pm

+13096721522

Visit website

Ten Drops Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 35.6

Plainfield, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+16306962137

Visit website

Emmys Cafe & Gaming

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 59.3

Braidwood, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+18153905133

Kafé De Kasa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 35.6

Crest Hill, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18156303694

Visit website

Emmy's Cafe & Gaming

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 59.3

Coal City, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+18155185375

Friendly Coffee Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Berwyn, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+17084849794

Visit website

The Happy Crab Mobile Coffee Bar

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 47.4

Minooka, Illinois

+18155928941

Visit website

Brick & Ivy Coffee Co.

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 47.4

Channahon, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+12176638389

Visit website

Kafe De Kasa

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 47.4

Shorewood, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17792421902

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 130.4

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Rivian Waypoints

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 130.4

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484261

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 130.4

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484273

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 165.9

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 165.9

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 165.9

East Peoria, Illinois

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 130.4

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 165.9

Peoria, Illinois

Dock Rotz Tavern

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 47.4

Minooka, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18154672200

Visit website

The Wine Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30 mile 59.3

Wilmington, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+18154769009

Visit website

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 11.9

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.5 and 25.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
3.5 mi into trip | ~9m in

Take the ramp toward I 290 West

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 290 West
9
8.7 mi into trip | ~17m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora, Indiana

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Exit 15A Toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora...
8
10.6 mi into trip | ~19m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 138 Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
7
16.3 mi into trip | ~26m in

Take the exit toward I 355 South: Joliet

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 131A Toward I 355 South: Joliet
8
25.6 mi into trip | ~38m in

Take the exit toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 12A Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.94 one way

$51.87 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $28.48 $56.95
premium $4.89 $31.93 $63.85
diesel $5.61 $36.63 $73.26

Estimated Tolls: $1.06

Veterans Memorial Tollway (8.6 mi) $0.60
Reagan Memorial Tollway (7.6 mi) $0.46

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 58 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 49.8 0 $17.42 $7.96
Efficient EV 41.5 0 $14.52 $6.64
EV Truck/SUV 66.4 0 $23.23 $10.62

Gas CO2

58 kg

EV CO2

19 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 15, 2026

Origin

Elmwood Park, IL

Afternoon in Elmwood Park on Saturday

Local time

3:25 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Peoria, IL

Afternoon in Peoria on Saturday

Local time

3:25 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

17 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

3h 14m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Pullman National Historical Park

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...

17 mi from route ~43 min detour Free near mile 5.7
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

165.9 mi in 3h 14m, mostly highway — 105.2 mi of that is on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.

87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.2 mi on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 74. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 165.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 3.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Elmwood Park, IL and Peoria, IL, road signs point toward Indiana, 22Nd Street (Cermak Road), Saint Louis and Joliet Road South.

Indiana

8.7 mi in | ~17m | via I 88; IL 110

22Nd Street (Cermak Road)

10.6 mi in | ~19m | via I 88; IL 110

Saint Louis

25.6 mi in | ~38m

Joliet Road South

25.9 mi in | ~38m

About the Cities

Starting in Elmwood Park, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1914

The Northwest Suburbs are in Chicagoland, primarily in northwestern Cook, southern Lake and northern DuPage County, centered along Metra’s North Central Service, though encompassing areas well beyond the rail line. The Northwestern Suburbs constitute the largest portion of Chicagoland outside of the city. For further-out suburbs, see Fox River Valley.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 14m. Total distance: 165.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 105.2 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.06 in tolls one way, starting with Veterans Memorial Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Peoria, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 3.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Peoria, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.

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.

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