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Trip from Forrest, IL to Peoria, IL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 31m

Distance

75 mi

121 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 25m ★
6 AM
1h 32m
8 AM
1h 46m
10 AM
1h 37m
12 PM
1h 35m
3 PM
1h 37m
5 PM
1h 45m
8 PM
1h 28m

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

Downtown Forrest, IL, IL

Forrest, IL

Lauri Poldre

Downtown Peoria, IL, IL

Peoria, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 75-mile drive from Forrest to Peoria, Illinois, is easily manageable in about 1 hour and 31 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a day trip. You'll primarily be navigating on Interstate 74 and Interstate 55, with a brief section on East 3100 North Road contributing to the journey. The estimated fuel cost for this Midwest excursion is around $12. Given its relatively short distance and direct route, no overnight stops are necessary, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule. This trip offers a no-fuss transition within the state of Illinois.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

37.5 miles from Forrest, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience for roughly 75% of this 75-mile trip. The route is dominated by major interstates, offering a consistent pace for most of the journey. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch on I-74, covering 33.4 miles, so be prepared for extended periods of highway driving. While the majority is interstate, the inclusion of East 3100 North Road offers a slight variation before you reach your destination. It's a drive that prioritizes efficiency over winding scenic byways.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 74 is the longest continuous segment at about 33.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 74 and I 55. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 17.6 miles in.

Route Complexity 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Forrest, IL to Peoria, IL is easy. At 1h 31m with 75% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 17.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 18.1 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
17.6 mi into trip | ~28m in

Turn left toward I 55 South: Bloomington

Navigation decision point

Toward I 55 South: Bloomington
5
18.1 mi into trip | ~29m in | I 55

Merge onto I 55

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.
6
40.6 mi into trip | ~53m 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
68.6 mi into trip | ~1h 23m in | I 74

Keep slight right at fork onto I 74 toward I 74 West: Peoria

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 74 West: Peoria
5
74.9 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in | IL 29 / Northeast Jefferson Avenue

Turn left onto IL 29 / Northeast Jefferson Avenue

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 74 33.4 mi 36m
I 55 22.5 mi 24m
East 3100 North Road 6.8 mi 9m
East 800 North Road 5 mi 6m
East Oak Street 2.1 mi 4m
East 820 North Road 1.7 mi 2m
East Cemetery Avenue 1.5 mi 3m
West Wabash Street 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 74 — 33.4 mi, about 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on IL 47

0.2 mi · 40 sec · North Center Street
2

Turn right onto US 24

0.4 mi · 45 sec · West Wabash Street
3

Continue on US 24

1.7 mi · 2 min · East 820 North Road
4

Continue on US 24

2.6 mi · 3 min · East 800 North Road
5

Continue on US 24

2.1 mi · 4 min · East Oak Street
6

Continue on US 24

2.4 mi · 3 min · East 800 North Road
7

Continue on US 24

6.4 mi · 8 min · East 3100 North Road
8

Continue on US 24

1.5 mi · 3 min · East Cemetery Avenue
9

Continue on US 24

0.3 mi · 40 sec · East 3100 North Road
10

Turn left

0.5 mi · 58 sec
Toward I 55 South: Bloomington
11

Merge onto I 55

23 mi · 24 min · I 55
Use the slight right lane.
12

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 49 sec
Toward I 74 West: Peoria Use the slight right lane.
13

Continue on I 74

27 mi · 29 min · I 74
14

Keep slight right at fork onto I 74

6.0 mi · 7 min · I 74
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
15

Take the exit onto IL 29

0.2 mi · 23 sec · IL 29
Toward IL 29 North: Downtown Peoria
16

Continue on Spalding Avenue

452 ft · 20 sec · Spalding Avenue
17

Turn left onto IL 29

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Northeast Jefferson Avenue
18

Arrive at destination

Northeast Jefferson Avenue

Trip Plan

For this 1-hour and 31-minute drive, starting your journey in the morning or early afternoon will give you plenty of daylight. Since the total distance is only 75 miles and requires no overnight stops, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits you best. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, it's an economical trip. Keep an eye out for the transition from I-55 to I-74 as you approach Peoria; this is a key point in your navigation. Plan for minimal stops, as the drive is quite short.

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 37.5 miles from Forrest, IL, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.4 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 17 miles or 26m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 37.5 miles or 49m 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 18m

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 Forrest, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Forrest, IL

This is one driving day of about 75 miles and 1h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Forrest, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 74 for about 33.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 37.5 mi from Forrest, IL · 49m into the drive

Downtown Normal, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Normal, IL

38 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

Fairbury, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Normal, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 37.5 miles from Forrest, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Peoria, IL

The final approach into Peoria, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.73 one way

$23.45 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 26 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $12.87 $25.75
premium $4.89 $14.43 $28.87
diesel $5.61 $16.56 $33.12

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 26.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 22.5 0 $7.87 $3.60
Efficient EV 18.8 0 $6.56 $3.00
EV Truck/SUV 30 0 $10.50 $4.80

Gas CO2

26 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (65% 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

Forrest, IL

Night in Forrest on Wednesday

Local time

11:20 PM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Peoria, IL

Night in Peoria on Wednesday

Local time

11:20 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

2 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 31m 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 Forrest, IL to Peoria, IL covers 75 miles and takes about 1h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 74, I 55, East 3100 North Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 37.5 miles from Forrest, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.73 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.
The drive from Forrest, IL to Peoria, IL is easy. At 1h 31m with 75% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 18.1 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Forrest, IL to Peoria, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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