Trip from Lily Lake, IL to Peoria, IL

Data updated 1 hour ago

Drive Time

2h 51m

Distance

144 mi

232 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min

4 AM

2h 40m ★

6 AM

2h 51m

8 AM

3h 13m

10 AM

2h 59m

12 PM

2h 57m

3 PM

3h 0m

5 PM

3h 12m

8 PM

2h 45m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Lily Lake, IL

Josh Sorenson

Peoria, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 144-mile drive from Lily Lake, Illinois, to Peoria, Illinois, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day, taking about 2 hours and 51 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-39 and IL-29, with a brief segment on I-80, this route is focused on efficient travel. With a projected fuel cost of around $23, it’s an economical option for a quick journey. The Midwest scenery will accompany you for the entire trip, making it a familiar and comfortable drive within the region. You'll find this to be a practical choice for a day trip, with only one planned stop recommended.

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

72 miles from Lily Lake, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience on this route, with 69% of your drive on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 38 miles on I-39, offering a consistent pace. While primarily a highway drive, the inclusion of IL-29 will introduce some variation from the typical interstate feel. This blend means you'll experience periods of steady driving punctuated by potentially more localized road conditions as you approach your destination. The overall character is one of forward momentum and efficient travel.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 39 is the longest continuous segment at about 38 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 39 and IL 29. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 18 miles in.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 144 miles you will encounter 10 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 18 miles: Navigation decision point; at 18.3 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

18 mi into trip | ~25m in

Take the ramp toward I 88 West Toll: Moline Rock Island

Navigation decision point

Toward I 88 West Toll: Moline Rock Island

18.3 mi into trip | ~26m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Merge onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

33.8 mi into trip | ~42m in

Take the exit toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington, Normal

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

Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington, No...

72.1 mi into trip | ~1h 24m in

Take the exit toward I 80 West: La Salle-Peru, Des Moines

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

Exit 59B Toward I 80 West: La Salle-Peru, Des Moines

72.8 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in | I 80

Merge onto I 80

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Lily Lake, IL and Peoria, IL, road signs point toward Normal and Des Moines.

Normal

33.8 mi in | ~42m

Des Moines

72.1 mi in | ~1h 24m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 39	38 mi	40m
IL 29	32.6 mi	38m
I 80	16.7 mi	17m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway	15.6 mi	16m
Lincoln Highway	13.3 mi	18m
I 180	8.7 mi	9m
North Galena Road	7.3 mi	10m
IL 47	3.3 mi	4m

Longest stretch: I 39 — 38 mi, about 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on IL 47

3.3 mi · 4 min · IL 47

Turn right onto IL 38

13 mi · 18 min · Lincoln Highway

Turn left onto Peace Road

1.4 mi · 2 min · Peace Road

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Toward I 88 West Toll: Moline Rock Island

Merge onto I 88; IL 110

16 mi · 16 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington, Normal

Merge onto I 39; US 51

38 mi · 40 min · I 39; US 51

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 57 sec

Exit 59B Toward I 80 West: La Salle-Peru, Des Moines

Merge onto I 80

17 mi · 17 min · I 80

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 2 min

Toward I 180 South: Hennepin

Continue on I 180

8.7 mi · 9 min · I 180

Keep slight right at fork

2.1 mi · 2 min

Toward Peoria

Continue on IL 29

33 mi · 38 min · IL 29

Continue on IL 29

7.3 mi · 10 min · North Galena Road

Continue on IL 29

1.2 mi · 1 min · Northeast Adams Street

Continue on IL 29

1.7 mi · 2 min · Northeast Jefferson Avenue

Arrive at destination

Northeast Jefferson Avenue

Trip Plan

For this relatively short 144-mile journey, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Leaving in the morning will allow you ample time to reach Peoria and explore, with the 2-hour 51-minute drive and one recommended stop easily fitting into your schedule. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 38-mile stretch on I-39, ensuring you have enough to comfortably reach the next service area. The modest fuel cost of $23 makes this an affordable trip, so you can focus on enjoying the drive rather than worrying about frequent refueling.

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 72 miles from Lily Lake, IL, or about 1h 24m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38 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 80 miles or 1h 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 72 miles or 1h 24m 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 17m

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 Lily Lake, 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 Lily Lake, IL

This is one driving day of about 144 miles and 2h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lily Lake, 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 I 39 for about 38 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 72 mi from Lily Lake, IL · 1h 24m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Normal, IL

72 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

Normal, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Aurora, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 72 miles from Lily Lake, 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.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Peoria, IL.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.51 one way

$45.03 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 50 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$24.72	$49.44
premium	$4.89	$27.71	$55.42
diesel	$5.61	$31.79	$63.59

Estimated Tolls: $0.93

Reagan Memorial Tollway (15.6 mi) $0.93

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

$23

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	43.2	$15.12	$6.91
Efficient EV	36	$12.60	$5.76
EV Truck/SUV	57.6	$20.16	$9.22

Gas CO2

50 kg

EV CO2

17 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 4 days ago

Origin

Lily Lake, IL

Night in Lily Lake on Tuesday

Local time

10:08 PM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Peoria, IL

Night in Peoria on Tuesday

Local time

10:08 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°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

20 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 Lily Lake, IL to Peoria, IL covers 144 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 I 39, IL 29, I 80. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 72 miles from Lily Lake, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.51 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.

Between Lily Lake, IL and Peoria, IL, road signs point toward Normal and Des Moines.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Lily Lake, IL or browse trips ending in Peoria, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Explore maps for Lily Lake, IL or Peoria, IL on MapSof.net.

Trip from Lily Lake, IL to Peoria, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Peoria, IL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Lily Lake, IL

Peoria, IL

Same local time

20 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 51m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From Peoria, IL

More from Lily Lake, IL

More trips to Peoria, IL