Origin
Peoria Heights, IL
Night in Peoria Heights on Wednesday
Local time
9:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Peoria Heights, IL to Arlington Heights, IL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 20m
Distance
166.2 mi
267 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 8m
★
6 AM
3h 20m
8 AM
3h 44m
10 AM
3h 29m
12 PM
3h 26m
3 PM
3h 30m
5 PM
3h 43m
8 PM
3h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Peoria Heights, IL
Choco Kitty
Arlington Heights, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 166.2-mile drive from Peoria Heights, IL to Arlington Heights, IL is a straightforward, highway-focused trip perfect for a single day. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 20 minutes on the road, with an estimated fuel cost of $26. The route primarily utilizes I-80, Veterans Memorial Tollway, and I-55, making it a largely efficient journey through the Midwest. With a highway share of 64%, this is a classic interstate experience designed for covering distance. You'll be traveling within the same state, Illinois, so no significant regional shifts to worry about, just a steady progression north.
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
83.1 miles from Peoria Heights, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .
Drive Character
The character of this drive is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 64% of the journey on interstates. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 65 miles on I-80, allowing for consistent speed and minimal interruptions. While the bulk of the route emphasizes efficiency on major roadways like I-80, Veterans Memorial Tollway, and I-55, you'll still experience the dynamic of transitioning between these key arteries. This means a predictable pace for much of the trip, punctuated by the natural flow of interstate traffic.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 65 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Veterans Memorial Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 166.2 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 6.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 115.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 134.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
6.6 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
7
115.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward I 55 North: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 126B
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
134.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
Take the exit toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs
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 269
Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest...
6
160.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m in
|
IL 53
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
163.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 13m in
Take the exit toward East Euclid Avenue, Third District, Circuit Court
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.
Toward East Euclid Avenue, Third District, Circ...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Peoria Heights, IL to Arlington Heights, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Southwest Suburbs along the way.
Southwest Suburbs
134.1 mi in
|
~2h 35m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 65 mi | 1h 9m |
| Veterans Memorial Tollway | 19.2 mi | 24m |
| I 55 | 18.2 mi | 21m |
| County Road 1400 East | 17.8 mi | 20m |
| South 4th Street | 9.1 mi | 10m |
| I 180 | 8.9 mi | 9m |
| North State Route 29 | 6.1 mi | 7m |
| North Galena Road | 5.9 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 65 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Peoria Heights, IL and Arlington Heights, IL.
1
Start on North Prospect Road
5 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Prospect Road
2
Turn left onto North Grand View Drive
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
North Grand View Drive
3
Turn left onto East Roosevelt Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Roosevelt Road
4
Turn left onto IL 29
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
North Galena Road
5
Keep slight left at fork
321 ft
·
4 sec
6
Keep slight right at fork
148 ft
·
2 sec
7
Continue on IL 29
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Galena Road
8
Continue on IL 29
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
North State Route 29
9
Continue on IL 29
9.1 mi
·
10 min
·
South 4th Street
10
Continue on IL 29
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Railroad Street
11
Continue on IL 29
18 mi
·
20 min
·
County Road 1400 East
12
Merge onto I 180
8.9 mi
·
9 min
·
I 180
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 80 East: Joliet
14
Merge onto I 80
65 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 126B
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
Use the right lane.
16
Merge onto I 55
18 mi
·
21 min
·
I 55
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 269
Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 355 North: Northwest Suburbs
19
Merge onto I 355
19 mi
·
24 min
·
Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 290
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
I 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward East Euclid Avenue, Third District, Circuit Court
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn slight right onto Euclid Avenue
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Euclid Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
24
Arrive at destination
East Euclid Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3-hour and 20-minute duration and 166.2-mile distance, this trip is ideal for a single-day excursion. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic and maximize your time at your destination. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $26, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on the longest stretch of 65 miles on I-80; it's a good point to assess your fuel level and consider a brief break if needed before continuing to Arlington Heights.
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 83.1 miles from Peoria Heights, IL, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65 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 37 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.1 miles or 1h 37m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington Heights, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Peoria Heights, 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 Peoria Heights, IL
This is one driving day of about 166.2 miles and 3h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Peoria Heights, 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 80 for about 65 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.1 mi from Peoria Heights, IL · 1h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 83.1 miles from Peoria Heights, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65 miles.
Arriving in Arlington Heights, IL
The final approach into Arlington Heights, 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 Arlington Heights, 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
$25.98 one way
$51.97 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.53 | $57.06 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.98 | $63.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.69 | $73.39 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.35
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(19.2 mi)
$1.35
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: 58.2 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 | 49.9 | 0 | $17.45 | $7.98 |
| Efficient EV | 41.6 | 0 | $14.54 | $6.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.5 | 0 | $23.27 | $10.64 |
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.
Destination
Arlington Heights, IL
Night in Arlington Heights on Wednesday
Local time
9:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Peru, IL
83 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
3 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 20m 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 Peoria Heights, IL to Arlington Heights, IL covers 166.2 miles and takes about 3h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, Veterans Memorial Tollway, I 55. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.1 miles from Peoria Heights, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.98 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 166.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 115.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 134.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Peoria Heights, IL to Arlington Heights, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Southwest Suburbs along the way.
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