Origin
Peoria, IL
Evening in Peoria on Thursday
Local time
5:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Peoria, IL to Kankakee, IL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 25m
Distance
120.5 mi
194 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 16m
★
6 AM
2h 26m
8 AM
2h 46m
10 AM
2h 33m
12 PM
2h 31m
3 PM
2h 34m
5 PM
2h 45m
8 PM
2h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Peoria, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Kankakee, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 120.5-mile drive from Peoria, IL, to Kankakee, IL, is a straightforward Midwest journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 25 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $19, it's an economical option for a day trip. The route primarily utilizes I-55, offering a consistent pace for most of the journey. You'll spend just over half of your travel time on highways, making it a drive that prioritizes efficiency. Since it's a relatively short trip with no recommended stops, you'll have plenty of flexibility in your timing.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.2 miles from Peoria, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 25m. Total distance: 120.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (51%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive for this 120.5-mile trip, with 51% of it on highways. The main artery here is I-55, which forms the backbone of the journey and includes the Murray Baker Bridge. You'll encounter one significant uninterrupted stretch of 53.5 miles on I-55, allowing for steady progress. While much of the drive is on high-speed roads, the transition to and from these highways, along with segments like West Mazon Avenue, will offer a change of pace. It's a route that balances efficient highway travel with brief moments on more local thoroughfares.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 53.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Hamilton Boulevard.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 25m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Hamilton Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Fayette Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (IL 29): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Hamilton Boulevard
Turn right onto Hamilton Boulevard
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Fayette Street
Turn right onto Fayette Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IL 29
Take the ramp onto IL 29 toward I 74 East, IL 29 South: Bloomington, Pekin
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 74 East, IL 29 South: Bloomington, Pek...
6
33.4 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
5
34.8 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
I 55; US 51
Merge onto I 55; US 51
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 53.5 mi | 57m |
| Murray Baker Bridge | 33 mi | 36m |
| West Mazon Avenue | 11.7 mi | 17m |
| County Road 0 | 9.7 mi | 14m |
| West Route 17 | 7.7 mi | 11m |
| West Court Street | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| West Station Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Court Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 53.5 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Peoria, IL and Kankakee, IL.
1
Start on Northeast Jefferson Avenue
84 ft
·
5 sec
·
Northeast Jefferson Avenue
2
Turn right onto Hamilton Boulevard
464 ft
·
16 sec
·
Hamilton Boulevard
3
Turn right onto Northeast Madison Avenue
449 ft
·
16 sec
·
Northeast Madison Avenue
4
Turn right onto Fayette Street
469 ft
·
15 sec
·
Fayette Street
5
Take the ramp onto IL 29
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
IL 29
Toward I 74 East, IL 29 South: Bloomington, Pekin
6
Merge onto I 74; IL 29
33 mi
·
36 min
·
Murray Baker Bridge
7
Keep slight left at fork
1.4 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
8
Merge onto I 55; US 51
54 mi
·
57 min
·
I 55; US 51
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward IL 17: Streator, Kankakee
10
Turn right onto IL 17
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
East 3200 North Road
11
Continue on IL 17
12 mi
·
17 min
·
West Mazon Avenue
12
Continue on IL 17
7.7 mi
·
11 min
·
West Route 17
13
Continue on IL 17
9.7 mi
·
14 min
·
County Road 0
14
Continue on IL 17
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
West Station Street
15
Continue on IL 17
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Court Street
16
Turn slight left onto IL 17
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West Court Street
17
Arrive at destination
IL 17
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 25-minute duration, this 120.5-mile trip is perfect for a day excursion from Peoria to Kankakee. You can depart anytime, but leaving mid-morning might allow you to avoid any potential rush hour congestion. With no mandatory stops and a reasonable fuel cost of $19, focus on maintaining a consistent pace. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 53.5 miles on I-55, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination comfortably. Pack snacks and drinks to stay energized for the relatively short 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 60.2 miles from Peoria, IL, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.5 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 27 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.2 miles or 1h 7m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kankakee, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Peoria, 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, IL
This is one driving day of about 120.5 miles and 2h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Peoria, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 53.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 60.2 mi from Peoria, IL · 1h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 60.2 miles from Peoria, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Kankakee, IL
The final approach into Kankakee, 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 Kankakee, 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
$18.84 one way
$37.68 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.68 | $41.37 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.19 | $46.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.60 | $53.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.2 | 0 | $12.65 | $5.78 |
| Efficient EV | 30.1 | 0 | $10.54 | $4.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.2 | 0 | $16.87 | $7.71 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Kankakee, IL
Evening in Kankakee on Thursday
Local time
5:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
El Paso, IL
60 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
18 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
2h 25m 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, IL to Kankakee, IL covers 120.5 miles and takes about 2h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, Murray Baker Bridge, West Mazon Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 60.2 miles from Peoria, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.84 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.
This is a straightforward 2h 25m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Hamilton Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Fayette Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (IL 29): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Peoria, IL to Kankakee, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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