Origin
Peoria, IL
Morning in Peoria on Friday
Local time
10:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Peoria, IL to North Chicago, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 46m
Distance
194.3 mi
313 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 34m
★
6 AM
3h 47m
8 AM
4h 12m
10 AM
3h 55m
12 PM
3h 53m
3 PM
3h 57m
5 PM
4h 11m
8 PM
3h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Peoria, IL
Wikimedia Commons
North Chicago, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 194.3-mile journey from Peoria, IL, to North Chicago, IL, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 46 minutes. You'll primarily navigate major interstates, with a significant portion on I-55 and the Tri-State Tollway. The estimated fuel cost for this Midwest to Midwest drive is around $30. Given the relatively short duration and the direct nature of the route, it's well-suited for a straightforward drive without needing an overnight stop. It offers a practical way to connect these two Illinois cities.
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
97.1 miles from Peoria, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 46m. Total distance: 194.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway experience, with 59% of the drive utilizing major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 113.6 miles on I-55, offering a chance to maintain steady progress. The Murray Baker Bridge marks an important segment of the journey. This mixed drive profile means you'll experience the efficiency of high-speed travel for most of the way, making it a functional rather than overtly scenic route.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 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 113.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 33.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 194.3 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 33.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 155.2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
7
148.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
Take the exit toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
6
155.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
189.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 38m in
Take the exit toward IL 137: Buckley Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 13
Toward IL 137: Buckley Road
6
192.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 44m in
|
IL 137 / Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
Turn left onto IL 137 / Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 113.6 mi | 2h 6m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 39.2 mi | 47m |
| Murray Baker Bridge | 33 mi | 36m |
| Buckley Road | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Bobby E. Thompson Expressway | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| Sheridan Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| IL 29 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Broadway | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 113.6 mi, about 2h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Peoria, IL and North Chicago, 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
114 mi
·
2 hr 6 min
·
I 55; US 51
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.6 mi
·
3 min
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Use the right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
11
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
34 mi
·
42 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 13
Toward IL 137: Buckley Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto IL 137
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Buckley Road
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto IL 137
0.8 mi
·
59 sec
·
Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Continue on IL 137
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
·
Sheridan Road
17
Turn left onto Broadway
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Broadway
18
Turn right onto Park Avenue
208 ft
·
9 sec
·
Park Avenue
19
Turn right onto Fellows Place
47 ft
·
2 sec
·
Fellows Place
20
Arrive at destination
Fellows Place
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 46-minute drive, leaving Peoria in the morning allows you to reach North Chicago with plenty of the day remaining. With only one stop recommended, you can be strategic about where you take a break to maximize your time on the road. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 113.6-mile stretch on I-55, as services might be less frequent. The $30 fuel cost is a good budget to keep in mind for this trip.
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 97.1 miles from Peoria, IL, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.6 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 43 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.1 miles or 1h 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 3h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Chicago, 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 194.3 miles and 3h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Peoria, 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 55 for about 113.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 97.1 mi from Peoria, IL · 1h 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
97 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 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 97.1 miles from Peoria, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.6 miles.
Arriving in North Chicago, IL
The final approach into North Chicago, 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 North Chicago, IL.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.38 one way
$60.75 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $33.35 | $66.70 |
| premium | $4.89 | $37.39 | $74.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.90 | $85.80 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.35
Tri-state Tollway
(39.2 mi)
$2.35
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
$30
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.3 | 0 | $20.40 | $9.33 |
| Efficient EV | 48.6 | 0 | $17.00 | $7.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77.7 | 0 | $27.20 | $12.44 |
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Destination
North Chicago, IL
Morning in North Chicago on Friday
Local time
10:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°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
6 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 46m 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 North Chicago, IL covers 194.3 miles and takes about 3h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, Tri-State Tollway, Murray Baker Bridge. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 97.1 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 $30.38 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 194.3 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 33.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 155.2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Peoria, IL to North Chicago, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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