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Trip from Peoria, IL to Pekin, IL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

16m

Distance

11.6 mi

19 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$2

one way

Best Time to Leave

4 AM
0h 15m ★
6 AM
0h 16m
8 AM
0h 19m
10 AM
0h 17m
12 PM
0h 17m
3 PM
0h 17m
5 PM
0h 19m
8 PM
0h 15m ★

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

Downtown Peoria, IL, IL

Peoria, IL

Wikimedia Commons

city and county seat of Tazewell County, Illinois, United States

Pekin, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This short 11.6-mile drive from Peoria, IL, to Pekin, IL, is easily manageable in just 16 minutes, making it perfect for a quick local trip. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $2, it's an economical option for getting between these two Midwest towns. The route primarily utilizes US 24 and IL 9, offering a straightforward journey. Since there are no recommended overnight stops, this trip is ideal for a single day, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule. You'll find this drive to be a practical, highway-focused experience.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.

Midpoint

5.8 miles from Peoria, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 9m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 11.6-mile journey, with 66% of the route on higher-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 5.2 miles along US 24, providing a consistent pace. You'll primarily navigate via US 24 and IL 9, with a segment on Southwest Jefferson Avenue. This route offers a straightforward driving experience with minimal complexity, allowing you to focus on reaching your destination efficiently.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 24 is the longest continuous segment at about 5.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 24 and IL 9. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in near South Western Avenue.

Route Complexity 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Peoria, IL to Pekin, IL is easy. At 16m with 66% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles (South Western Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles (Southwest Adams Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.6 miles (South 8th Street): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

3 of 3 key points

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

3
2.4 mi into trip | ~4m in | South Western Avenue

Turn left onto South Western Avenue

Navigation decision point

3
2.5 mi into trip | ~4m in | Southwest Adams Street

Turn right onto Southwest Adams Street

Navigation decision point

5
11.6 mi into trip | ~16m in | South 8th Street

Turn left onto South 8th Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 24 5.2 mi 6m
IL 9 2.4 mi 2m
Southwest Jefferson Avenue 2.3 mi 4m
Southwest Adams Street 1.3 mi 2m
Northeast Jefferson Avenue 0.1 mi <1m
South Western Avenue 0.1 mi <1m
Court Street <0.1 mi <1m
South 8th Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 24 — 5.2 mi, about 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Northeast Jefferson Avenue

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Northeast Jefferson Avenue
2

Continue on Southwest Jefferson Avenue

2.3 mi · 4 min · Southwest Jefferson Avenue
3

Turn left onto South Western Avenue

0.1 mi · 12 sec · South Western Avenue
4

Turn right onto Southwest Adams Street

1.2 mi · 1 min · Southwest Adams Street
5

Continue on Southwest Adams Street

0.1 mi · 7 sec · Southwest Adams Street
6

Continue on US 24

5.2 mi · 6 min · US 24
7

Turn left

177 ft · 8 sec
8

Continue on IL 9

2.4 mi · 2 min · IL 9
9

Continue on Court Street

470 ft · 15 sec · Court Street
10

Turn left onto South 8th Street

223 ft · 3 sec · South 8th Street
11

Arrive at destination

South 8th Street

Trip Plan

Given the short 16-minute duration, this trip between Peoria and Pekin offers great flexibility; you can depart whenever it's most convenient. With only 11.6 miles and an estimated fuel cost of $2, you won't need to worry much about frequent refueling. Since there are no recommended stops, consider making this a direct trip. A practical tip for this specific route: pay attention to the transitions between US 24, IL 9, and Southwest Jefferson Avenue to ensure you're on the correct path without unnecessary detours.

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 5.8 miles from Peoria, IL, or about 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 5.2 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 11.6 miles or 16m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 5.8 miles or 9m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 13m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pekin, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Have your navigation ready before leaving Peoria, IL.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Peoria, IL

This is one driving day of about 11.6 miles and 16m.

At 11.6 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on US 24 for about 5.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 5.8 mi from Peoria, IL · 9m into the drive

Pacing Suggestions

South Pekin, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 11.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bartonville, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 5.8 miles from Peoria, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Pekin, IL

Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Pekin, IL if you are unfamiliar with the area.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$1.81 one way

$3.63 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 4 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $1.99 $3.98
premium $4.89 $2.23 $4.46
diesel $5.61 $2.56 $5.12

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$27–$52

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 4.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 3.5 0 $1.22 $0.56
Efficient EV 2.9 0 $1.02 $0.46
EV Truck/SUV 4.6 0 $1.62 $0.74

Gas CO2

4 kg

EV CO2

1 kg (75% 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

Peoria, IL

Night in Peoria on Wednesday

Local time

9:59 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Pekin, IL

Night in Pekin on Wednesday

Local time

9:59 PM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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 cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

16m 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 Pekin, IL covers 11.6 miles and takes about 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 24, IL 9, Southwest Jefferson Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.8 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 $1.81 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 Peoria, IL to Pekin, IL is easy. At 16m with 66% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles (South Western Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles (Southwest Adams Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.6 miles (South 8th Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Peoria, IL to Pekin, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Pekin, IL to Peoria, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

12 mi 16m

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

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