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Trip from Prairie Grove, IL to Peoria, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 37m

Distance

173.2 mi

279 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 25m ★
6 AM
3h 37m
8 AM
4h 2m
10 AM
3h 46m
12 PM
3h 43m
3 PM
3h 47m
5 PM
4h 1m
8 PM
3h 30m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Prairie Grove, IL, IL

Prairie Grove, IL

Andrew Patrick Photo

Downtown Peoria, IL, IL

Peoria, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Prairie Grove, IL to Peoria, IL covers 173.2 miles and takes about 3h 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 39, IL 29, I 80 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 62.4 miles on I 39. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.08 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

86.6 miles from Prairie Grove, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 54m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 39 62.4 mi 1h 7m
IL 29 32.6 mi 38m
I 80 16.7 mi 17m
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway 13.6 mi 20m
IL 176 9 mi 13m
I 180 8.7 mi 9m
North Galena Road 7.3 mi 10m
East Terra Cotta Avenue 7.1 mi 12m
Longest stretch: I 39 — 62.4 mi, about 1h 7m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Barreville Road

1.5 mi · 4 min · Barreville Road
2

At end of road, turn right onto IL 176

1.0 mi · 1 min · West State Road
3

Continue on IL 176

7.1 mi · 12 min · East Terra Cotta Avenue
4

Turn right onto IL 47; IL 176

0.8 mi · 1 min · IL 47; IL 176
Use the right lane.
5

Turn left onto IL 176

9.0 mi · 13 min · IL 176
6

At end of road, turn left onto IL 23

0.5 mi · 46 sec · North State Street
7

Turn right onto US 20

5.0 mi · 7 min · West Grant Highway
8

Continue on US 20

13 mi · 20 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
9

Continue on US 20

0.1 mi · 9 sec · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
10

Continue on Harrison Avenue

412 ft · 6 sec · Harrison Avenue
11

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec
12

Merge onto I 39; US 20; US 51

1.8 mi · 1 min · I 39; US 20; US 51
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; US 51

61 mi · 1 hr 5 min · I 39; US 51
14

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 57 sec
Exit 59B Toward I 80 West: La Salle-Peru, Des Moines
15

Merge onto I 80

17 mi · 17 min · I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 2 min
Toward I 180 South: Hennepin
17

Continue on I 180

8.7 mi · 9 min · I 180
18

Keep slight right at fork

2.1 mi · 2 min
Toward Peoria
19

Continue on IL 29

33 mi · 38 min · IL 29
20

Continue on IL 29

7.3 mi · 10 min · North Galena Road
21

Continue on IL 29

1.2 mi · 1 min · Northeast Adams Street
22

Continue on IL 29

1.7 mi · 2 min · Northeast Jefferson Avenue
23

Arrive at destination

Northeast Jefferson Avenue

Trip Plan

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 86.6 miles from Prairie Grove, IL, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.4 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 38 miles or 1h 1m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 86.6 miles or 1h 54m 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 56m

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 Prairie Grove, 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 Prairie Grove, IL

This is one driving day of about 173.2 miles and 3h 37m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Prairie Grove, 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 62.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Peru, IL

87 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

Belvidere, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Peru, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 86.6 miles from Prairie Grove, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 39 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.4 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Honey Sugar's Cafe, LLC

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Peoria, Illinois

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 173.2

Hours: 11:30 am–8 pm

+13096431089

Visit website

Garden Prairie Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Garden Prairie, Illinois

1 mi

Haddad's Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Peoria, Illinois

1.2 mi

Honey Sugar's Cafe, LLC

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 173.2

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–8 pm

+13096431089

Visit website

Garden Prairie Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 24.7

Garden Prairie, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+18155971190

Visit website

Haddad's Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 173.2

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–7:30 pm

+13096725339

One World

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 173.2

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 7:30 am–8 pm

+13096721522

Visit website

Eggcellent Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 173.2

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+13096431218

Visit website

The Fit Hub Rochelle

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 61.9

Rochelle, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18152184988

Acres Bistro

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 61.9

Rochelle, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18157628212

The 520 Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 173.2

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+13098391416

Visit website

Summer Moon Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour Inexpensiv

Crystal Lake, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+18158934019

Visit website

Bean Box Espresso

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 111.3

Spring Valley, Illinois

Hours: 6:30 am–6:30 pm

The Library Café

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 123.7

Princeton, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+18158751331

Visit website

Valley Babes

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 111.3

Spring Valley, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Blended Together

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 111.3

Spring Valley, Illinois

+18156631518

The Daily Grind Specialty Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 111.3

Spring Valley, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18156640084

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 173.2

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 173.2

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 173.2

East Peoria, Illinois

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 173.2

Peoria, Illinois

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 173.2

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 5 am–12 pm

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 173.2

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13094948850

Visit website

Holiday Inn Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 173.2

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 173.2

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Flight Deck A Global Inspired Pub

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 61.9

Rochelle, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18155613664

Visit website

Midway Village Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 37.1

Rockford, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18153979112

Visit website

Silver Dome

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 123.7

DePue, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+18154472198

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 128.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
1.5 mi into trip | ~4m in | IL 176 / West State Road

At end of road, turn right onto IL 176 / West State Road

Navigation decision point

5
9.6 mi into trip | ~18m in | IL 47; IL 176

Turn right onto IL 47; IL 176

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
101.3 mi into trip | ~2h 10m 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
5
102 mi into trip | ~2h 11m in | I 80

Merge onto I 80

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
128.3 mi into trip | ~2h 40m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Peoria

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward Peoria

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.08 one way

$54.16 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $29.73 $59.46
premium $4.89 $33.33 $66.66
diesel $5.61 $38.24 $76.48

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 60.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 52 0 $18.19 $8.31
Efficient EV 43.3 0 $15.15 $6.93
EV Truck/SUV 69.3 0 $24.25 $11.08

Gas CO2

61 kg

EV CO2

20 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Prairie Grove, IL

Afternoon in Prairie Grove on Saturday

Local time

2:44 PM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Peoria, IL

Afternoon in Peoria on Saturday

Local time

2:44 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

52°F

Peru, IL

87 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

14 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 37m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

173.2 mi in 3h 37m, mostly highway — 62.4 mi of that is on I 39.

75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.4 mi on I 39.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 39 and IL 29. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in near IL 176 / West State Road.

Driving Effort 5/10

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

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 173.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 1.5 miles (IL 176 / West State Road): Navigation decision point; at 9.6 miles (IL 47; IL 176): Lane positioning matters here; at 101.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Prairie Grove, IL to Peoria, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Des Moines along the way.

Des Moines

101.3 mi in | ~2h 10m

About the Cities

Starting in Prairie Grove, IL

Full guide →

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 37m. Total distance: 173.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 62.4 miles on I 39. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles (IL 176 / West State Road): Navigation decision point; at 9.6 miles (IL 47; IL 176): Lane positioning matters here; at 101.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Peoria, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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