Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Washington Park, IL to Peoria, IL

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

3h

Distance

162.6 mi

262 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 49m ★
6 AM
3h 1m
8 AM
3h 23m
10 AM
3h 9m
12 PM
3h 6m
3 PM
3h 10m
5 PM
3h 22m
8 PM
2h 54m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Washington Park, IL, IL

Washington Park, IL

Quang Vuong

Downtown Peoria, IL, IL

Peoria, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 162.6-mile drive from Washington Park, Illinois, to Peoria, Illinois, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours to complete. The vast majority of this journey, 98%, is on highways, making it a straightforward and efficient route. With a fuel cost estimated at $25, this is an economical option for exploring the Midwest. You'll spend most of your time on I-55, I-155, and I-74, with the longest uninterrupted stretch spanning 120 miles on I-55. This highway-focused drive offers a practical way to travel between 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

81.3 miles from Washington Park, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h. Total distance: 162.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this 162.6-mile trip. With 98% of the route on interstates, you'll experience consistent speeds and minimal traffic disruptions. The longest continuous segment is a substantial 120 miles on I-55, allowing for extended periods of steady travel. While largely characterized by high-speed cruising, the transition onto I-155 and then I-74 will guide you towards your destination. This route prioritizes efficient travel over varied scenery, keeping you on fast-paced roads for nearly the entire duration.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 120 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 155. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 162.6 miles you will encounter 10 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 2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (I 55; I 70; US 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

5
2 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp

Navigation decision point

5
2.3 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 55; I 70; US 40

Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
14.4 mi into trip | ~18m in | I 55

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springf...
7
122.3 mi into trip | ~2h 15m in | I 155

Keep slight left at fork onto I 155 toward I 155 North: Peoria, Hartsburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 127 Toward I 155 North: Peoria, Hartsburg
5
154.2 mi into trip | ~2h 49m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 74 West: Peoria

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 74 West: Peoria

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Washington Park, IL and Peoria, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Hartsburg.

Springfield

14.4 mi in | ~18m | via I 55

Kansas City

14.4 mi in | ~18m | via I 55

Hartsburg

122.3 mi in | ~2h 15m | via I 155

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 120 mi 2h 10m
I 155 32 mi 34m
I 74 7 mi 8m
Kingshighway 1.7 mi 3m
IL 111 0.2 mi <1m
IL 29 0.2 mi <1m
Northeast Jefferson Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
Spalding Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 120 mi, about 2h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on North Park Drive

62 ft · 4 sec · North Park Drive
2

Turn right onto IL 111

1.7 mi · 3 min · Kingshighway
3

Turn left onto IL 111

373 ft · 12 sec · Collinsville Road
4

Turn slight right onto IL 111

0.2 mi · 35 sec · IL 111
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 34 sec
6

Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40

12 mi · 13 min · I 55; I 70; US 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

108 mi · 1 hr 56 min · I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 155

32 mi · 34 min · I 155
Exit 127 Toward I 155 North: Peoria, Hartsburg
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
10

Merge onto I 74

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 74
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 74

6.0 mi · 7 min · I 74
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
12

Take the exit onto IL 29

0.2 mi · 23 sec · IL 29
Toward IL 29 North: Downtown Peoria
13

Continue on Spalding Avenue

452 ft · 20 sec · Spalding Avenue
14

Turn left onto IL 29

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Northeast Jefferson Avenue
15

Arrive at destination

Northeast Jefferson Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour duration and 162.6-mile distance, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. You can depart Washington Park at your convenience, but an early morning start will give you ample time to reach Peoria without feeling rushed. Plan for one stop, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, though the $25 fuel cost suggests you might not need to fill up entirely. The longest stretch of 120 miles on I-55 means you can settle in for a good portion of the drive. Keep an eye on your GPS as you transition between I-55, I-155, and I-74 to ensure you're on the correct interstate for Peoria.

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 81.3 miles from Washington Park, IL, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 120 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 36 miles or 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 81.3 miles or 1h 30m 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 26m

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 Washington Park, 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 Washington Park, IL

This is one driving day of about 162.6 miles and 3h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Washington Park, 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 120 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 81.3 mi from Washington Park, IL · 1h 30m into the drive

Downtown Grandview, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Grandview, IL

81 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

Carlinville, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Grandview, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 81.3 miles from Washington Park, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 120 miles.

Arriving in Peoria, IL

The final approach into Peoria, 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 Peoria, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

National Monument

In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free near mile 95.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.42 one way

$50.84 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $27.91 $55.82
premium $4.89 $31.29 $62.58
diesel $5.61 $35.90 $71.80

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 56.9 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 48.8 0 $17.07 $7.80
Efficient EV 40.7 0 $14.23 $6.50
EV Truck/SUV 65 0 $22.76 $10.41

Gas CO2

57 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Washington Park, IL

Night in Washington Park on Thursday

Local time

10:00 PM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Peoria, IL

Night in Peoria on Thursday

Local time

10:00 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

75°F

Grandview, IL

81 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

24 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 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 Washington Park, IL to Peoria, IL covers 162.6 miles and takes about 3h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, I 155, I 74. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 81.3 miles from Washington Park, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.42 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 162.6 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (I 55; I 70; US 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Washington Park, IL and Peoria, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Hartsburg.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Peoria, IL

Unity, IL 286.4 mi · 5h 44m Eagle, IL 264.3 mi · 5h 53m Anna, IL 259.9 mi · 5h 6m Goreville, IL 250.7 mi · 4h 55m

More from Washington Park, IL

Waukegan, IL 321 mi · 6h 5m Springfield, IL 92.1 mi · 1h 47m

More trips to Peoria, IL

Saline, IL 263 mi Zeigler, IL 249.5 mi Cambria, IL 243.3 mi Dale, IL 235.1 mi Fairfield, IL 223.6 mi Robinson, IL 198.8 mi
Weekend drives from Washington Park, IL Scenic drives in IL

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Explore maps for Washington Park, IL or Peoria, IL on MapSof.net.