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Trip from York, IL to Pekin, IL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

4h 9m

Distance

193.9 mi

312 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
3h 56m ★
6 AM
4h 10m
8 AM
4h 36m
10 AM
4h 19m
12 PM
4h 16m
3 PM
4h 20m
5 PM
4h 35m
8 PM
4h 2m

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

city in North Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom

York, IL

Wikimedia Commons

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

Pekin, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embarking on a road trip from York, Illinois, to Pekin, Illinois, covers 193.9 miles and is estimated to take about 4 hours and 9 minutes. This drive is best suited as a single-day trip, with a projected fuel cost of around $30. You'll primarily navigate on I-74 and IL-1, with a significant 79% of the journey on highways. The overall feel of this route is focused on efficient travel through the Midwest. Given the relatively short duration, it's a manageable drive for a single day, allowing for a timely arrival at your destination.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

96.9 miles from York, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .

Drive Character

This route is largely highway-focused, with 79% of the drive spent on faster roads like I-74 and IL-1. Expect a significant uninterrupted stretch of 114.6 miles on I-74, offering a consistent pace for a good portion of your journey. While I-74 provides a straightforward path, the inclusion of IL-1 and Georgetown Road introduces some variation from the purely interstate experience. The road's personality leans towards efficient travel, minimizing time spent on slower, more winding local routes.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 74 is the longest continuous segment at about 114.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 74 and IL 1. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near West Broadway Street.

Route Complexity 5/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 193.9 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 0.1 miles (West Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (IL 1): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 68.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | West Broadway Street

At end of road, turn right onto West Broadway Street

Navigation decision point

5
2.3 mi into trip | ~9m in | IL 1

Turn sharp right onto IL 1

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

5
68.3 mi into trip | ~1h 50m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 74 West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 74 West
7
183.3 mi into trip | ~3h 55m in | I 474

Keep slight left at fork onto I 474 toward I 474 West: Moline, Rock Island

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

Exit 99 Toward I 474 West: Moline, Rock Island
5
188.4 mi into trip | ~4h in

Take the exit toward IL 29: Pekin, East Peoria

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward IL 29: Pekin, East Peoria

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 York, IL to Pekin, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Rock Island along the way.

Rock Island

183.3 mi in | ~3h 55m | via I 474

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 74 114.6 mi 2h 4m
IL 1 31.3 mi 46m
Georgetown Road 29.8 mi 44m
I 474 5.1 mi 5m
Radio City Drive 3.6 mi 5m
IL Route 1 2.4 mi 6m
East 150th Road 1.9 mi 7m
North State Street 1.9 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 74 — 114.6 mi, about 2h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on North York Street

0.1 mi · 29 sec · North York Street
2

At end of road, turn right onto West Broadway Street

0.2 mi · 56 sec · West Broadway Street
3

Continue on East 150th Road

1.9 mi · 7 min · East 150th Road
4

Turn sharp right onto IL 1

31 mi · 46 min · IL 1
5

Continue on US 150; IL 1

2.4 mi · 6 min · IL Route 1
6

Continue on US 150; IL 1

10 mi · 14 min · Georgetown Road
7

Continue on US 150; IL 1

0.3 mi · 28 sec · 1575 E US 36
8

Continue on US 150; IL 1

6.1 mi · 9 min · Georgetown Road
9

Continue on US 150; IL 1

1.9 mi · 2 min · North State Street
10

Continue on US 150; IL 1

14 mi · 20 min · Georgetown Road
11

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 74 West: Champaign
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward I 74 West
13

Merge onto I 74

86 mi · 1 hr 33 min · I 74
14

Take the exit onto I 74

28 mi · 30 min · I 74
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
15

Keep slight left at fork onto I 474

5.1 mi · 5 min · I 474
Exit 99 Toward I 474 West: Moline, Rock Island
16

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Toward IL 29: Pekin, East Peoria
17

Turn left onto IL 29

0.1 mi · 12 sec · South Main Street
18

Continue on IL 29

2.1 mi · 3 min · Radio City Drive
19

Keep slight right at fork onto IL 29

1.5 mi · 2 min · Radio City Drive
20

Continue on IL 29

0.6 mi · 50 sec · North 8th Street
21

Continue on IL 29

0.5 mi · 46 sec · North 5th Street
22

Turn left onto Margaret Street

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Margaret Street
23

Continue on Court Street

470 ft · 15 sec · Court Street
24

Turn left onto South 8th Street

223 ft · 3 sec · South 8th Street
25

Arrive at destination

South 8th Street

Trip Plan

For this 193.9-mile drive, leaving in the morning will allow you to reach Pekin with plenty of daylight remaining. With a total duration of just over 4 hours, you'll likely only need one significant stop for fuel or a quick break. The longest stretch on I-74 is over 114 miles, so plan your rest stop before or after this segment to break up the highway time. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during that long stretch on I-74, to ensure a smooth continuation of your trip through Illinois.

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 96.9 miles from York, IL, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.6 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 1h 11m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 96.9 miles or 2h 21m 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 28m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving York, 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 York, IL

This is one driving day of about 193.9 miles and 4h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from York, 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 74 for about 114.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 96.9 mi from York, IL · 2h 21m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Champaign, IL

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.

Popular next leg

Champaign, IL to Pekin, IL

93.7 mi · 1h 47m

Pacing Suggestions

Chrisman, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Champaign, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 96.9 miles from York, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 74 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 114.6 miles.

Arriving in Pekin, IL

The final approach into Pekin, 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 Pekin, 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

$30.31 one way

$60.63 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 68 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $33.28 $66.57
premium $4.89 $37.31 $74.63
diesel $5.61 $42.81 $85.62

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 67.8 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 58.2 0 $20.36 $9.31
Efficient EV 48.5 0 $16.97 $7.76
EV Truck/SUV 77.6 0 $27.15 $12.41

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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

York, IL

Night in York on Wednesday

Local time

11:26 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Pekin, IL

Night in Pekin on Wednesday

Local time

11:26 PM

CDT

Current temp

52°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

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

4h 9m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from York, IL to Pekin, IL covers 193.9 miles and takes about 4h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 74, IL 1, Georgetown Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 96.9 miles from York, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.31 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 193.9 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (West Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (IL 1): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 68.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from York, IL to Pekin, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Rock Island along the way.

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