Origin
Blue Island, IL
Morning in Blue Island on Tuesday
Local time
6:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Blue Island, IL to Peoria, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 57m
Distance
154.9 mi
249 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 46m
★
6 AM
2h 58m
8 AM
3h 20m
10 AM
3h 6m
12 PM
3h 3m
3 PM
3h 7m
5 PM
3h 19m
8 PM
2h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Blue Island, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Peoria, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 154.9-mile drive from Blue Island, IL to Peoria, IL is a straightforward journey through the Midwest, taking approximately 2 hours and 57 minutes. With 96% of the route on highways, it's an efficient option, easily manageable as a single-day trip. Expect a fuel cost of around $24 for this stretch. The route primarily utilizes I-55, I-74, and I-80, making it a predominantly highway-focused experience. This trip offers a practical way to get from point A to point B within Illinois, requiring just one planned stop along the way.
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
77.4 miles from Blue Island, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 86.6 mi | 1h 33m |
| I 74 | 33.4 mi | 36m |
| I 80 | 25.3 mi | 30m |
| I 57 | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| Western Avenue | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| West 147th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| IL 29 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Northeast Jefferson Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 86.6 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blue Island, IL and Peoria, IL.
1
Start on Western Avenue
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Western Avenue
2
Continue on Western Avenue
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Western Avenue
3
Turn right onto IL 83
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
West 147th Street
4
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 57 South
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 294 Toll South, I 57 South: Indiana, Memphis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
7
Merge onto I 57
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 345B
Toward I 80 West: Iowa
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 80
25 mi
·
30 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 126A
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
11
Merge onto I 55
87 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
I 55
Use the right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
Use the slight right lane.
13
Continue on I 74
27 mi
·
29 min
·
I 74
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
I 74
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
15
Take the exit onto IL 29
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
IL 29
Toward IL 29 North: Downtown Peoria
16
Continue on Spalding Avenue
452 ft
·
20 sec
·
Spalding Avenue
17
Turn left onto IL 29
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Northeast Jefferson Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
Northeast Jefferson Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 57-minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. Leaving earlier in the morning can help you avoid any potential midday traffic, especially on the interstate stretches. With a fuel cost estimate of $24, it's wise to check your fuel levels before you depart Blue Island. Plan your single stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point of the 154.9-mile journey, to break up the drive on I-55 or I-74. Remember to be mindful of the 86.6-mile stretch on I-55, ensuring you're comfortable before embarking on it.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 77.4 miles from Blue Island, IL, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.6 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 34 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.4 miles or 1h 32m 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 Blue Island, 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 Blue Island, IL
This is one driving day of about 154.9 miles and 2h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Blue Island, 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 86.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 77.4 miles from Blue Island, 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 86.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 120.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
3.1 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 294 Toll South, I 57 South: Indiana, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 294 Toll South, I 57 South: Indiana, M...
5
3.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 57 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
5
4.1 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
7.8 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Iowa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 345B
Toward I 80 West: Iowa
6
120.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
Take the exit toward I 74 West: Peoria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.22 one way
$48.43 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.59 | $53.18 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.81 | $59.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.20 | $68.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.5 | 0 | $16.26 | $7.44 |
| Efficient EV | 38.7 | 0 | $13.55 | $6.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62 | 0 | $21.69 | $9.91 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Destination
Peoria, IL
Morning in Peoria on Tuesday
Local time
6:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
67°F
Reading, IL
77 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
6 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 57m 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?
This drive is largely a highway-focused experience, with 96% of the total distance covered on interstates. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 86.6 miles on I-55, which sets a consistent pace for a significant portion of your journey. The primary roads guiding you are I-55, I-74, and I-80, all of which are designed for efficient travel. While the landscape is consistent with a Midwestern highway profile, the focus remains on covering ground effectively rather than on varied scenery.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.6 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 74. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 154.9 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 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 4.1 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Blue Island, IL
Full guide →Founded 1836
Blue Island is in Chicagoland, located on South Western Avenue between 119th St and 135th Street.
Arriving in Peoria, IL
Full guide →Founded 1680
Peoria is a city in Illinois and the county seat of Peoria County. It serves as a regional hub for the primarily rural and agricultural center of the state. Peoria is a small but diverse city of approximately 115,000 people that anchors a three-county metropolitan area of nearly 400,000.
Top landmarks
- • Madison Theatre — theater and former movie theater in Peoria, Illinois, United States
- • Hotel Père Marquette — hotel in downtown Peoria, Illinois
- • Illinois Waterway Project Office — U.S. Army Core of Engineers facility in Peoria, Illinois
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 2h 57m. Total distance: 154.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 86.6 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Peoria, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 4.1 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Peoria, IL before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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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