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Trip from Bradley, IL to Peoria, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 26m

Distance

121.4 mi

195 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 17m ★
6 AM
2h 27m
8 AM
2h 47m
10 AM
2h 34m
12 PM
2h 32m
3 PM
2h 35m
5 PM
2h 46m
8 PM
2h 21m

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 Bradley, IL, IL

Bradley, IL

RDNE Stock project

Downtown Peoria, IL, IL

Peoria, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Bradley, IL to Peoria, IL is 121.4 miles and takes about 2h 26m via I 55 and I 74, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, same-day trip primarily through the Midwest, connecting two Illinois cities. Expect a drive that's largely on major highways, making it efficient for getting from point A to point B. The route is focused on speed and simplicity, ideal if you need to reach Peoria from Bradley without much fuss. With a recommended 1 day for this journey, you'll find it's a manageable distance for a quick transit.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

60.7 miles from Bradley, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 53 mi 56m
I 74 33.4 mi 36m
Livingston Road 11.7 mi 17m
County Road 0 9.7 mi 14m
West Route 17 7.7 mi 11m
Kennedy Drive 1.6 mi 2m
West Court Street 1 mi 1m
East Broadway Street 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 53 mi, about 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on East Broadway Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Broadway Street
2

Turn left onto US 45; US 52

1.6 mi · 2 min · Kennedy Drive
3

Turn right onto IL 17

1.0 mi · 1 min · West Court Street
4

Continue on IL 17

0.3 mi · 25 sec · Court Street
5

Continue on IL 17

0.5 mi · 46 sec · West Station Street
6

Continue on IL 17

9.7 mi · 14 min · County Road 0
7

Continue on IL 17

7.7 mi · 11 min · West Route 17
8

Continue on IL 17

12 mi · 17 min · Livingston Road
9

Continue on IL 17

0.4 mi · 40 sec · East 3200 North Road
10

Turn left

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Toward I 55 South: Bloomington
11

Merge onto I 55

53 mi · 56 min · I 55
Use the slight 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 2h 26m drive time, this is easily a single-day trip, so you have flexibility with your departure. Leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive in Peoria with plenty of time to spare. While there are no designated stops in the data, keep an eye out for services along I 55 and I 74 for quick breaks. The fuel cost is estimated at $19, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you set out, especially before the 53-mile stretch on I 55. Planning your departure to avoid peak traffic hours in either Bradley or Peoria can further streamline your journey.

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 60.7 miles from Bradley, IL, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53 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 27 miles or 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 60.7 miles or 1h 20m 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 2m

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 Bradley, 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 Bradley, IL

This is one driving day of about 121.4 miles and 2h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Bradley, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 53 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Livingston County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Fairbury, IL

61 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

Fairbury, IL to Peoria, IL

69.5 mi · 1h 23m

Pacing Suggestions

Diamond, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fairbury, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 60.7 miles from Bradley, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop

Yolks & Berries

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bradley, Illinois

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18159351501

Visit website

Haddad's Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Peoria, Illinois

1.2 mi

Taj Indian Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bradley, Illinois

1.4 mi

Yolks & Berries

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Bradley, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18159351501

Visit website

Haddad's Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–7:30 pm

+13096725339

Taj Indian Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Bradley, Illinois

Hours: 10:30 am–11 pm

+17797015344

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

InCharge Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Morton, Illinois

+13092913039

Visit website

Rivian Waypoints

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484261

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484273

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Circle K Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Morton, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18335052291

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 121.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0.8 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 45; US 52 / Kennedy Drive

Turn left onto US 45; US 52 / Kennedy Drive

Navigation decision point

5
34 mi into trip | ~51m in | I 55

Merge onto I 55

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

Use the slight right lane.
6
87 mi into trip | ~1h 48m 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
5
115 mi into trip | ~2h 18m in | I 74

Keep slight right at fork onto I 74 toward I 74 West: Peoria

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 74 West: Peoria
5
121.3 mi into trip | ~2h 26m in | IL 29 / Northeast Jefferson Avenue

Turn left onto IL 29 / Northeast Jefferson Avenue

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.98 one way

$37.96 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 43 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $20.84 $41.68
premium $4.89 $23.36 $46.72
diesel $5.61 $26.80 $53.61

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 42.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 36.4 0 $12.75 $5.83
Efficient EV 30.4 0 $10.62 $4.86
EV Truck/SUV 48.6 0 $17.00 $7.77

Gas CO2

42 kg

EV CO2

14 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 20, 2026

Origin

Bradley, IL

Late night in Bradley on Tuesday

Local time

3:07 AM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Peoria, IL

Late night in Peoria on Tuesday

Local time

3:07 AM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

68°F

Fairbury, IL

61 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

2 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 26m 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 route is a highway-focused drive, with 78% of it spent on major interstates like I 55 and I 74. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 53 miles on I 55, which means you can settle in and make good time. The character of the drive is predominantly that of a brisk transit, rather than a winding scenic tour. While there are brief moments on local roads like Livingston Road, the overall feel is one of efficient travel on well-maintained highways.

78% 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: 53 mi on I 55.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 74. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near US 45; US 52 / Kennedy Drive.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 26m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (US 45; US 52 / Kennedy Drive): Navigation decision point; at 34 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 87 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting in Bradley, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1891

Bradley is a village in Kankakee County, in the Chicagoland region of Illinois.

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 26m. Total distance: 121.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (78%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 53 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 0.8 miles (US 45; US 52 / Kennedy Drive): Navigation decision point; at 34 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 87 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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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