Mackinaw Dells Rest Area Westbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Brighton Park, IL to North Peoria, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 9m
Distance
162.3 mi
261 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 58m
★
6 AM
3h 9m
8 AM
3h 33m
10 AM
3h 17m
12 PM
3h 15m
3 PM
3h 19m
5 PM
3h 31m
8 PM
3h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brighton Park, IL
Expect Best
North Peoria, IL
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Brighton Park, IL to North Peoria, IL is 162.3 miles and takes about 3h 9m via Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I-74, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. The route is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single day trip. You'll find it to be a practical and efficient way to cover the distance between these two Illinois locations. Consider this if you're looking for a no-fuss drive that gets you where you need to go with minimal complication.
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
81.1 miles from Brighton Park, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Adlai Stevenson Expressway | 121.5 mi | 2h 18m |
| I 74 | 34.1 mi | 37m |
| West 47th Street | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| South Archer Avenue | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| North Knoxville Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
| East McClure Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Central Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Richmond Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
— 121.5 mi, about 2h 18m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,093 veh/hr typical · worst 1,450
Quietest
2 AM
~146 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 43 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brighton Park, IL and North Peoria, IL.
1
Start on this road
216 ft
·
21 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
162 ft
·
12 sec
3
Turn right onto South Richmond Street
160 ft
·
9 sec
·
South Richmond Street
4
Turn right onto South Archer Avenue
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Archer Avenue
5
Turn slight right onto West 47th Street
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
West 47th Street
6
Turn right onto South Central Avenue
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
South Central Avenue
Use the right lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 55 South
8
Merge onto I 55
121 mi
·
2 hr 18 min
·
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
Use the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 74
27 mi
·
29 min
·
I 74
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
6.7 mi
·
8 min
·
I 74
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward IL 40 North: Knoxville Avenue
13
Turn straight onto IL 40
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Knoxville Avenue
14
Turn right onto East McClure Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East McClure Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
East McClure Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 9m duration, leaving Brighton Park in the morning should allow you to reach North Peoria with plenty of time to spare. With only one recommended stop and a short drive time, you have a lot of flexibility in planning your pace. The fuel cost is estimated at $25, so ensure your tank is adequately full before setting out. Pay attention to the exit numbers as you get closer to Peoria, as the Adlai Stevenson Expressway is a substantial segment of the trip. This route is best tackled as a single-day excursion, so plan your departure accordingly to maximize daylight.
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 81.1 miles from Brighton Park, IL, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 121.5 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 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.1 miles or 1h 36m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Peoria, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brighton 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 Brighton Park, IL
This is one driving day of about 162.3 miles and 3h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Brighton 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 Adlai Stevenson Expressway for about 121.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 81.1 miles from Brighton Park, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 121.5 miles.
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.
Mackinaw Dells Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Limestone Rest Area (Southbound)
0.1 mi from route
Limestone Rest Area (Northbound)
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Greater Chicago Truck Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Thorntons
0.8 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.9 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.9 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.5 mi from route
Hinsdale Oasis
1.6 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 153.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
6
3.7 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
South Central Avenue
Turn right onto South Central Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
4.4 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge onto I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
125.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m 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
153.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.76 one way
$49.52 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.27 | $27.27 | $54.54 |
| premium | $4.81 | $30.71 | $61.42 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $34.52 | $69.05 |
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: 56.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.7 | 0 | $17.04 | $7.79 |
| Efficient EV | 40.6 | 0 | $14.20 | $6.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.9 | 0 | $22.72 | $10.39 |
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.
Origin
Brighton Park, IL
Late night in Brighton Park on Sunday
Local time
4:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Sunny
NNE 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 10:45AM CDT until April 30 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 10:35AM CDT until April 26 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
North Peoria, IL
Late night in North Peoria on Sunday
Local time
4:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
ENE 7 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 10:45AM CDT until April 30 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 10:35AM CDT until April 26 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
61°F
Kempton, 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
21 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
3h 9m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to be on highways for about 96% of this drive, covering 162.3 miles. The longest continuous stretch of highway is 121.5 miles on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway. This means you'll experience mostly high-speed cruising with fewer opportunities for quick stops. The transition to surface streets will likely occur as you approach your destination in North Peoria. You'll notice a significant number of exits and potential merges as you navigate these major roadways.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 121.5 mi on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 74. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 9m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 3.7 miles (South Central Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles (I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 9m. Total distance: 162.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 121.5 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 21 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 3.7 miles (South Central Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles (I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at North Peoria, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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