Origin
Buffalo Grove, IL
Afternoon in Buffalo Grove on Sunday
Local time
3:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Buffalo Grove, IL to Peoria, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 24m
Distance
175.9 mi
283 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 12m
★
6 AM
3h 24m
8 AM
3h 49m
10 AM
3h 33m
12 PM
3h 30m
3 PM
3h 34m
5 PM
3h 47m
8 PM
3h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buffalo Grove, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Peoria, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 175.9-mile journey from Buffalo Grove, IL, to Peoria, IL, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 24 minutes on the road, with a comfortable fuel cost estimated at $28 for this Midwest to Midwest trip. The route is primarily highway-focused, making it an efficient option for getting from point A to point B. With only one recommended stop and a substantial longest stretch of 105.2 miles, this drive allows for minimal disruption. It's a practical choice if you're looking for a no-fuss trip within Illinois.
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
88 miles from Buffalo Grove, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Adlai Stevenson Expressway | 105.2 mi | 1h 55m |
| I 74 | 33.4 mi | 36m |
| I 355 | 20.1 mi | 25m |
| IL 53 | 10.2 mi | 13m |
| South Buffalo Grove Road | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| Palatine Road | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| North Arlington Heights Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| East Hintz Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
— 105.2 mi, about 1h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo Grove, IL and Peoria, IL.
1
Start on Aptakisic Road
60 ft
·
4 sec
·
Aptakisic Road
2
Turn left onto South Buffalo Grove Road
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
South Buffalo Grove Road
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto East Hintz Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Hintz Road
4
Turn left onto North Arlington Heights Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Arlington Heights Road
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto Palatine Road
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Palatine Road
Use the right lane.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward IL 53 South
7
Merge onto IL 53
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
7.0 mi
·
9 min
·
IL 53
Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 355
20 mi
·
25 min
·
I 355
Exit 7
Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
Use the slight left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 12A
Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward Joliet Road South
Use the slight left lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 55
105 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
Use the slight right lane.
15
Continue on I 74
27 mi
·
29 min
·
I 74
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
I 74
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
17
Take the exit onto IL 29
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
IL 29
Toward IL 29 North: Downtown Peoria
18
Continue on Spalding Avenue
452 ft
·
20 sec
·
Spalding Avenue
19
Turn left onto IL 29
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Northeast Jefferson Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Northeast Jefferson Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 24-minute duration, departing Buffalo Grove in the morning will have you arriving in Peoria with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one stop suggested, you can easily complete this trip without needing to split it overnight. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 105.2-mile stretch on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, as services might be less frequent. Planning your single stop around the halfway point can help break up the drive comfortably and ensure you remain refreshed for the remainder of your 175.9-mile journey.
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 88 miles from Buffalo Grove, IL, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.2 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 39 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88 miles or 1h 46m 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 48m
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 Buffalo Grove, 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 Buffalo Grove, IL
This is one driving day of about 175.9 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Buffalo Grove, 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 105.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
88 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 88 miles from Buffalo Grove, 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 105.2 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 165 decision points cluster between mile 8.5 and 36.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
8.5 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
IL 53
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53 toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
8
15.5 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
I 355
Keep slight left at fork onto I 355 toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 7
Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
8
35.6 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Take the exit toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12A
Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
7
35.9 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Joliet Road South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Joliet Road South
7
36.3 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.50 one way
$55.00 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.19 | $60.39 |
| premium | $4.89 | $33.85 | $67.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.84 | $77.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.8 | 0 | $18.47 | $8.44 |
| Efficient EV | 44 | 0 | $15.39 | $7.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.4 | 0 | $24.63 | $11.26 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Destination
Peoria, IL
Afternoon in Peoria on Sunday
Local time
3:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°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
12 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 24m 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.
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 36.4
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?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 96% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll spend most of your time on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I-74, experiencing a predominantly fast-paced journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch measures 105.2 miles on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, meaning you can settle in for a significant period without major changes in road type. While largely consistent, the transition to I-74 will continue this efficient travel pattern. Expect a smooth, predictable driving experience for the majority of this trip.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.2 mi on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 74. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.5 miles in near IL 53.
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 16 significant decision points across 175.9 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 8.5 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.5 miles (I 355): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Buffalo Grove, IL and Peoria, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Joliet Road South.
Saint Louis
35.6 mi in
|
~48m
Joliet Road South
35.9 mi in
|
~48m
About the Cities
Starting in Buffalo Grove, IL
Full guide →Founded 1958
Buffalo Grove is a village in Chicagoland, in both Lake and Cook counties, around 30 miles northwest of downtown Chicago.
Arriving in Peoria, IL
Full guide →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.
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 3h 24m. Total distance: 175.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m 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 105.2 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 8.5 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.5 miles (I 355): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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