Crestwood, IL to North Peoria, IL is 252.2 miles and takes about 5h 2m via I-55, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest to Midwest drive stays within Illinois for its entirety. Most of your travel will be on major highways, making for a fairly straightforward trip. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion.
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
126.1 miles from Crestwood, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ken Gray Expressway
70.9 mi
1h 16m
I 155
32 mi
34m
I 55
30 mi
32m
West Springfield Road
15.7 mi
18m
South Superior Street
15.1 mi
17m
300E
13.5 mi
15m
County Road 875 East
11.1 mi
12m
150E
10.4 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
Ken Gray Expressway
— 70.9 mi, about 1h 16m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,380 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,728
Quietest
2 AM
~240 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 47 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 Crestwood, IL and North Peoria, IL.
1
Start on Pinewood Drive
385 ft·19 sec·Pinewood Drive
2
Turn right onto Ridgeway
283 ft·18 sec·Ridgeway
3
Turn left onto McKinney Chapel Road
255 ft·11 sec·McKinney Chapel Road
4
Continue on McKinney Chapel Road
0.5 mi·1 min·McKinney Chapel Road
5
Turn right onto Power Plant Road
2.7 mi·6 min·Power Plant Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto Lake Egypt Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Lake Egypt Road
7
Turn left onto IL 37
0.3 mi·31 sec·IL 37
8
At end of road, turn right onto IL 148
0.4 mi·41 sec·IL 148
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
10
Merge onto I 57
50 mi·54 min·Ken Gray Expressway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
20 mi·22 min·Ken Gray Expressway
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
13
Merge onto US 50
2.4 mi·2 min·West Main Street
14
Continue on US 50
2.7 mi·3 min·East Poplar Street
15
Continue on US 50
2.7 mi·3 min·Poplar
16
Turn right onto US 51
10 mi·11 min·150E
17
Continue on US 51
13 mi·15 min·300E
18
Turn left onto US 40; US 51; IL 185
0.5 mi·35 sec·US 40; US 51; IL 185
19
Turn right onto US 40; US 51; IL 185
1.6 mi·1 min·North Kennedy Boulevard
20
Continue on US 51
11 mi·12 min·County Road 875 East
21
Continue on US 51
15 mi·17 min·South Superior Street
22
Continue on US 51
2.0 mi·2 min·County Road 2400 East
23
Continue on US 51
0.6 mi·2 min·Fair Avenue
24
Continue on US 51
0.3 mi·29 sec·South Poplar Street
25
Turn left onto IL 16
0.4 mi·1 min·West 2nd Street
26
Turn right onto South State Street
0.2 mi·52 sec·South State Street
27
Turn left onto IL 29
0.3 mi·45 sec·West Washington Street
28
Continue on IL 29
5.4 mi·7 min·N 2000 East Road
29
Continue on IL 29
5.1 mi·7 min·State Route 29
30
Continue on East Park Street
5.3 mi·7 min·East Park Street
31
Turn right onto IL 29
0.4 mi·32 sec·North Webster Street
32
Continue on IL 29
16 mi·18 min·West Springfield Road
Use the straight lane.
33
Continue on IL 29
1.3 mi·1 min·IL 29
Use the straight lane.
34
Continue on IL 29
5.4 mi·7 min·IL 29
Use the straight lane.
35
Continue on IL 29
0.5 mi·41 sec·IL 29
Use the straight lane.
36
Take the exit
0.5 mi·54 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 72 East
37
Merge onto I 55; I 72; US 36
30 mi·32 min·I 55; I 72; US 36
38
Keep slight left at fork onto I 155
32 mi·34 min·I 155
Exit 127Toward I 155 North: Peoria, Hartsburg
39
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
40
Merge onto I 74
1.0 mi·1 min·I 74
41
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
6.7 mi·8 min·I 74
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
42
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward IL 40 North: Knoxville Avenue
43
Turn straight onto IL 40
1.0 mi·1 min·North Knoxville Avenue
44
Turn right onto East McClure Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·East McClure Avenue
45
Arrive at destination
East McClure Avenue
Trip Plan
Consider departing Crestwood in the morning to make the most of daylight hours for the 5h 2m drive. With only one stop recommended, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. The estimated fuel cost is around $38, so factor that into your budget. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 70.9-mile stretch on the Ken Gray Expressway, to avoid needing an unscheduled stop. This route's efficiency means you'll have flexibility in your departure time and can arrive in North Peoria with plenty of time to spare.
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 126.1 miles from Crestwood, IL, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.9 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 55 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.1 miles or 2h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 9m
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 Crestwood, 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 Crestwood, IL
This is one driving day of about 252.2 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Crestwood, 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 Ken Gray Expressway for about 70.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 209.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Ridgeway
Turn right onto Ridgeway
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|McKinney Chapel Road
Turn left onto McKinney Chapel Road
Navigation decision point
5
3.4 mi into trip|~9m in|Lake Egypt Road
At end of road, turn left onto Lake Egypt Road
Navigation decision point
5
4.7 mi into trip|~12m in|IL 148
At end of road, turn right onto IL 148
Navigation decision point
7
209.9 mi into trip|~4h 13m in|I 155
Keep slight left at fork onto I 155 toward I 155 North: Peoria, Hartsburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 127
Toward I 155 North: Peoria, Hartsburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.24 one way
$74.49 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$41.12
$82.23
premium
$4.72
$46.83
$93.65
diesel
$4.80
$47.62
$95.24
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.7
0
$26.48
$12.11
Efficient EV
63.1
0
$22.07
$10.09
EV Truck/SUV
100.9
1
$35.31
$16.14
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Crestwood, IL
Afternoon
in Crestwood on Sunday
Local time
2:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Clear
SW 1 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:50AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
North Peoria, IL
Afternoon
in North Peoria on Sunday
Local time
2:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
WSW 6 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:50AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
86°F
Brownstown, IL
126 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
1 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
5h 2m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 182.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 61% of this 252.2-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 70.9 miles on the Ken Gray Expressway. Expect to transition from highway cruising to surface roads as you approach your destination. The prevalence of highway driving means you'll encounter typical merging and exiting patterns common to major interstates.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.9 mi on Ken Gray Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Ken Gray Expressway and I 155. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Ridgeway.
Driving Effort10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 252.2 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 0.1 miles (Ridgeway): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (McKinney Chapel Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (Lake Egypt Road): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
665 ft432 ft
Total Climb
408 ft
Total Descent
310 ft
Highest Point
665 ft
~144.1 mi in
Elevation Range
233 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Crestwood, IL and North Peoria, IL, road signs point toward Sandoval and Hartsburg.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 2m. Total distance: 252.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.9 miles on Ken Gray Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 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.
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 North 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. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Ridgeway): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (McKinney Chapel Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (Lake Egypt Road): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at North Peoria, IL before the return drive.
