Elmhurst, IL to Peoria Heights, IL is 153.3 miles and takes about 3h 3m via I 80 and IL 29, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. With 81% of the drive on highways, you'll spend most of your time on faster roads. The estimated fuel cost is about $23, making it an economical option for a quick trip. This route is best suited for a single-day excursion, allowing for a relaxed pace.
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
76.6 miles from Elmhurst, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
64.2 mi
1h 8m
IL 29
32.6 mi
38m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
18.1 mi
21m
I 180
8.7 mi
9m
Veterans Memorial Tollway
8.6 mi
10m
North Galena Road
5.6 mi
7m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
5.5 mi
6m
South York Street
2.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 64.2 mi, about 1h 8m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~992 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,265
Quietest
2 AM
~149 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
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 Elmhurst, IL and Peoria Heights, IL.
1
Start on this road
267 ft·25 sec·this road
2
Turn left
51 ft·9 sec
3
Turn left onto West Park Avenue
362 ft·13 sec·West Park Avenue
4
Turn right onto South York Street
2.1 mi·4 min·South York Street
5
Continue on South York Road
0.8 mi·1 min·South York Road
6
Turn right onto Frontage Road
0.1 mi·19 sec·Frontage Road
Use the right lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 88 West, IL 110: West Aurora
8
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
5.5 mi·6 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 138Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi·55 sec
Exit 131AToward I 355 South: JolietUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 355
8.6 mi·10 min·Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 12AToward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Joliet Road SouthUse the slight left lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 55
18 mi·21 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 250BToward I 80 West: IowaUse the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto I 80
64 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 180 South: Hennepin
18
Continue on I 180
8.7 mi·9 min·I 180
19
Keep slight right at fork
2.1 mi·2 min
Toward Peoria
20
Continue on IL 29
33 mi·38 min·IL 29
21
Continue on IL 29
5.6 mi·7 min·North Galena Road
22
Turn right onto East Roosevelt Road
0.4 mi·1 min·East Roosevelt Road
23
Turn right onto North Grand View Drive
0.7 mi·2 min·North Grand View Drive
24
Turn right onto North Prospect Road
5 ft·0 sec·North Prospect Road
25
Arrive at destination
North Prospect Road
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour drive, leaving Elmhurst in the morning, perhaps around 9 AM, would allow you to arrive in Peoria Heights by lunchtime. Since this is a relatively short trip with only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility. The longest continuous stretch is 64.2 miles on I 80, so plan any quick breaks before or after this segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move from the interstate onto IL 29, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination comfortably. The total fuel cost is estimated at $23.
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 76.6 miles from Elmhurst, IL, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.2 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 34 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.6 miles or 1h 31m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Peoria Heights, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elmhurst, 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 Elmhurst, IL
This is one driving day of about 153.3 miles and 3h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Elmhurst, 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 80 for about 64.2 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.4 and 18.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.4 mi into trip|~7m in|I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Merge onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 138
Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
7
8.9 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward I 355 South: Joliet
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 131A
Toward I 355 South: Joliet
8
18.2 mi into trip|~25m 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
18.5 mi into trip|~26m 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
18.8 mi into trip|~26m 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
$23.39 one way
$46.77 round trip
$3.88/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.27
$25.76
$51.52
premium
$4.81
$29.01
$58.01
diesel
$5.40
$32.61
$65.22
Estimated Tolls: $0.93
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(8.6 mi)$0.60
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(5.5 mi)$0.33
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46
0
$16.10
$7.36
Efficient EV
38.3
0
$13.41
$6.13
EV Truck/SUV
61.3
0
$21.46
$9.81
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.
Forecast as of Apr 25, 2026
Origin
Elmhurst, IL
Late night
in Elmhurst on Sunday
Local time
3:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Partly Cloudy
NNE 5 to 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 3:54PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 3:54PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Peoria Heights, IL
Late night
in Peoria Heights on Sunday
Local time
3:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Mostly Clear
N 6 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 3:54PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 3:54PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
43°F
Princeton, 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
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
3h 3m 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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 5.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway cruising, with 81% of the 153.3 miles on faster roads like I 80 and the Adlai Stevenson Expressway. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 64.2 miles on I 80 before transitioning to IL 29. Expect a more urban feel with frequent exits early on, shifting to a more rural feel as you get closer to Peoria Heights. The transition from highway to surface roads happens as you near your destination.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.2 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and IL 29. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in near I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.
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 19 significant decision points across 153.3 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 3.4 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.2 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.
Between Elmhurst, IL and Peoria Heights, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis, Joliet Road South and Peoria.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 3m. Total distance: 153.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.2 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.93 in tolls one way, starting with Veterans Memorial Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 18 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 Peoria Heights, 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 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.2 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 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Peoria Heights, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
