Energy, IL to North Peoria, IL is 240.5 miles and takes about 4h 45m via Ken Gray Expressway and I-55, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, primarily traversing Illinois. It's a single-day trip that offers a straightforward route between these two points. The majority of the trip is on highways, making it a relatively efficient way to cover the distance. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct connection between Southern and Central Illinois.
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
120.3 miles from Energy, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ken Gray Expressway
57.1 mi
1h 1m
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
— 57.1 mi, about 1h 1m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 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 Energy, IL and North Peoria, IL.
1
Start on West College Street
15 ft·7 sec·West College Street
2
Turn left onto IL 148
0.8 mi·1 min·North Pershing Street
3
Continue on IL 148
1.8 mi·3 min·South Park Avenue
4
Turn right onto East Herrin Street
1.4 mi·2 min·East Herrin Street
5
Continue on Herrin Road
3.3 mi·4 min·Herrin Road
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
7
Merge onto I 57
37 mi·39 min·Ken Gray Expressway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
20 mi·22 min·Ken Gray Expressway
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
10
Merge onto US 50
2.4 mi·2 min·West Main Street
11
Continue on US 50
2.7 mi·3 min·East Poplar Street
12
Continue on US 50
2.7 mi·3 min·Poplar
13
Turn right onto US 51
10 mi·11 min·150E
14
Continue on US 51
13 mi·15 min·300E
15
Turn left onto US 40; US 51; IL 185
0.5 mi·35 sec·US 40; US 51; IL 185
16
Turn right onto US 40; US 51; IL 185
1.6 mi·1 min·North Kennedy Boulevard
17
Continue on US 51
11 mi·12 min·County Road 875 East
18
Continue on US 51
15 mi·17 min·South Superior Street
19
Continue on US 51
2.0 mi·2 min·County Road 2400 East
20
Continue on US 51
0.6 mi·2 min·Fair Avenue
21
Continue on US 51
0.3 mi·29 sec·South Poplar Street
22
Turn left onto IL 16
0.4 mi·1 min·West 2nd Street
23
Turn right onto South State Street
0.2 mi·52 sec·South State Street
24
Turn left onto IL 29
0.3 mi·45 sec·West Washington Street
25
Continue on IL 29
5.4 mi·7 min·N 2000 East Road
26
Continue on IL 29
5.1 mi·7 min·State Route 29
27
Continue on East Park Street
5.3 mi·7 min·East Park Street
28
Turn right onto IL 29
0.4 mi·32 sec·North Webster Street
29
Continue on IL 29
16 mi·18 min·West Springfield Road
Use the straight lane.
30
Continue on IL 29
1.3 mi·1 min·IL 29
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on IL 29
5.4 mi·7 min·IL 29
Use the straight lane.
32
Continue on IL 29
0.5 mi·41 sec·IL 29
Use the straight lane.
33
Take the exit
0.5 mi·54 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 72 East
34
Merge onto I 55; I 72; US 36
30 mi·32 min·I 55; I 72; US 36
35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 155
32 mi·34 min·I 155
Exit 127Toward I 155 North: Peoria, Hartsburg
36
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
37
Merge onto I 74
1.0 mi·1 min·I 74
38
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
6.7 mi·8 min·I 74
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
39
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward IL 40 North: Knoxville Avenue
40
Turn straight onto IL 40
1.0 mi·1 min·North Knoxville Avenue
41
Turn right onto East McClure Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·East McClure Avenue
42
Arrive at destination
East McClure Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 4h 45m drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid late-night driving. With only one recommended stop, you can take your time or bypass it altogether if needed, as the longest stretch is manageable. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially with an estimated cost of $37, and plan your fill-up accordingly. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, be aware of the 57.1-mile stretch on the Ken Gray Expressway, which could be a good point to assess your progress and consider a brief break.
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 120.3 miles from Energy, IL, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.1 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 53 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.3 miles or 2h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 55m
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 Energy, 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 Energy, IL
This is one driving day of about 240.5 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Energy, 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 57.1 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 44.1 and 198.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
44.1 mi into trip|~51m in|I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
5
64.6 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Take the exit toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
5
128.3 mi into trip|~2h 30m in|IL 29 / West Washington Street
Turn left onto IL 29 / West Washington Street
Navigation decision point
5
167.8 mi into trip|~3h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 55 North, I 72 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, I 72 East
7
198.2 mi into trip|~3h 56m 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
$35.52 one way
$71.03 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$39.21
$78.42
premium
$4.72
$44.65
$89.31
diesel
$4.80
$45.41
$90.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.2
0
$25.25
$11.54
Efficient EV
60.1
0
$21.04
$9.62
EV Truck/SUV
96.2
1
$33.67
$15.39
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% 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
Energy, IL
Late night
in Energy on Monday
Local time
1:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 8 mph17% 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
Late night
in North Peoria on Monday
Local time
1:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 8 to 12 mph61% 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
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 45m 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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 165.9
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 58% of this 240.5-mile trip on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 57.1 miles, found on the Ken Gray Expressway. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface roads, with the transition likely occurring as you get closer to populated areas. The route includes segments that are primarily highway, interspersed with sections where you'll encounter more local traffic and intersections.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.1 mi on Ken Gray Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 44.1 miles in near I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway.
Driving Effort9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 240.5 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 44.1 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 64.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.3 miles (IL 29 / West Washington Street): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
665 ft429 ft
Total Climb
343 ft
Total Descent
169 ft
Highest Point
665 ft
~120.3 mi in
Elevation Range
236 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Energy, IL and North Peoria, IL, road signs point toward Sandoval and Hartsburg.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 45m. Total distance: 240.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57.1 miles on Ken Gray 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.
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 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 44.1 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 64.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.3 miles (IL 29 / West Washington Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at North Peoria, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
