Fairmont to North Peoria is 134.2 miles and takes about 2h 36m via I 55 and I 74, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, connecting two points in the Midwest. With 95% highway driving, expect a straightforward trip focused on covering ground efficiently. This route is best suited for travelers looking for a quick, no-fuss connection between these two Illinois locations.
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
67.1 miles from Fairmont, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
86.6 mi
1h 33m
I 74
34.1 mi
37m
I 80
7 mi
8m
Collins Street
2 mi
4m
North Knoxville Avenue
1 mi
1m
Richards Street
0.7 mi
1m
East McClure Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Princeton Avenue
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 86.6 mi, about 1h 33m
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
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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 Fairmont, IL and North Peoria, IL.
1
Start on Arthur Avenue
49 ft·7 sec·Arthur Avenue
2
Turn left onto Princeton Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Princeton Avenue
3
At end of road, turn left onto Hawthorn Place
0.1 mi·32 sec·Hawthorn Place
4
Turn left onto Amherst Avenue
222 ft·11 sec·Amherst Avenue
5
Turn right onto Harvard Street
0.2 mi·59 sec·Harvard Street
6
At end of road, turn left onto IL 171
364 ft·12 sec·South State Street
7
Continue on IL 171
2.0 mi·4 min·Collins Street
8
Continue on US 6; US 30
404 ft·18 sec·East Jefferson Street
9
Turn left onto Richards Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Richards Street
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island
11
Merge onto I 80
7.0 mi·8 min·I 80
Use the right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 126AToward I 55 South: Saint Louis
13
Merge onto I 55
87 mi·1 hr 33 min·I 55
Use the right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·49 sec
Toward I 74 West: PeoriaUse the slight right lane.
15
Continue on I 74
27 mi·29 min·I 74
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
6.7 mi·8 min·I 74
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward IL 40 North: Knoxville Avenue
18
Turn straight onto IL 40
1.0 mi·1 min·North Knoxville Avenue
19
Turn right onto East McClure Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·East McClure Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
East McClure Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 36m driving time, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid any potential rush hour congestion around Peoria. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $20, planning is minimal. The longest stretch without a major road change is 86.6 miles on I 55, so ensure you're comfortable with sustained highway cruising before setting out.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.1 miles from Fairmont, IL, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.6 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 30 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.1 miles or 1h 20m 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 7m
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 Fairmont, 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 Fairmont, IL
This is one driving day of about 134.2 miles and 2h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Fairmont, 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 55 for about 86.6 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 97.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|Hawthorn Place
At end of road, turn left onto Hawthorn Place
Navigation decision point
5
0.8 mi into trip|~3m in|IL 171 / South State Street
At end of road, turn left onto IL 171 / South State Street
Navigation decision point
5
3.8 mi into trip|~11m in|I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
10.8 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 126A
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
6
97.8 mi into trip|~1h 54m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.47 one way
$40.95 round trip
$3.88/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.27
$22.55
$45.10
premium
$4.81
$25.39
$50.78
diesel
$5.40
$28.55
$57.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.3
0
$14.09
$6.44
Efficient EV
33.6
0
$11.74
$5.37
EV Truck/SUV
53.7
0
$18.79
$8.59
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Forecast as of Apr 26, 2026
Origin
Fairmont, IL
Afternoon
in Fairmont on Sunday
Local time
1:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Mostly Sunny
E 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 26 at 11:09AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 26 at 11:09AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
North Peoria, IL
Afternoon
in North Peoria on Sunday
Local time
1:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Sunny
ESE 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 26 at 11:09AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 26 at 11:09AM 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
8 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
2h 36m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely highway, with 95% of the 134.2 miles on interstates. You'll spend the bulk of your time on I 55, which features a continuous stretch of 86.6 miles. Expect dense exits and merging traffic as you transition between I 55, I 74, and I 80. The highway driving should conclude as you approach North Peoria.
95% 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: 86.6 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 74. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Hawthorn Place.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 134.2 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 0.4 miles (Hawthorn Place): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (IL 171 / South State Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.8 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 36m. Total distance: 134.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 86.6 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (Hawthorn Place): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (IL 171 / South State Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.8 miles (I 80): 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at North Peoria, IL before heading back.
