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Trip from Forest Park, IL to Peoria, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 5m

Distance

162.3 mi

261 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 54m ★
6 AM
3h 5m
8 AM
3h 28m
10 AM
3h 13m
12 PM
3h 11m
3 PM
3h 14m
5 PM
3h 27m
8 PM
2h 58m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

village in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Forest Park, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Peoria, IL, IL

Peoria, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 162.3-mile journey from Forest Park, IL, to Peoria, IL, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 3 hours and 5 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I-74, and the Veterans Memorial Tollway, this highway-focused route offers a straightforward path through the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $25, it's an economical option for a quick getaway or a visit to Peoria. The drive is efficient, making it ideal for those looking to maximize their time at their destination rather than on the road.

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

81.2 miles from Forest Park, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Adlai Stevenson Expressway 105.2 mi 1h 55m
I 74 33.4 mi 36m
Veterans Memorial Tollway 8.6 mi 10m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway 7.6 mi 9m
Eisenhower Expressway 4.5 mi 6m
Des Plaines Avenue 0.4 mi 1m
IL 29 0.2 mi <1m
Northeast Jefferson Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Adlai Stevenson Expressway — 105.2 mi, about 1h 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Forest Park, IL and Peoria, IL.

1

Start on Madison Street

44 ft · 6 sec · Madison Street
2

Turn left onto Des Plaines Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Des Plaines Avenue
Use the left lane.
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward I 290 West: Eisenhower Expressway
4

Merge onto I 290; IL 110

4.5 mi · 6 min · Eisenhower Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110

1.9 mi · 2 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 15A Toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora, Indiana Use the slight left lane.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110

5.8 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 138 Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road) Use the slight right lane.
7

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 55 sec
Exit 131A Toward I 355 South: Joliet Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto I 355

8.6 mi · 10 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 12A Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward Joliet Road South Use the slight left lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto I 55

105 mi · 1 hr 55 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 49 sec
Toward I 74 West: Peoria Use the slight right lane.
14

Continue on I 74

27 mi · 29 min · I 74
15

Keep slight right at fork onto I 74

6.0 mi · 7 min · I 74
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
16

Take the exit onto IL 29

0.2 mi · 23 sec · IL 29
Toward IL 29 North: Downtown Peoria
17

Continue on Spalding Avenue

452 ft · 20 sec · Spalding Avenue
18

Turn left onto IL 29

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Northeast Jefferson Avenue
19

Arrive at destination

Northeast Jefferson Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the manageable 3-hour duration, you can easily complete this drive in a single day. Consider an early morning departure to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially when navigating the initial expressways around the Chicago metropolitan area. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey; however, ensure you're fueled up before hitting the longest stretch on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The $25 fuel estimate suggests keeping an eye on your gas gauge, particularly if you deviate from the main roads.

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 81.2 miles from Forest Park, IL, or about 1h 35m 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 36 miles or 45m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 81.2 miles or 1h 35m 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 32m

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 Forest Park, 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 Forest Park, IL

This is one driving day of about 162.3 miles and 3h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Forest Park, 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.

city in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Morris, IL

81 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

Joliet, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Reading, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 81.2 miles from Forest Park, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop

Caffe De Luca

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Forest Park, Illinois

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30

Hours: 12–9 pm

+17083669200

Visit website

Piacere Mio Italian Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Forest Park, Illinois

0.1 mi

Habrae Thai dessert cafe & restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Forest Park, Illinois

0.4 mi

Best coffee break · early in the drive

Kafé De Kasa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crest Hill, Illinois

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch · 40min in 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18156303694

Visit website

Friendly Coffee Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Berwyn, Illinois

1.5 mi

Ten Drops Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Plainfield, Illinois

2.6 mi

Caffe De Luca

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30

Forest Park, Illinois

Hours: 12–9 pm

+17083669200

Visit website

Piacere Mio Italian Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30

Forest Park, Illinois

Hours: 4–9 pm

+17083664010

Visit website

Habrae Thai dessert cafe & restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Forest Park, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–9:30 pm

+17086898852

Visit website

Taste of Jerusalem

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Plainfield, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–7:30 pm

+18157826500

Visit website

Honey Sugar's Cafe, LLC

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–8 pm

+13096431089

Visit website

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Oak Park, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17086132999

Visit website

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Downers Grove, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13312159463

Visit website

Citrine Café

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $50 to $10

Oak Park, Illinois

Hours: 4:30–10 pm

+17089487328

Visit website

Kafé De Kasa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Crest Hill, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18156303694

Visit website

Friendly Coffee Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Berwyn, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+17084849794

Visit website

Ten Drops Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Plainfield, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+16306962137

Visit website

Emmys Cafe & Gaming

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Braidwood, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+18153905133

Critical Grind Board Game Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Shorewood, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+18156304235

Visit website

Emmy's Cafe & Gaming

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Coal City, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+18155185375

Bonny's Bistro

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+18476271095

Visit website

Brick & Ivy Coffee Co.

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

Early stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Channahon, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+12176638389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Rivian Waypoints

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484261

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484273

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

East Peoria, Illinois

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Peoria, Illinois

Dock Rotz Tavern

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Minooka, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18154672200

Visit website

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 5.1 and 22.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
5.1 mi into trip | ~8m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora, Indiana

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Exit 15A Toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora...
8
6.9 mi into trip | ~10m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 138 Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
7
12.7 mi into trip | ~17m 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
22 mi into trip | ~29m 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
22.2 mi into trip | ~29m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.37 one way

$50.75 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $27.86 $55.72
premium $4.89 $31.23 $62.47
diesel $5.61 $35.83 $71.67

Estimated Tolls: $1.06

Veterans Memorial Tollway (8.6 mi) $0.60
Reagan Memorial Tollway (7.6 mi) $0.46

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

$25

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 56.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 48.7 0 $17.04 $7.79
Efficient EV 40.6 0 $14.20 $6.49
EV Truck/SUV 64.9 0 $22.72 $10.39

Gas CO2

57 kg

EV CO2

19 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 20, 2026

Origin

Forest Park, IL

Morning in Forest Park on Tuesday

Local time

10:10 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Peoria, IL

Morning in Peoria on Tuesday

Local time

10:10 AM

CDT

Current temp

68°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

6 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 5m 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

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...

17 mi from route ~41 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect an 88% highway-focused experience on this route, characterized by swift travel. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 105.2 miles on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, allowing for consistent momentum. The drive largely consists of interstate travel, offering a predictable and efficient way to cover ground. While primarily a highway experience, the transition onto I-74 will guide you toward your destination in Peoria.

88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 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 5.1 miles in near I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.

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 15 significant decision points across 162.3 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 5.1 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.9 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Forest Park, IL and Peoria, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Joliet Road South.

Saint Louis

22 mi in | ~29m

Joliet Road South

22.2 mi in | ~29m

About the Cities

Arriving in Peoria, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1680

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.

Top landmarks

  • Madison Theatre — theater and former movie theater in Peoria, Illinois, United States
  • Hotel Père Marquette — hotel in downtown Peoria, Illinois
  • Illinois Waterway Project Office — U.S. Army Core of Engineers facility in Peoria, Illinois

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 5m. Total distance: 162.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (88%). 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.

Expect about $1.06 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.

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 5.1 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.9 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

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 6.2 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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