Rail Splitter Rest Area - Northbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Frankfort, IL to North Peoria, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 32m
Distance
230.2 mi
370 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 20m
★
6 AM
4h 33m
8 AM
5h 0m
10 AM
4h 42m
12 PM
4h 40m
3 PM
4h 44m
5 PM
4h 58m
8 PM
4h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Frankfort, IL
Wikimedia Commons
North Peoria, IL
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Frankfort, IL to North Peoria, IL is 230.2 miles and takes about 4h 32m via Ken Gray Expressway and I-155, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region of the Chicago metro area towards the central Illinois landscape. You'll mostly be on highways, making for a straightforward drive. It’s a good option if you need to get between these two points efficiently without extensive planning.
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
115.1 miles from Frankfort, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ken Gray Expressway | 51.4 mi | 55m |
| 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
— 51.4 mi, about 55m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,955 veh/hr typical · worst 2,420
Quietest
2 AM
~176 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 49 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 Frankfort, IL and North Peoria, IL.
1
Start on East Saint Louis Street
98 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Saint Louis Street
2
Turn left onto North Benton Road
0.1 mi
·
37 sec
·
North Benton Road
3
Turn right onto IL 149
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
East Main Street
4
Enter roundabout
20 ft
·
0 sec
5
Continue
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
6
Merge onto I 57
31 mi
·
33 min
·
Ken Gray Expressway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Ken Gray Expressway
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
9
Merge onto US 50
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
10
Continue on US 50
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
East Poplar Street
11
Continue on US 50
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Poplar
12
Turn right onto US 51
10 mi
·
11 min
·
150E
13
Continue on US 51
13 mi
·
15 min
·
300E
14
Turn left onto US 40; US 51; IL 185
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
US 40; US 51; IL 185
15
Turn right onto US 40; US 51; IL 185
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Kennedy Boulevard
16
Continue on US 51
11 mi
·
12 min
·
County Road 875 East
17
Continue on US 51
15 mi
·
17 min
·
South Superior Street
18
Continue on US 51
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road 2400 East
19
Continue on US 51
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Fair Avenue
20
Continue on US 51
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
South Poplar Street
21
Turn left onto IL 16
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West 2nd Street
22
Turn right onto South State Street
0.2 mi
·
52 sec
·
South State Street
23
Turn left onto IL 29
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
West Washington Street
24
Continue on IL 29
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
N 2000 East Road
25
Continue on IL 29
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
State Route 29
26
Continue on East Park Street
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
East Park Street
27
Turn right onto IL 29
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
North Webster Street
28
Continue on IL 29
16 mi
·
18 min
·
West Springfield Road
Use the straight lane.
29
Continue on IL 29
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
IL 29
Use the straight lane.
30
Continue on IL 29
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
IL 29
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on IL 29
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
·
IL 29
Use the straight lane.
32
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 72 East
33
Merge onto I 55; I 72; US 36
30 mi
·
32 min
·
I 55; I 72; US 36
34
Keep slight left at fork onto I 155
32 mi
·
34 min
·
I 155
Exit 127
Toward I 155 North: Peoria, Hartsburg
35
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
36
Merge onto I 74
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 74
37
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
6.7 mi
·
8 min
·
I 74
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
38
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward IL 40 North: Knoxville Avenue
39
Turn straight onto IL 40
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Knoxville Avenue
40
Turn right onto East McClure Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East McClure Avenue
41
Arrive at destination
East McClure Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 4.5-hour drive, leaving in the morning gives you plenty of daylight to reach North Peoria. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you approach the $35 budget, and note that the longest stretch without a major change in road type is over 50 miles. Since this is a single-day trip, you can depart at your convenience, but consider traffic around the Chicago area if you're leaving during peak hours.
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 115.1 miles from Frankfort, IL, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.4 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 51 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.1 miles or 2h 10m 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 44m
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 Frankfort, 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 Frankfort, IL
This is one driving day of about 230.2 miles and 4h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Frankfort, 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 51.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
115 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
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.
Post Oak Rest Area - Northbound
0 mi from route
Jack Flash
0 mi from route
Rail Splitter Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Post Oak Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Rend Lake Rest Area (I57-SB)
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Rend Lake Rest Area - Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.4 mi from route
TA
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.5 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.6 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 33.8 and 187.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
33.8 mi into trip
|
~38m 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
54.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 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
118 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m in
|
IL 29 / West Washington Street
Turn left onto IL 29 / West Washington Street
Navigation decision point
5
157.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m 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
187.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 43m 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
$35.12 one way
$70.24 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.27 | $38.68 | $77.36 |
| premium | $4.81 | $43.56 | $87.11 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $48.97 | $97.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.1 | 0 | $24.17 | $11.05 |
| Efficient EV | 57.6 | 0 | $20.14 | $9.21 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 92.1 | 1 | $32.23 | $14.73 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Origin
Frankfort, IL
Night in Frankfort on Saturday
Local time
10:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
WNW 2 mph
15% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 9:36PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 9:32PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
North Peoria, IL
Night in North Peoria on Saturday
Local time
10:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Mostly Clear
N 6 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 9:36PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 9:32PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
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
7 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 32m 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
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 158.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 58% highway, meaning you'll spend a good chunk of your time on faster roads. Expect a longest stretch of 51.4 miles on the Ken Gray Expressway before transitioning to I-155. The profile is mixed highway and surface, so be prepared for some sections with more local traffic and exits as you move off the main interstates.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.4 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 33.8 miles in near I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway.
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 20 significant decision points across 230.2 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 33.8 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 54.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118 miles (IL 29 / West Washington Street): Navigation decision point.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Frankfort, IL and North Peoria, IL, road signs point toward Sandoval and Hartsburg.
Sandoval
54.2 mi in
|
~1h
Hartsburg
187.8 mi in
|
~3h 43m
|
via I 155
About the Cities
Starting in Frankfort, IL
Full guide →Founded 1879
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 4h 32m. Total distance: 230.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.4 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 33.8 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 54.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118 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 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at North 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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