Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Harvard, 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
3h 14m
Distance
164.2 mi
264 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 3m
★
6 AM
3h 14m
8 AM
3h 38m
10 AM
3h 23m
12 PM
3h 20m
3 PM
3h 24m
5 PM
3h 37m
8 PM
3h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Harvard, IL
Wikimedia Commons
North Peoria, IL
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Harvard, IL to North Peoria, IL is 164.2 miles and takes about 3h 14m via I 39 and I 80, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, primarily traversing Illinois. With 77% of the drive on highways, expect a relatively straightforward trip focused on covering ground efficiently. This route is a solid choice for a single-day drive, allowing ample time for departure and arrival without feeling rushed. Plan for a single stop to break up the drive, making it manageable and convenient.
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
82.1 miles from Harvard, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 39 | 63.6 mi | 1h 8m |
| IL 29 | 32.6 mi | 38m |
| I 80 | 16.7 mi | 17m |
| West Brink Street | 12.4 mi | 17m |
| I 180 | 8.7 mi | 9m |
| Jane Addams Memorial Tollway | 8.3 mi | 8m |
| North Galena Road | 7.3 mi | 10m |
| State Route 173 | 5.6 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
I 39
— 63.6 mi, about 1h 8m
Traffic on I-39
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 2 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,252 veh/hr typical · worst 1,626
Quietest
midnight
~126 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 50 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 Harvard, IL and North Peoria, IL.
1
Start on US 14
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
North Division Street
2
Turn right onto IL 173
12 mi
·
17 min
·
West Brink Street
3
Continue on IL 173
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
State Route 173
4
Continue on IL 173
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West Lane Road
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
6
Merge onto I 39; I 90; US 51
8.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; US 51
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
I 39; US 51
Toward I 39, US 51 South: Bloomington
8
Continue on I 39; US 20; US 51
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 39; US 20; US 51
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; US 51
61 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
I 39; US 51
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
Exit 59B
Toward I 80 West: La Salle-Peru, Des Moines
11
Merge onto I 80
17 mi
·
17 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 180 South: Hennepin
13
Continue on I 180
8.7 mi
·
9 min
·
I 180
14
Keep slight right at fork
2.1 mi
·
2 min
Toward Peoria
15
Continue on IL 29
33 mi
·
38 min
·
IL 29
16
Continue on IL 29
7.3 mi
·
10 min
·
North Galena Road
17
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward 150: War Memorial Drive
18
Merge onto US 150
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
East War Memorial Drive
19
Turn left onto North Prospect Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Prospect Road
20
Turn right onto East McClure Avenue
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
East McClure Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
East McClure Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3h 14m duration, you can comfortably depart Harvard, IL any time in the morning and arrive in North Peoria, IL the same day. The $25 fuel cost suggests filling up before you leave or at a strategically located station, as there's only one recommended stop. Consider making your stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs and grab a quick bite. The longest stretch without a major exit is 63.6 miles on I 39, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration of continuous driving before you head out or plan your break accordingly. This route offers flexibility, so you can adjust your timing as needed.
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 82.1 miles from Harvard, IL, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.6 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 36 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.1 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 35m
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 Harvard, 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 Harvard, IL
This is one driving day of about 164.2 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Harvard, 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 39 for about 63.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 82.1 miles from Harvard, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 39 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.6 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.
Willow Creek Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Sapp Brothers Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.3 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.3 mi from route
Willow Creek Rest Area - Southbound
0.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.6 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
2.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 119.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.5 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IL 173 / West Brink Street
Turn right onto IL 173 / West Brink Street
Navigation decision point
6
28.8 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
I 39; US 51
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; US 51 toward I 39, US 51 South: Bloomington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 39, US 51 South: Bloomington
6
92.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: La Salle-Peru, Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 59B
Toward I 80 West: La Salle-Peru, Des Moines
5
93.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
119.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Peoria
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.05 one way
$50.10 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.27 | $27.59 | $55.18 |
| premium | $4.81 | $31.07 | $62.14 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $34.93 | $69.86 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.58
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(8.3 mi)
$0.58
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: 57.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.3 | 0 | $17.24 | $7.88 |
| Efficient EV | 41.1 | 0 | $14.37 | $6.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.7 | 0 | $22.99 | $10.51 |
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.
Origin
Harvard, IL
Late night in Harvard on Sunday
Local time
4:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
North Peoria, IL
Late night in North Peoria on Sunday
Local time
4:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Mostly Clear
ENE 7 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
44°F
Washburn, IL
82 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
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
3h 14m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 77% of the 164.2 miles on major interstates like I 39 and I 80. You'll experience a consistent cruising pace for much of the trip, including a longest stretch of 63.6 miles on I 39. The transition to surface roads, like IL 29, will occur later in the drive, offering a change of pace with more local traffic and varied speed limits. Expect a relatively smooth ride with fewer complex merges or exits for the majority of the route.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.6 mi on I 39.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 39 and IL 29. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near IL 173 / West Brink Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 164.2 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (IL 173 / West Brink Street): Navigation decision point; at 28.8 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Harvard, IL and North Peoria, IL, road signs point toward Des Moines and Peoria.
Des Moines
92.5 mi in
|
~1h 47m
Peoria
119.5 mi in
|
~2h 17m
About the Cities
Starting in Harvard, IL
Full guide →Harvard is a small town (pop. 9500 as of 2010) in northeastern 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 14m. Total distance: 164.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.6 miles on I 39. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.58 in tolls one way, starting with Jane Addams 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 13 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (IL 173 / West Brink Street): Navigation decision point; at 28.8 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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