Highland, IL to Peoria, IL is 152.5 miles and takes about 2h 57m via I 55 and I 155, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It’s a straightforward drive primarily on interstates, making it a convenient option for a single-day journey. You'll find the route generally efficient, allowing you to reach your destination with minimal fuss. Consider this a practical choice when you need to get from point A to point B without extensive detours.
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
76.3 miles from Highland, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
93.2 mi
1h 40m
I 155
32 mi
34m
IL 4
9.9 mi
14m
IL 143
7.6 mi
13m
I 74
7 mi
8m
Poplar Street
0.7 mi
1m
US Highway 40
0.5 mi
<1m
IL 29
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 93.2 mi, about 1h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Highland, IL and Peoria, IL.
1
Start on this road
104 ft·2 sec·this road
2
Continue
123 ft·2 sec
3
Turn straight onto IL 160
0.7 mi·1 min·Poplar Street
4
Enter roundabout onto US Highway 40
274 ft·4 sec·US Highway 40
5
Continue on US Highway 40
0.5 mi·47 sec·US Highway 40
6
Continue on IL 143
7.6 mi·13 min·IL 143
Use the right lane.
7
Turn right onto IL 4
9.9 mi·14 min·IL 4
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
9
Merge onto I 55
93 mi·1 hr 40 min·I 55
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 155
32 mi·34 min·I 155
Exit 127Toward I 155 North: Peoria, Hartsburg
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
12
Merge onto I 74
1.0 mi·1 min·I 74
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
6.0 mi·7 min·I 74
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
14
Take the exit onto IL 29
0.2 mi·23 sec·IL 29
Toward IL 29 North: Downtown Peoria
15
Continue on Spalding Avenue
452 ft·20 sec·Spalding Avenue
16
Turn left onto IL 29
0.2 mi·16 sec·Northeast Jefferson Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
Northeast Jefferson Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under 3 hours, this trip is easily achievable in a single day. Leaving anytime in the morning will give you ample time to arrive and settle in before evening. You'll want to note the longest stretch without a major exit is 93.2 miles on I 55, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before embarking on that segment. With only one recommended stop and a straightforward path, flexibility is key; however, ensure your fuel tank is adequately filled before heading onto I 55, especially if you plan to delay your first fill-up.
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 76.3 miles from Highland, IL, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.2 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 34 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.3 miles or 1h 32m 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 25m
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 Highland, 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 Highland, IL
This is one driving day of about 152.5 miles and 2h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Highland, 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 93.2 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 152.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|US Highway 40
Enter roundabout onto US Highway 40
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
112.2 mi into trip|~2h 11m 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
5
144.2 mi into trip|~2h 46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 74 West: Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
5
146.1 mi into trip|~2h 49m in|I 74
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74 toward I 74 West: Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
5
152.4 mi into trip|~2h 57m in|IL 29 / Northeast Jefferson Avenue
Turn left onto IL 29 / Northeast Jefferson Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.84 one way
$47.68 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$26.18
$52.35
premium
$4.89
$29.35
$58.69
diesel
$5.61
$33.67
$67.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.8
0
$16.01
$7.32
Efficient EV
38.1
0
$13.34
$6.10
EV Truck/SUV
61
0
$21.35
$9.76
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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 21, 2026
Origin
Highland, IL
Late night
in Highland on Tuesday
Local time
5:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Peoria, IL
Late night
in Peoria on Tuesday
Local time
5:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Partly Cloudy
S 6 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
75°F
Grandview, IL
76 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
5 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
2h 57m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 99% of the route utilizing major highways like I 55 and I 155. Expect a consistent pace for most of your journey, as the majority of the drive is on high-speed roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 93.2 miles on I 55. While primarily interstate, there's a brief segment on IL 4, offering a slight variation in scenery before you rejoin the faster roads. The road character remains largely consistent, prioritizing efficiency over winding country lanes.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 93.2 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 155. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near US Highway 40.
Driving Effort6/10
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 152.5 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.7 miles (US Highway 40): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 112.2 miles (I 155): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Highland, IL to Peoria, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Hartsburg along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 57m. Total distance: 152.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 93.2 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 0.7 miles (US Highway 40): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 112.2 miles (I 155): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. 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 Peoria, IL before heading back.
