Jackson, IL to Peoria, IL is 222.5 miles and takes about 4h 36m via I 74 and I 57, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. With 88% of the route on highways, you'll find this to be a straightforward drive focused on efficient travel between these two points. It's a good option if you're looking for a relatively quick trip with minimal fuss and a predictable fuel cost.
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
111.2 miles from Jackson, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 74
85.8 mi
1h 33m
I 57
47.4 mi
50m
IL 33
36.3 mi
53m
US 50
18.6 mi
25m
South Van Buren Street
11 mi
15m
County Road 1100 East
6.7 mi
9m
Illinois Route 16
5.3 mi
7m
US 50 Business
2.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 74
— 85.8 mi, about 1h 33m
Traffic on I-74
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,516 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,778
Quietest
2 AM
~101 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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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 Jackson, IL and Peoria, IL.
1
Start on 990N
0.1 mi·27 sec·990N
2
Turn sharp left onto US 50 Business
2.5 mi·3 min·US 50 Business
3
Continue on State Street
0.3 mi·29 sec·State Street
4
Take the ramp onto US 50 Business
0.4 mi·1 min·US 50 Business
5
Continue on US 50
19 mi·25 min·US 50
6
Turn right onto East Main Street
1.1 mi·2 min·East Main Street
7
Turn right onto North Lincoln Avenue
481 ft·18 sec·North Lincoln Avenue
8
Turn left onto East Butler Street
1.3 mi·3 min·East Butler Street
9
Turn right onto IL 130
1.3 mi·2 min·North West Street
10
Continue on IL 130
6.7 mi·9 min·County Road 1100 East
11
Continue on IL 130
11 mi·15 min·South Van Buren Street
12
Turn right onto IL 33; IL 130
36 mi·53 min·IL 33; IL 130
13
Turn left onto IL 16
2.5 mi·4 min·Lincoln Avenue
14
Continue on IL 16
5.3 mi·7 min·Illinois Route 16
15
Continue on IL 16
0.4 mi·38 sec·Charleston Avenue East
16
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
17
Merge onto I 57
47 mi·50 min·I 57
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 237BToward I 74 West: Peoria
19
Merge onto I 74
51 mi·55 min·I 74
20
Take the exit onto I 74
28 mi·30 min·I 74
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
6.0 mi·7 min·I 74
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
22
Take the exit onto IL 29
0.2 mi·23 sec·IL 29
Toward IL 29 North: Downtown Peoria
23
Continue on Spalding Avenue
452 ft·20 sec·Spalding Avenue
24
Turn left onto IL 29
0.2 mi·16 sec·Northeast Jefferson Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
Northeast Jefferson Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 4.5-hour drive, leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Peoria before evening. Since it's a single-day trip, you can be flexible with your departure time. The longest continuous highway stretch is 85.8 miles on I 74, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, keeping in mind the estimated $35 fuel cost. While there's only one suggested stop, feel free to take breaks as needed to stay alert. Pay attention to exit numbers as you get closer to Peoria to ensure you don't miss your turn.
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 111.2 miles from Jackson, IL, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.8 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 49 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.2 miles or 2h 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 3h 51m
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 Jackson, 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 Jackson, IL
This is one driving day of about 222.5 miles and 4h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Jackson, 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 74 for about 85.8 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 0.1 and 222.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 50 Business
Turn sharp left onto US 50 Business
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
4
23.2 mi into trip|~33m in|East Butler Street
Turn left onto East Butler Street
Navigation decision point
5
135.8 mi into trip|~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward I 74 West: Peoria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 237B
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
5
216.1 mi into trip|~4h 28m 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
222.3 mi into trip|~4h 36m in|IL 29 / Northeast Jefferson Avenue
Turn left onto IL 29 / Northeast Jefferson Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.86 one way
$65.72 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$36.27
$72.55
premium
$4.72
$41.31
$82.62
diesel
$4.80
$42.01
$84.02
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.8
0
$23.36
$10.68
Efficient EV
55.6
0
$19.47
$8.90
EV Truck/SUV
89
1
$31.15
$14.24
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Jackson, IL
Night
in Jackson on Sunday
Local time
10:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 12 mph27% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:04PM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 12:23PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Peoria, IL
Night
in Peoria on Sunday
Local time
10:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 9 mph44% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:04PM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 12:23PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
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
1 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
4h 36m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway cruising, with 88% of the 222.5 miles on major interstates like I 74 and I 57. You'll experience a long stretch of 85.8 miles on I 74 without needing to exit. Surface roads make up the remaining 12% of the trip, generally occurring near your start and end points. Expect to encounter frequent exits as you approach your destination in Peoria.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.8 mi on I 74.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 74 and I 57. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 50 Business.
Driving Effort5/10
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 222.5 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.1 miles (US 50 Business): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 23.2 miles (East Butler Street): Navigation decision point; at 135.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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 4h 36m. Total distance: 222.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 36m 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 85.8 miles on I 74. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 50 Business): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 23.2 miles (East Butler Street): Navigation decision point; at 135.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Peoria, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
