Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 11m
Distance
49.6 mi
80 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kewanee, IL
Mike Tyurin
Peoria, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Kewanee to Peoria is 49.6 miles and takes about 1 hour 11 minutes via IL 78 and I-74, with a fuel budget near $8 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, moving from one Midwest community to another. It's a short hop, perfect for a quick trip when you need to get from point A to point B without a major time commitment. Expect a straightforward journey with minimal fuss, ideal if you're looking for efficiency over extensive sightseeing. Plan for this to be a simple transit day, getting you to your destination with plenty of time to spare.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| IL 78 | 22.2 mi | 35m |
| I 74 | 20.8 mi | 23m |
| Tenney Street | 4.5 mi | 7m |
| North Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Fayette Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Northeast Jefferson Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East 3rd Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Kewanee, IL and Peoria, IL.
Start on East 3rd Street
Turn left onto IL 78
Continue on US 34; IL 78
Turn left onto IL 78
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 74
Take the exit
Continue on Fayette Street
Turn right onto Northeast Jefferson Avenue
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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.
A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 24.8 miles from Kewanee, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 49.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto IL 78 / North Main Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto IL 78
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp toward I 74 East
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward IL 40 South: Downtown Peoria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn right onto Northeast Jefferson Avenue
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$7.75 one way
$15.51 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $8.51 | $17.03 |
| premium | $4.89 | $9.55 | $19.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.95 | $21.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.9 | 0 | $5.21 | $2.38 |
| Efficient EV | 12.4 | 0 | $4.34 | $1.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.8 | 0 | $6.94 | $3.17 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Kewanee on Tuesday
Local time
3:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Destination
Late night in Peoria on Tuesday
Local time
3:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This route is predominantly highway-focused, with 87% of the drive taking place on faster roads. You'll spend a good portion of your time on IL 78 and I-74, which offer a smooth and direct path. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 22.2 miles on IL 78, providing a solid period of consistent driving. While largely a highway experience, the inclusion of Tenney Street indicates a transition into more local road environments as you approach your destination. Overall, anticipate a driving personality geared towards covering ground efficiently.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on IL 78 and I 74. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IL 78 / North Main Street.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Kewanee, IL to Peoria, IL is easy. At 1h 11m with 87% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IL 78 / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.3 miles (IL 78): Navigation decision point; at 27.5 miles: Navigation decision point.
Founded 1854
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 11m. Total distance: 49.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Straightforward navigation.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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