Origin
Malta, IL
Late night in Malta on Tuesday
Local time
5:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Malta, IL to Peoria, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 24m
Distance
120.8 mi
194 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 14m
★
6 AM
2h 24m
8 AM
2h 44m
10 AM
2h 31m
12 PM
2h 29m
3 PM
2h 32m
5 PM
2h 43m
8 PM
2h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Malta, IL
Pho Tomass
Peoria, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Malta, IL to Peoria, IL is 120.8 miles and takes about 2h 24m via I 39 and IL 29, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Illinois, offering a straightforward journey through the Midwest landscape. It’s a highly efficient route, perfect for a quick trip between these two points without much fuss. Consider this if you're looking for a no-nonsense, direct connection with minimal time commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.4 miles from Malta, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 39 | 39.7 mi | 42m |
| IL 29 | 32.6 mi | 38m |
| I 80 | 16.7 mi | 17m |
| I 180 | 8.7 mi | 9m |
| IL 38 | 8 mi | 11m |
| North Galena Road | 7.3 mi | 10m |
| Northeast Jefferson Avenue | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Northeast Adams Street | 1.2 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 39
— 39.7 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Malta, IL and Peoria, IL.
1
Start on Adams Street
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Adams Street
2
Turn right onto CH 6
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto IL 38
7.6 mi
·
11 min
·
IL 38
4
Continue on IL-38
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
IL-38
5
Continue on IL 38
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
IL 38
6
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
7
Merge onto I 39; US 51
40 mi
·
42 min
·
I 39; US 51
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
Exit 59B
Toward I 80 West: La Salle-Peru, Des Moines
9
Merge onto I 80
17 mi
·
17 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 180 South: Hennepin
11
Continue on I 180
8.7 mi
·
9 min
·
I 180
12
Keep slight right at fork
2.1 mi
·
2 min
Toward Peoria
13
Continue on IL 29
33 mi
·
38 min
·
IL 29
14
Continue on IL 29
7.3 mi
·
10 min
·
North Galena Road
15
Continue on IL 29
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Adams Street
16
Continue on IL 29
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Northeast Jefferson Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
Northeast Jefferson Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 2 hours and 24 minutes, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. You can afford to be flexible with your departure time, perhaps leaving mid-morning to avoid the earliest rush. With only 120.8 miles and a fuel cost estimated at $19, extensive planning for fuel stops isn't critical, though keeping an eye on your gauge is always wise. The longest stretch is 39.7 miles on I 39, so plan a brief break before or after that if needed.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 60.4 miles from Malta, IL, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.7 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 27 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.4 miles or 1h 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 1h 55m
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 Malta, 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 Malta, IL
This is one driving day of about 120.8 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Malta, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 39 for about 39.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 60.4 miles from Malta, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 76 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
IL 38
At end of road, turn left onto IL 38
Navigation decision point
6
48.9 mi into trip
|
~57m 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
49.6 mi into trip
|
~58m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
66.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward I 180 South: Hennepin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 180 South: Hennepin
5
76 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Peoria
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.89 one way
$37.77 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.74 | $41.47 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.25 | $46.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.67 | $53.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.2 | 0 | $12.68 | $5.80 |
| Efficient EV | 30.2 | 0 | $10.57 | $4.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.3 | 0 | $16.91 | $7.73 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Peoria, IL
Late night in Peoria on Tuesday
Local time
5:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
67°F
Washburn, IL
60 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 24m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 88% of the route utilizing major roads like I 39 and I 80. You'll experience long stretches of efficient travel, including a continuous segment of 39.7 miles on I 39. The road character is largely that of a high-speed interstate, designed for covering ground quickly. Expect a consistent driving experience that prioritizes directness over varied scenery.
88% 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: 39.7 mi on I 39.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 39 and IL 29. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near IL 38.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 24m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (IL 38): Navigation decision point; at 48.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.6 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
On the drive from Malta, IL to Peoria, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Des Moines along the way.
Des Moines
48.9 mi in
|
~57m
About the Cities
Arriving in Peoria, IL
Full guide →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
- • 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
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 2h 24m. Total distance: 120.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 39.7 miles on I 39. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 0.5 miles (IL 38): Navigation decision point; at 48.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.6 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Peoria, IL before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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