Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Mendota, IL to Peoria, IL

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 42m

Distance

81.2 mi

131 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 35m ★
6 AM
1h 43m
8 AM
1h 58m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 47m
3 PM
1h 49m
5 PM
1h 57m
8 PM
1h 38m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in Illinois, United States

Mendota, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Peoria, IL, IL

Peoria, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 81.2-mile drive from Mendota to Peoria, Illinois, is easily manageable as a day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 42 minutes. The majority of your journey, about 67% highway, will be on routes like IL 29 and I-80/I-180, offering a direct path through the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of around $13, this trip is quite budget-friendly. It’s a practical route for getting between these two Illinois locations without much fuss. You won't need to worry about breaking this up overnight; it's designed for a single, efficient drive.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

40.6 miles from Mendota, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
IL 29 32.6 mi 38m
I 80 13.2 mi 14m
I 180 8.7 mi 9m
North Galena Road 7.3 mi 10m
East 2nd Road 7 mi 10m
13th Avenue 5.4 mi 8m
Northeast Jefferson Avenue 1.7 mi 2m
Northeast Adams Street 1.2 mi 1m
Longest stretch: IL 29 — 32.6 mi, about 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mendota, IL and Peoria, IL.

1

Start on 7th Avenue

124 ft · 10 sec · 7th Avenue
2

Turn left onto US 34

212 ft · 5 sec · 6th Street
3

Turn right onto US 34

166 ft · 7 sec · Main Street
4

Turn left onto US 34

0.5 mi · 49 sec · Washington Street
5

Turn left onto US 52; IL 251

5.4 mi · 8 min · 13th Avenue
6

Continue on IL 251

7.0 mi · 10 min · East 2nd Road
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island
8

Merge onto I 80

13 mi · 14 min · I 80
9

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 2 min
Toward I 180 South: Hennepin
10

Continue on I 180

8.7 mi · 9 min · I 180
11

Keep slight right at fork

2.1 mi · 2 min
Toward Peoria
12

Continue on IL 29

33 mi · 38 min · IL 29
13

Continue on IL 29

7.3 mi · 10 min · North Galena Road
14

Continue on IL 29

1.2 mi · 1 min · Northeast Adams Street
15

Continue on IL 29

1.7 mi · 2 min · Northeast Jefferson Avenue
16

Arrive at destination

Northeast Jefferson Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of about 1 hour and 42 minutes for this 81.2-mile trip, you have flexibility in when you depart. Consider leaving Mendota in the morning to arrive in Peoria with plenty of the day ahead. With a fuel cost around $13, keeping your tank topped up is easy and inexpensive. There are no specific stops mandated by the route itself, so feel free to take breaks as needed, perhaps after the longest stretch of 32.6 miles on IL 29. Plan for smooth sailing on this mostly highway journey.

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 40.6 miles from Mendota, IL, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.6 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 18 miles or 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 40.6 miles or 51m 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 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 Mendota, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Mendota, IL

This is one driving day of about 81.2 miles and 1h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Mendota, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on IL 29 for about 32.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in northeast Peoria County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Chillicothe, IL

41 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

Ladd, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Depue, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 40.6 miles from Mendota, 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop

El Rey Del Taco Mendota

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Mendota, Illinois

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+18155397100

Haddad's Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Peoria, Illinois

1.2 mi

El Rey Del Taco Mendota

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Mendota, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+18155397100

Haddad's Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–7:30 pm

+13096725339

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

East Peoria, Illinois

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Peoria, Illinois

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 5 am–12 pm

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13094948850

Visit website

Holiday Inn Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 36.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 34 / 6th Street

Turn left onto US 34 / 6th Street

Navigation decision point

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 34 / Main Street

Turn right onto US 34 / Main Street

Navigation decision point

4
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 52; IL 251 / 13th Avenue

Turn left onto US 52; IL 251 / 13th Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
13.1 mi into trip | ~19m in

Take the ramp toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island
5
36.3 mi into trip | ~46m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Peoria

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward Peoria

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.69 one way

$25.39 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 28 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $13.94 $27.88
premium $4.89 $15.63 $31.25
diesel $5.61 $17.93 $35.86

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 28.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 24.4 0 $8.53 $3.90
Efficient EV 20.3 0 $7.10 $3.25
EV Truck/SUV 32.5 0 $11.37 $5.20

Gas CO2

28 kg

EV CO2

10 kg (64% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Mendota, IL

Morning in Mendota on Tuesday

Local time

7:02 AM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Peoria, IL

Morning in Peoria on Tuesday

Local time

7:02 AM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

67°F

Chillicothe, IL

41 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

21 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

1h 42m 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?

Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 81.2-mile route, with 67% of the drive taking place on major roads including IL 29 and I-80/I-180. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 32.6 miles on IL 29, allowing for a good period of consistent travel. While primarily highway, the route may offer some variation as you transition between these different road types. It’s less about winding country lanes and more about covering ground efficiently.

67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.6 mi on IL 29.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on IL 29 and I 80. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 34 / 6th Street.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 1h 42m 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: near the start (US 34 / 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 34 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (US 52; IL 251 / 13th Avenue): Navigation decision point.

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 Mendota, IL to Peoria, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Rock Island along the way.

Rock Island

13.1 mi in | ~19m

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 1h 42m. Total distance: 81.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (67%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 32.6 miles on IL 29. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 34 / 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 34 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (US 52; IL 251 / 13th Avenue): Navigation decision point.

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Peoria, IL

Unity, IL 286.4 mi · 5h 44m Eagle, IL 264.3 mi · 5h 53m Goreville, IL 250.7 mi · 4h 55m Energy, IL 238.6 mi · 4h 44m

More from Mendota, IL

Chicago, IL 106.1 mi · 2h 7m Naperville, IL 77.4 mi · 1h 29m Elgin, IL 76.6 mi · 1h 41m Joliet, IL 71.7 mi · 1h 22m

More trips to Peoria, IL

Saline, IL 263 mi Cambria, IL 243.3 mi Carbondale, IL 239.8 mi Dale, IL 235.1 mi Zeigler, IL 232.3 mi Fairfield, IL 223.6 mi
Escape planner: Mendota, IL Scenic drives in IL

Explore more options from Mendota, IL or browse trips ending in Peoria, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.