North Peoria, IL to Arcola, IL is 122.4 miles and takes about 2 hours 16 minutes via I 74 and I 57, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, moving you across the Midwest region. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that's well-suited for a single day of travel. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it an efficient way to get from point A to point B. Consider this route if you prioritize speed and simplicity for your journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
61.2 miles from North Peoria, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 74
85.4 mi
1h 32m
I 57
33 mi
35m
North Knoxville Avenue
1 mi
1m
East Springfield Road
0.7 mi
1m
East McClure Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
South Locust Street
0.3 mi
1m
North Locust Street
—
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 74
— 85.4 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Peoria, IL and Arcola, IL.
1
Start on East McClure Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·East McClure Avenue
2
Turn left onto IL 40
1.0 mi·1 min·North Knoxville Avenue
3
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 74 East: Bloomington
4
Merge onto I 74
34 mi·36 min·I 74
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
6.6 mi·7 min·I 74
Toward I 55 South, I 74 East, US 51 South: Saint Louis, Indianapolis
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; US 51
45 mi·48 min·I 74; US 51
Toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·35 sec
Exit 179Toward I 57: Chicago, Memphis
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·50 sec
Exit 179Toward I 57 South: Memphis
9
Merge onto I 57
33 mi·35 min·I 57
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·30 sec
Exit 203Toward IL 133: Arcola, Paris
11
Turn right onto IL 133
0.7 mi·1 min·East Springfield Road
12
Turn right onto South Locust Street
0.3 mi·1 min·South Locust Street
13
Arrive at destination
North Locust Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 16 minutes, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow for flexibility. With a fuel cost estimated at $19, it’s unlikely you’ll need to worry about finding gas stations frequently, though it’s always wise to keep an eye on your gauge. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 85.4 miles on I 74, so plan for a brief stop before or after this segment if you prefer to break up the driving. Since this is a short, direct route, you have plenty of time to enjoy a leisurely start to your day.
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 61.2 miles from North Peoria, IL, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.4 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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.2 miles or 1h 8m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arcola, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving North Peoria, 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 North Peoria, IL
This is one driving day of about 122.4 miles and 2h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from North Peoria, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 74 for about 85.4 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 35.4 and 121.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
35.4 mi into trip|~40m in|I 74
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74 toward I 55 South, I 74 East, US 51 South: Saint Louis, Indianapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 South, I 74 East, US 51 South: Sain...
6
41.9 mi into trip|~47m in|I 74; US 51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; US 51 toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business N...
6
87.2 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward I 57: Chicago, Memphis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 179
Toward I 57: Chicago, Memphis
6
87.5 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 57 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 179
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
6
121.1 mi into trip|~2h 13m in
Take the exit toward IL 133: Arcola, Paris
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 203
Toward IL 133: Arcola, Paris
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.14 one way
$38.27 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$21.01
$42.02
premium
$4.89
$23.55
$47.11
diesel
$5.61
$27.02
$54.05
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: 42.8 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
36.7
0
$12.85
$5.88
Efficient EV
30.6
0
$10.71
$4.90
EV Truck/SUV
49
0
$17.14
$7.83
Gas CO2
43 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
North Peoria, IL
Afternoon
in North Peoria on Tuesday
Local time
12:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arcola, IL
Afternoon
in Arcola on Tuesday
Local time
12:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Bloomington, IL
61 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 16m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 97% of the journey utilizing major interstates like I 74 and I 57. Expect long stretches of consistent driving, including a significant 85.4-mile segment on I 74. While the profile suggests a highway-centric experience, you'll begin on North Knoxville Avenue before merging onto the interstate system. The character of the drive remains largely consistent, offering a predictable and efficient path, rather than a winding, scenic exploration.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.4 mi on I 74.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 74 and I 57. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 35.4 miles in near I 74.
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 122.4 miles you will encounter 10 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 35.4 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.9 miles (I 74; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between North Peoria, IL and Arcola, IL, road signs point toward Indianapolis, Decatur and Memphis.
Arcola is a city in the Central Illinois region of Illinois with about 2,900 residents in 2020. Visitors will get a sense of small-town Midwest as they walk or drive down the streets of Arcola. The countryside surrounding the city houses the largest Amish population in Illinois with many small shops operated by Amish craftsmen in and around the area.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 16m. Total distance: 122.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85.4 miles on I 74. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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.
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 Arcola, 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. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 35.4 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.9 miles (I 74; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Arcola, IL before heading back.
