Origin
North Peoria, IL
Afternoon in North Peoria on Monday
Local time
4:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 7, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 52m
Distance
245.2 mi
395 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North Peoria, IL
Tom Fisk
Crainville, IL
Wikimedia Commons
North Peoria, IL to Crainville, IL is 245.2 miles and takes about 4h 52m via Ken Gray Expressway, I 155, and I 55, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region from one point to another. Expect a straightforward drive that's mostly highway, making it a solid option for a single-day excursion. If you're looking for a direct shot between these two points without extensive detours, this route fits the bill.
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
122.6 miles from North Peoria, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ken Gray Expressway | 37.4 mi | 40m |
| I 155 | 31.8 mi | 34m |
| I 55 | 30.2 mi | 32m |
| I 57 | 24.5 mi | 26m |
| IL 29 | 23.1 mi | 31m |
| 300 East Road | 15.1 mi | 17m |
| United States Highway 51 | 13.4 mi | 15m |
| County Road 875 East | 11.1 mi | 12m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,386 veh/hr typical · worst 1,823
Quietest
2 AM
~244 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 96 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between North Peoria, IL and Crainville, IL.
Start on East McClure Avenue
Turn left onto IL 40
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 74
Take the exit
Continue on I 155
Merge onto I 55
Take the exit
Merge onto IL 29
Continue on IL 29
Continue on IL 29
Continue on IL 29
Continue on IL 29
Turn left onto IL 29
Continue on IL 29
Continue on IL 29
Continue on IL 29
Turn right onto North Poplar Street
Turn straight onto US 51
Continue on US 51
Continue on US 51
Continue on US 51
Continue on US 51
Turn left onto US 40; US 51; IL 185
Turn right
Continue on US 51
Continue on US 51
Turn left onto US 50
Take the exit
Merge onto I 57
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto IL 13
Continue on IL 13
Take the exit
Turn right onto North Wolf Creek Road
At end of road, turn left onto Marion Street
Turn right onto Main Street
Arrive at destination
For this 4h 52m drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to break up the 245.2 miles wherever it feels most convenient. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $38, and plan your fill-ups accordingly. Given that it's a manageable drive, you have flexibility; however, be aware that the longest stretch is 37.4 miles on Ken Gray Expressway, so plan your break before or after that segment if needed.
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.
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 54 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.6 miles or 2h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Crainville, IL than in the middle of the route.
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 245.2 miles and 4h 52m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
123 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 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 122.6 miles from North Peoria, 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 1.5 and 238.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork toward I 74 East: Bloomington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Merge onto I 55
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$38.02 one way
$76.03 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $41.68 | $83.37 |
| premium | $4.93 | $47.57 | $95.15 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $54.05 | $108.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.6 | 0 | $25.75 | $11.77 |
| Efficient EV | 61.3 | 0 | $21.46 | $9.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 98.1 | 1 | $34.33 | $15.69 |
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in North Peoria on Monday
Local time
4:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Crainville on Monday
Local time
4:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
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
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
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
You'll spend about 75% of this 245.2-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 37.4 miles on Ken Gray Expressway. After the highway sections, you'll transition to surface roads for the remaining portion of the trip. Expect a mix of cruising at higher speeds and navigating more local traffic as you get closer to your destination.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Ken Gray Expressway and I 155. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 245.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 42.3 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 237.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
244 ft
Total Descent
406 ft
Highest Point
656 ft
~17.5 mi in
Elevation Range
264 ft
Founded 1881
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 52m. Total distance: 245.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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