North Peoria, IL to Edgewater, IL is 174.7 miles and takes about 3h 31m via I 55 and I 74, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving through the Midwest region. Expect a straightforward drive that's mostly highway, making it a convenient option for a single-day excursion. The route is designed for efficiency, getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
87.4 miles from North Peoria, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
123.2 mi
2h 19m
I 74
33.6 mi
36m
South Ashland Avenue
7.1 mi
14m
Stevenson Expressway
3.6 mi
4m
South Damen Avenue
2.4 mi
4m
North Knoxville Avenue
1 mi
1m
West Ogden Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
East McClure Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 123.2 mi, about 2h 19m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,073 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,464
Quietest
2 AM
~148 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 73 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Peoria, IL and Edgewater, 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 left at fork
1.4 mi·2 min
Toward I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
6
Merge onto I 55; US 51
123 mi·2 hr 19 min·I 55; US 51
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 55
3.6 mi·4 min·Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 290Toward Damen Avenue, Ashland AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward Damen AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
440 ft·12 sec
Toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen AvenueUse the left lane.
11
Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue
2.4 mi·4 min·South Damen Avenue
12
Turn right onto US 66 Hist
0.7 mi·1 min·West Ogden Avenue
13
Turn left onto South Ashland Avenue
7.1 mi·14 min·South Ashland Avenue
14
Turn right onto West Bryn Mawr Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·West Bryn Mawr Avenue
15
Turn right onto North Wayne Avenue
73 ft·2 sec·North Wayne Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
North Wayne Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 31m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning allows ample time to reach your destination and settle in. With only one recommended stop and a manageable distance, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 123.2-mile stretch on I 55, and plan your refueling accordingly to stay within the estimated $27 fuel cost. Consider leaving early to avoid potential afternoon traffic as you approach the Chicago area.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 87.4 miles from North Peoria, IL, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 123.2 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 38 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.4 miles or 1h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Edgewater, 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 174.7 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from North Peoria, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 123.2 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 1.5 and 164 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 74 East: Bloomington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 74 East: Bloomington
6
35.4 mi into trip|~40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
8
163.6 mi into trip|~3h 8m in
Take the exit toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 290
Toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
8
163.8 mi into trip|~3h 8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Damen Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Damen Avenue
9
164 mi into trip|~3h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.14 one way
$58.28 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$31.67
$63.35
premium
$5.26
$36.17
$72.34
diesel
$6.18
$42.50
$85.00
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.4
0
$18.34
$8.39
Efficient EV
43.7
0
$15.29
$6.99
EV Truck/SUV
69.9
0
$24.46
$11.18
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
North Peoria, IL
Morning
in North Peoria on Sunday
Local time
9:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Sunny
WNW 0 to 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Edgewater, IL
Morning
in Edgewater on Sunday
Local time
9:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 31m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
11 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 162.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on highways, with 92% of the route being interstate. You'll encounter a long stretch of 123.2 miles on I 55 before transitioning. The final leg of your trip will involve surface streets, specifically South Ashland Avenue, as you enter Edgewater. Be prepared for a significant amount of highway cruising before reaching city limits.
92% 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: 123.2 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 74. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 174.7 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 35.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
844 ft554 ft
Total Climb
375 ft
Total Descent
422 ft
Highest Point
844 ft
~37.4 mi in
Elevation Range
291 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 31m. Total distance: 174.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 123.2 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 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 Edgewater, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 35.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Edgewater, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
