North Peoria, IL to Goreville, IL is 252.7 miles and takes about 4h 59m via Ken Gray Expressway and I-55, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving you through the heart of the Midwest. Expect a straightforward drive for the most part, making it a practical choice if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently. With a recommended single day of travel, you can easily complete this route without needing an overnight stop.
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
126.3 miles from North Peoria, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ken Gray Expressway
46.8 mi
50m
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
Longest stretch:
Ken Gray Expressway
— 46.8 mi, about 50m
Traffic on I-57
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
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 96 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 Goreville, 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
7.9 mi·9 min·I 74
5
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 155 South: Lincoln
6
Continue on I 155
32 mi·34 min·I 155
7
Merge onto I 55
30 mi·32 min·I 55
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Toward IL 29 South: Taylorville
9
Merge onto IL 29
1.5 mi·2 min·IL 29
10
Continue on IL 29
4.7 mi·7 min·IL 29
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on IL 29
1.3 mi·2 min·IL 29
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on IL 29
16 mi·19 min·IL 29
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on IL 29
0.4 mi·34 sec·North Webster Street
14
Turn left onto IL 29
5.3 mi·7 min·West Park Street
15
Continue on IL 29
5.1 mi·7 min·State Route 29
16
Continue on IL 29
5.4 mi·7 min·N 2000 East Road
17
Continue on IL 29
0.6 mi·1 min·West Washington Street
18
Turn right onto North Poplar Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North Poplar Street
19
Turn straight onto US 51
0.6 mi·2 min·Fair Avenue
20
Continue on US 51
2.0 mi·2 min·County Road 2400 E
21
Continue on US 51
15 mi·17 min·300 East Road
22
Continue on US 51
11 mi·12 min·County Road 875 East
23
Continue on US 51
1.5 mi·1 min·North Kennedy Boulevard
24
Turn left onto US 40; US 51; IL 185
0.5 mi·34 sec·West Gallatin Street
25
Turn right
0.1 mi·7 sec
26
Continue on US 51
13 mi·15 min·United States Highway 51
27
Continue on US 51
10 mi·11 min·250E
28
Turn left onto US 50
7.6 mi·8 min·US 50
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
30
Merge onto I 57
24 mi·26 min·I 57
31
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
47 mi·50 min·Ken Gray Expressway
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Exit 45Toward IL 148
33
Turn right onto IL 148
0.7 mi·59 sec·IL 148
34
Continue on IL 37
4.4 mi·6 min·IL 37
35
Arrive at destination
IL 37
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under 5 hours, leaving in the morning allows ample time to reach Goreville, IL, with flexibility for an unscheduled stop if needed. The estimated fuel cost of $39 suggests planning your fill-ups strategically, as there's only one recommended stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 46.8-mile stretch on Ken Gray Expressway, to ensure you have enough to reach a service area. Since this is a single-day trip, focus on a comfortable departure time and staying aware of your surroundings as you transition from highway to local roads.
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 126.3 miles from North Peoria, IL, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.8 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 56 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.3 miles or 2h 37m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Goreville, 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 252.7 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 Ken Gray Expressway for about 46.8 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 247.3 — 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
4
9.7 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward I 155 South: Lincoln
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 155 South: Lincoln
5
42.3 mi into trip|~49m in|I 55
Merge onto I 55
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
72.5 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
Take the exit toward IL 29 South: Taylorville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward IL 29 South: Taylorville
5
247.3 mi into trip|~4h 51m in
Take the exit toward IL 148
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 45
Toward IL 148
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.15 one way
$84.31 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$45.81
$91.63
premium
$5.26
$52.32
$104.64
diesel
$6.18
$61.47
$122.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.8
0
$26.53
$12.13
Efficient EV
63.2
0
$22.11
$10.11
EV Truck/SUV
101.1
1
$35.38
$16.17
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
30 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.
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
10:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
NNW 0 to 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:24AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:22AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Goreville, IL
Morning
in Goreville on Sunday
Local time
10:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Sunny
NNE 7 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:24AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:22AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
50°F
Brownstown, IL
126 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
1 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
4h 59m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 77% of the 252.7 miles on major roads like I-55. You'll experience a long stretch of 46.8 miles on Ken Gray Expressway, offering a consistent cruising experience. The transition to surface roads will likely involve more frequent exits and local traffic as you approach your destination.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.8 mi on Ken Gray Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 252.7 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 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 42.3 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 59m. Total distance: 252.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.8 miles on Ken Gray Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 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 Goreville, 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 42.3 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Goreville, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
