North Peoria, IL to Saline, IL is 258.5 miles and takes about 5h 26m via Ken Gray Expressway, I 155, and I 55, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, moving you through the Midwest region. Given its relatively short duration and primarily highway profile, it's a straightforward trip for a single day. You'll find it to be a practical route for getting from one point to another without extensive detours. Plan for a smooth transition between major highways as you make your way south.
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
129.3 miles from North Peoria, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
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
Longest stretch:
Ken Gray Expressway
— 37.4 mi, about 40m
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 Saline, 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
37 mi·40 min·Ken Gray Expressway
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
33
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
34
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
35
Merge onto IL 13
7.8 mi·11 min·West Deyoung Street
36
Turn right onto Crab Orchard Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Crab Orchard Road
37
Turn right onto Saraville Road
3.7 mi·8 min·Saraville Road
38
Keep slight left at fork onto Stonefort Road
5.1 mi·12 min·Stonefort Road
39
Continue on Will Scarlet Road
1.3 mi·5 min·Will Scarlet Road
40
Turn left onto Peabody Road
0.7 mi·2 min·Peabody Road
41
Arrive at destination
Peabody Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 26m drive, consider an early morning departure from North Peoria. This allows you to take advantage of the full daylight and potentially avoid any midday traffic. With only one recommended stop, you can choose a convenient point along I-55 for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 37.4-mile stretch on Ken Gray Expressway, and aim to refuel before hitting longer highway segments if needed. This is a drive that can comfortably be completed in a single day, offering flexibility in your timing.
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 129.3 miles from North Peoria, IL, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.4 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 57 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.3 miles or 2h 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 4h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saline, 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 258.5 miles and 5h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 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 37.4 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 238.2 — 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.
5
237.9 mi into trip|~4h 41m in
Take the exit toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
6
238.2 mi into trip|~4h 41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.12 one way
$86.24 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$46.87
$93.73
premium
$5.26
$53.52
$107.04
diesel
$6.18
$62.88
$125.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.6
0
$27.14
$12.41
Efficient EV
64.6
0
$22.62
$10.34
EV Truck/SUV
103.4
1
$36.19
$16.54
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% 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 18, 2026
Origin
North Peoria, IL
Morning
in North Peoria on Monday
Local time
6:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
SSW 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Saline, IL
Morning
in Saline on Monday
Local time
6:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
ESE 0 to 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
50°F
Brownstown, IL
129 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
3 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
5h 26m 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?
With 70% of this route on highways, you'll experience a good amount of high-speed cruising. Your longest uninterrupted stretch will be 37.4 miles on Ken Gray Expressway. Expect to transition from highway driving to more local roads as you near your destination. The prevalence of highway travel suggests a consistent flow, punctuated by highway exits and merges.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.4 mi on Ken Gray Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 Effort9/10
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 258.5 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
677 ft411 ft
Total Climb
266 ft
Total Descent
489 ft
Highest Point
677 ft
~110.8 mi in
Elevation Range
266 ft
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 Saline, IL, road signs point toward Marion and Carbondale.
Marion
237.9 mi in|~4h 41m
Carbondale
237.9 mi in|~4h 41m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 26m. Total distance: 258.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37.4 miles on Ken Gray Expressway. 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 Saline, 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 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Saline, IL before the return drive.
