Peoria to Bennington is 217.7 miles and takes about 4h 33m via I 74 and I 57, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, primarily traversing Illinois. You'll encounter a mix of highway driving and surface roads, making it a straightforward trip. Given the relatively short duration, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion. Plan for a smooth drive with minimal complexity.
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
108.9 miles from Peoria, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 74
51.8 mi
55m
I 57
47.2 mi
50m
Murray Baker Bridge
33 mi
36m
County Road 1150
14.3 mi
19m
North 1250th Street
13.3 mi
19m
South Van Buren Street
11 mi
15m
Route 130
10 mi
14m
County Road 1100 East
6.7 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 74
— 51.8 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Peoria, IL and Bennington, IL.
1
Start on Northeast Jefferson Avenue
84 ft·5 sec·Northeast Jefferson Avenue
2
Turn right onto Hamilton Boulevard
464 ft·16 sec·Hamilton Boulevard
3
Turn right onto Northeast Madison Avenue
449 ft·16 sec·Northeast Madison Avenue
4
Turn right onto Fayette Street
469 ft·15 sec·Fayette Street
5
Take the ramp onto IL 29
0.2 mi·25 sec·IL 29
Toward I 74 East, IL 29 South: Bloomington, Pekin
6
Merge onto I 74; IL 29
33 mi·36 min·Murray Baker Bridge
7
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
8
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
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·35 sec
Exit 179Toward I 57: Chicago, Memphis
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·50 sec
Exit 179Toward I 57 South: Memphis
11
Merge onto I 57
47 mi·50 min·I 57
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 190AToward IL 16 East: Charleston
13
Turn straight onto IL 16
0.7 mi·1 min·Charleston Avenue East
14
Continue on IL 16
6.0 mi·8 min·Illinois Route 16
15
Continue on IL 16
1.8 mi·2 min·West Lincoln Avenue
16
Turn right onto IL 130
1.6 mi·2 min·18th Street
17
Continue on IL 130
0.8 mi·1 min·Illinois Route 130
18
Continue on IL 130
10.0 mi·14 min·Route 130
19
Continue on IL 130
2.0 mi·2 min·County Road 1825 East
20
Continue on IL 130
0.8 mi·1 min·County Road 1775 E
21
Continue on IL 130
0.4 mi·32 sec·North Haughton Highway
22
Continue on IL 130
1.3 mi·1 min·1700E
23
Continue on IL 130
4.0 mi·5 min·North Haughton Highway
24
Continue on IL 130
2.1 mi·3 min·County Road 1700E
25
Continue on IL 130
13 mi·19 min·North 1250th Street
26
Turn left onto IL 130
11 mi·15 min·South Van Buren Street
27
Continue on IL 130
6.7 mi·9 min·County Road 1100 East
28
Continue on IL 130
2.5 mi·4 min·North West Street
29
Continue on IL 130
14 mi·19 min·County Road 1150
Use the straight lane.
30
Turn right onto County Road 1850 N
3.8 mi·9 min·County Road 1850 N
31
Turn right onto 125E
0.5 mi·1 min·125E
32
Turn left onto 1900N
0.3 mi·1 min·1900N
33
Turn left onto 095E
0.1 mi·34 sec·095E
34
Turn left onto 100E
105 ft·4 sec·100E
35
Arrive at destination
100E
Trip Plan
For this 4h 33m drive, consider leaving in the morning to maximize daylight and take advantage of the single recommended day. With a fuel cost estimated at $34, keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the 51.8-mile stretch on I 74. There's one recommended stop, so plan your break strategically along the way. Since this is a manageable drive, you have flexibility in your timing, but sticking to the main roads like I 74 and I 57 will keep you on track efficiently.
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 108.9 miles from Peoria, IL, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.8 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 48 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.9 miles or 1h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bennington, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving 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 Peoria, IL
This is one driving day of about 217.7 miles and 4h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from 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 74 for about 51.8 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 85.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Hamilton Boulevard
Turn right onto Hamilton Boulevard
Navigation decision point
6
33.4 mi into trip|~37m 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
40 mi into trip|~44m 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
85.3 mi into trip|~1h 33m 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
85.6 mi into trip|~1h 33m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 57 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 179
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.03 one way
$68.07 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$37.37
$74.74
premium
$4.89
$41.89
$83.79
diesel
$5.61
$48.07
$96.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.3
0
$22.86
$10.45
Efficient EV
54.4
0
$19.05
$8.71
EV Truck/SUV
87.1
1
$30.48
$13.93
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Peoria, IL
Late night
in Peoria on Tuesday
Local time
5:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bennington, IL
Late night
in Bennington on Tuesday
Local time
5:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°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
14 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
4h 33m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 53% of it on interstates. You'll experience a significant stretch of 51.8 miles on I 74, offering a consistent cruising experience. After the highway portions conclude, expect more surface road driving. The transition from faster interstate speeds to potentially slower surface roads will be noticeable.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.8 mi on I 74.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Hamilton Boulevard.
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 217.7 miles you will encounter 18 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: near the start (Hamilton Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 33.4 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40 miles (I 74; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Peoria, IL and Bennington, IL, road signs point toward Indianapolis, Decatur and Memphis.
Peoria is a city in Illinois and the county seat of Peoria County. It serves as a regional hub for the primarily rural and agricultural center of the state. Peoria is a small but diverse city of approximately 115,000 people that anchors a three-county metropolitan area of nearly 400,000.
Top landmarks
•Madison Theatre — theater and former movie theater in Peoria, Illinois, United States
•Hotel Père Marquette — hotel in downtown Peoria, Illinois
•Illinois Waterway Project Office — U.S. Army Core of Engineers facility in Peoria, Illinois
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 33m. Total distance: 217.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.8 miles on I 74. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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 Bennington, 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 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Hamilton Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 33.4 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40 miles (I 74; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Bennington, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
