Origin
Peoria, IL
Morning in Peoria on Tuesday
Local time
7:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Peoria, IL to Bethany, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 11m
Distance
104.5 mi
168 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 3m
★
6 AM
2h 12m
8 AM
2h 30m
10 AM
2h 18m
12 PM
2h 17m
3 PM
2h 19m
5 PM
2h 30m
8 PM
2h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Peoria, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Bethany, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Peoria, IL to Bethany, IL is 104.5 miles and takes about 2h 11m via Murray Baker Bridge, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, taking you from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Expect a local driving experience with plenty of turns, rather than a straightforward interstate journey. It's a manageable distance, making it ideal for a single day trip without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.2 miles from Peoria, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Murray Baker Bridge | 33 mi | 36m |
| North Walnut Street | 23.2 mi | 29m |
| North 1450 East Road | 14.7 mi | 17m |
| North State Route 121 | 12.8 mi | 17m |
| I 74 | 8.6 mi | 9m |
| US 51 Business | 4.3 mi | 6m |
| US 36 | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| South Mount Zion Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Murray Baker Bridge
— 33 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Peoria, IL and Bethany, 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
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 74; US 51
Toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
9
Take the exit onto US 51
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
US 51
Exit 135
Toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Decatur, Bloomington
10
Continue on US 51
15 mi
·
17 min
·
North 1450 East Road
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 51
23 mi
·
29 min
·
North Walnut Street
12
Turn straight onto US 51 Business
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
US 51 Business
13
Turn left onto US 36
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West Eldorado Street
14
Turn slight right onto US 36
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
US 36
15
Continue on IL 121
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
South Mount Zion Road
16
Continue on IL 121
13 mi
·
17 min
·
North State Route 121
17
Turn right onto North Washington Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
North Washington Street
18
Turn left onto West Main Street
138 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Main Street
19
Turn left onto North Lincoln Street
56 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Lincoln Street
20
Turn right
101 ft
·
7 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 11m duration, you can easily complete this trip in one day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Plan to leave Peoria in the morning to make the most of your day in Bethany. With a $16 fuel cost estimate, it's wise to ensure your tank is full before you depart, as dedicated rest stops might be less frequent on this local route. Keep an eye on your navigation, as the 'turn-heavy' nature means you'll want to be mindful of upcoming turns.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 52.2 miles from Peoria, IL, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33 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 23 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.2 miles or 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bethany, 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 104.5 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Peoria, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Murray Baker Bridge for about 33 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 52.2 miles from 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 42.1 — 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
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Fayette Street
Turn right onto Fayette Street
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
42.1 mi into trip
|
~46m in
|
US 51
Take the exit onto US 51 toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Decatur, Bloomington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 135
Toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Decat...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.34 one way
$32.67 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $17.94 | $35.88 |
| premium | $4.89 | $20.11 | $40.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.07 | $46.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.3 | 0 | $10.97 | $5.02 |
| Efficient EV | 26.1 | 0 | $9.14 | $4.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.8 | 0 | $14.63 | $6.69 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Bethany, IL
Morning in Bethany on Tuesday
Local time
7:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Clinton, IL
52 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
17 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
2h 11m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' so don't anticipate long stretches of uninterrupted highway. With only 28% of the drive on highways, you'll be navigating more local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 33 miles on Murray Baker Bridge. Be prepared for frequent changes in direction and pace as you transition between different types of roads.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 33 mi on Murray Baker Bridge.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Hamilton Boulevard.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 104.5 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.2 miles (Fayette Street): Navigation decision point; at 33.4 miles (I 74): 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.
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 Bethany, IL, road signs point toward Indianapolis, Decatur and Bloomington.
Indianapolis
33.4 mi in
|
~37m
|
via I 74
Decatur
40 mi in
|
~44m
|
via I 74; US 51
Bloomington
42.1 mi in
|
~46m
|
via US 51
About the Cities
Starting in Peoria, IL
Full guide →Founded 1680
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
Arriving in Bethany, IL
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 11m. Total distance: 104.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (28%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 33 miles on Murray Baker Bridge. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Hamilton Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Fayette Street): Navigation decision point; at 33.4 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bethany, IL before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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