Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Peoria, IL to Carthage, IL

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 25m

Distance

101.4 mi

163 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 16m ★
6 AM
2h 25m
8 AM
2h 45m
10 AM
2h 32m
12 PM
2h 30m
3 PM
2h 33m
5 PM
2h 44m
8 PM
2h 19m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Peoria, IL, IL

Peoria, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Carthage, IL, IL

Carthage, IL

Züleyha Gül

Trip Overview

Peoria, IL to Carthage, IL is 101.4 miles and takes about 2h 25m via County Road 2050 E, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Illinois, for its entirety. It's a fairly straightforward drive, mostly on surface roads, making it a convenient option for a single day. You won't encounter major interstate highways, so expect a more local feel to your travel. Given the relatively short distance and duration, it’s ideal for a relaxed day trip.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

50.7 miles from Peoria, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
County Road 2050 E 19.5 mi 30m
County Road 1400 East 17.8 mi 20m
South 4th Street 9.1 mi 10m
I 180 8.9 mi 9m
North Galena Road 7.6 mi 11m
2050 East Street 7.3 mi 10m
North State Route 29 6.1 mi 7m
I 80 4.3 mi 4m
Longest stretch: County Road 2050 E — 19.5 mi, about 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Peoria, IL and Carthage, IL.

1

Start on Northeast Jefferson Avenue

84 ft · 8 sec · Northeast Jefferson Avenue
2

Turn left onto Hamilton Boulevard

466 ft · 20 sec · Hamilton Boulevard
3

Turn left onto Northeast Adams Street

2.6 mi · 4 min · Northeast Adams Street
4

Continue on IL 29

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Northeast Adams Street
5

Continue on IL 29

7.1 mi · 10 min · North Galena Road
6

Keep slight left at fork

321 ft · 4 sec
7

Keep slight right at fork

148 ft · 2 sec
8

Continue on IL 29

0.4 mi · 35 sec · North Galena Road
9

Continue on IL 29

6.1 mi · 7 min · North State Route 29
10

Continue on IL 29

9.1 mi · 10 min · South 4th Street
11

Continue on IL 29

1.1 mi · 1 min · Railroad Street
12

Continue on IL 29

18 mi · 20 min · County Road 1400 East
13

Merge onto I 180

8.9 mi · 9 min · I 180
14

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
Toward I 80 West: Davenport
15

Merge onto I 80

4.3 mi · 4 min · I 80
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Exit 56 Toward IL 26: Princeton, Dixon
17

Turn right onto IL 26

1.6 mi · 2 min · Main Street
18

Continue on IL 26

1.4 mi · 2 min · County Road 2010 East
19

Continue on IL 26

7.3 mi · 10 min · 2050 East Street
20

Continue on IL 26

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
21

Continue on IL 26

20 mi · 30 min · County Road 2050 E
22

Turn right onto IL 2

0.6 mi · 53 sec · East 2nd Street
23

Continue on IL 2

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Timber Lane
24

Continue on IL 2

2.6 mi · 3 min · East River Road
25

Turn right onto Lost Nation Road

3.8 mi · 9 min · Lost Nation Road
26

Continue on Flagg Road

4.1 mi · 9 min · Flagg Road
27

Arrive at destination

East Flagg Road

Trip Plan

Given this 2h 25m drive, leaving Peoria anytime in the morning should allow you to reach Carthage with plenty of daylight. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan for flexibility with your own breaks. The fuel cost is estimated at $16, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing, especially since much of this route is on surface roads. Keep an eye out for the transition onto County Road 1400 East; this marks a significant portion of your travel on local roads. This short trip allows for an easy departure without needing to rush.

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 50.7 miles from Peoria, IL, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.5 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 22 miles or 31m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 50.7 miles or 1h 3m 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 50m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carthage, 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 101.4 miles and 2h 25m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Peoria, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on County Road 2050 E for about 19.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Cazenovia, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cazenovia, IL

51 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

Akron, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Coal Hollow, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 50.7 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop

Haddad's Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Peoria, Illinois

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–7:30 pm

+13096725339

Spoons and Forks

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Princeton, Illinois

2.3 mi

Rodeo 29 Bar and Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Putnam, Illinois

2.1 mi

Best coffee break

Honey Sugar's Cafe, LLC

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Peoria, Illinois

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 11:30 am–8 pm

+13096431089

Visit website

One World

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Peoria, Illinois

1.3 mi

Eggcellent Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

East Peoria, Illinois

1.6 mi

Haddad's Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–7:30 pm

+13096725339

Spoons and Forks

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Princeton, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+18158729001

Rodeo 29 Bar and Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Putnam, Illinois

Hours: 3–10 pm

+18154372674

Lil' Smoked Bar + Grill

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Dixon, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+18156779867

Visit website

Mary's Diner

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Dixon, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–2:30 pm

+18159944961

River City Ale House and Eatery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Dixon, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+18152840381

Visit website

Fresco On First

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Dixon, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18156779144

Visit website

River's Edge Inn

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Dixon, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+18152887396

Visit website

Honey Sugar's Cafe, LLC

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–8 pm

+13096431089

Visit website

One World

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 7:30 am–8 pm

+13096721522

Visit website

Eggcellent Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+13096431218

Visit website

Coffee Cup Family Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Princeton, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+18158751233

Visit website

Cafe Grace

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Princeton, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+18158724000

Visit website

The 520 Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+13098391416

Visit website

The Library Café

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Princeton, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+18158751331

Visit website

Coffee Crush

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

Dixon, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+18153455909

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

East Peoria, Illinois

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Peoria, Illinois

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 5 am–12 pm

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13094948850

Visit website

Holiday Inn Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Road Ranger

0.1 mi from route

Road Ranger

0.1 mi from route

Spratt's Tap

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Hennepin, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+18159259100

Visit website

Hawg House Saloon

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Halfway reset 4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Princeton, Illinois

Hours: 3 pm–2 am

+18159158582

Visit website

Silver Dome

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Halfway reset 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

DePue, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+18154472198

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 58.9 — 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 left onto Hamilton Boulevard

Navigation decision point

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Northeast Adams Street

Turn left onto Northeast Adams Street

Navigation decision point

6
10.2 mi into trip | ~16m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
53.7 mi into trip | ~1h 7m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 West: Davenport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 80 West: Davenport
6
58.9 mi into trip | ~1h 13m in

Take the exit toward IL 26: Princeton, Dixon

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 56 Toward IL 26: Princeton, Dixon

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.91 one way

$33.83 round trip

$4.24/gal 25.4 MPG avg 36 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $18.38 $36.77
premium $5.26 $20.99 $41.99
diesel $6.18 $24.67 $49.33

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 35.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 30.4 0 $10.65 $4.87
Efficient EV 25.4 0 $8.87 $4.06
EV Truck/SUV 40.6 0 $14.20 $6.49

Gas CO2

35 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (66% 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

Peoria, IL

Morning in Peoria on Sunday

Local time

9:31 AM

CDT

Current temp

58°F

Widespread Frost then Sunny

NW 0 to 3 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Carthage, IL

Morning in Carthage on Sunday

Local time

9:31 AM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Sunny

W 0 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

54°F

Cazenovia, IL

51 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 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 25m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is mostly surface roads, with the highway share at 19%. You'll encounter your longest stretch, 19.5 miles, on County Road 2050 E. The drive begins on surface roads, transitioning to a brief period on highways before returning to surface roads, primarily County Road 1400 East and South 4th Street, for the remainder of the trip. Expect a rural cruising experience with limited high-speed sections.

Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 19.5 mi on County Road 2050 E.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Hamilton Boulevard.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 101.4 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: near the start (Hamilton Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Northeast Adams Street): Navigation decision point; at 10.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

869 ft 467 ft

Total Climb

529 ft

Total Descent

242 ft

Highest Point

869 ft

~72.4 mi in

Elevation Range

402 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Peoria, IL to Carthage, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Dixon along the way.

Dixon

58.9 mi in | ~1h 13m

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
  • • Rock Island Depot and Freight House — former train station in downtown Peoria, Illinois

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 25m. Total distance: 101.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 19.5 miles on County Road 2050 E. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 3 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 Carthage, 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. There are 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Hamilton Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Northeast Adams Street): Navigation decision point; at 10.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Carthage, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

More from Peoria, IL

Cairo, IL 292.5 mi · 5h 41m Unity, IL 286.4 mi · 5h 44m Metropolis, IL 286.2 mi · 5h 35m Eagle, IL 264.3 mi · 5h 53m Vienna, IL 262 mi · 5h 7m Goreville, IL 250.7 mi · 4h 55m

More trips to Carthage, IL

Chicago, IL 96.5 mi
Escape planner: Peoria, IL Scenic drives in IL

Explore more options from Peoria, IL or browse trips ending in Carthage, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.