Origin
Peoria, IL
Late night in Peoria on Sunday
Local time
2:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Peoria, IL to Des Plaines, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 18m
Distance
170 mi
274 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 6m
★
6 AM
3h 18m
8 AM
3h 42m
10 AM
3h 26m
12 PM
3h 24m
3 PM
3h 28m
5 PM
3h 41m
8 PM
3h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Peoria, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Des Plaines, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 170-mile drive from Peoria, IL, to Des Plaines, IL, can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 18 minutes. Your journey will primarily utilize I-55 and the Tri-State Tollway, making it a highway-focused trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $27, this route offers a budget-friendly option for a day trip within the Midwest. The drive is designed for efficient travel, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
85 miles from Peoria, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 113.6 mi | 2h 6m |
| Murray Baker Bridge | 33 mi | 36m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 16.6 mi | 20m |
| South Des Plaines River Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| IL 29 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Henry Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Fayette Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Hamilton Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 113.6 mi, about 2h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Peoria, IL and Des Plaines, 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 left at fork
1.4 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
8
Merge onto I 55; US 51
114 mi
·
2 hr 6 min
·
I 55; US 51
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.6 mi
·
3 min
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Use the right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
11
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward Touhy Avenue West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 42B
Toward Touhy Avenue West
Use the right lane.
17
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
325 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Touhy Avenue
18
Turn slight right
339 ft
·
9 sec
19
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
South Des Plaines River Road
20
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Henry Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Henry Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, departing Peoria in the morning allows ample time to reach Des Plaines without feeling rushed. Plan for one primary stop along the 170 miles, perhaps midway on the longest stretch of I-55, to refuel and stretch your legs. The fuel cost is estimated at $27, so factor that into your budget. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of toll collection points on the Tri-State Tollway as you approach Des Plaines.
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 85 miles from Peoria, IL, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.6 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 37 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Des Plaines, 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 170 miles and 3h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 55 for about 113.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
85 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 85 miles from Peoria, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.6 miles.
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 165 decision points cluster between mile 33.4 and 167.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
33.4 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
7
148.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
Take the exit toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
7
166.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 11m in
Take the exit toward Touhy Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
7
167.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Touhy Avenue West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Touhy Avenue West
8
167.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Touhy Avenue West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 42B
Toward Touhy Avenue West
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.58 one way
$53.16 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.18 | $58.36 |
| premium | $4.89 | $32.71 | $65.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.53 | $75.07 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.99
Tri-state Tollway
(16.6 mi)
$0.99
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51 | 0 | $17.85 | $8.16 |
| Efficient EV | 42.5 | 0 | $14.87 | $6.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68 | 0 | $23.80 | $10.88 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Destination
Des Plaines, IL
Late night in Des Plaines on Sunday
Local time
2:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°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
3 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
3h 18m 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?
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this 170-mile route, with 67% of your travel on major roadways like I-55 and the Tri-State Tollway. You'll encounter one of the longest uninterrupted stretches at 113.6 miles on I-55, so settle in for a consistent pace. While the Murray Baker Bridge marks an early point, the majority of the drive maintains a steady, highway-centric feel, minimizing complex turns or slower local road sections.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.6 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Murray Baker Bridge. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 33.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 170 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 33.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 166.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Peoria, IL
Full guide →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.
Arriving in Des Plaines, IL
Full guide →Founded 1852
Des Plaines is in Chicagoland. It is an inner-ring, northwest suburb of Chicago with two distinct portions: a suburban northern portion reminiscient of other, nearby northwest suburbs (including Niles, Park Ridge, and Mount Prospect), as well as a built-up southern portion with the businesses, hotels, and other amenities of the O'Hare Airport corridor (much like Rosemont, Chicago's O'Hare neighborhood, and Elk Grove Village).
Top landmarks
- • McDonald's #1 Store Museum — former McDonald's spot
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 3h 18m. Total distance: 170 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113.6 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.99 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Des Plaines, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 33.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 166.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Des Plaines, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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