Road Ranger
0 mi from route
Trip from Peoria, IL to Montgomery, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 5, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 36m
Distance
121.9 mi
196 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 26m
★
6 AM
2h 36m
8 AM
2h 57m
10 AM
2h 44m
12 PM
2h 42m
3 PM
2h 45m
5 PM
2h 56m
8 PM
2h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Peoria, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Montgomery, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Peoria, IL to Montgomery, IL is 121.9 miles and takes about 2h 36m via I 80 and IL-71, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Midwest, specifically Illinois, making it a straightforward trip between two points in the same region. Given its relatively short duration and minimal stops, it's ideal for a single-day excursion. The drive primarily utilizes interstate highways before transitioning to state and county roads as you approach your destination.
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
60.9 miles from Peoria, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 31.7 mi | 34m |
| Illinois Route 71 | 30.2 mi | 44m |
| 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 |
| North State Route 29 | 6.1 mi | 7m |
| IL 31 | 3.4 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 31.7 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Peoria, IL and Montgomery, 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 right at fork
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 80 East: Joliet
15
Merge onto I 80
32 mi
·
34 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 93
Toward IL 71: Ottawa, Oswego
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto IL 71
30 mi
·
44 min
·
Illinois Route 71
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn left onto Orchard Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Orchard Road
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto US 34
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
US 34
Use the right lane.
20
Continue on IL 31
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
IL 31
21
Continue on IL 31
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
IL 31
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on IL 31
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
South Lake Street
23
Arrive at destination
IL 31
Trip Plan
For this 2h 36m drive, you can easily complete it in a single day. Consider departing in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic in the Chicago metropolitan area as you get closer to Montgomery. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition off I 80; the estimated fuel cost is $19, so plan accordingly. Ensure you have enough gas before leaving the interstate system.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 60.9 miles from Peoria, IL, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.7 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 27 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.9 miles or 1h 15m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Montgomery, 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 121.9 miles and 2h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 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 80 for about 31.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 60.9 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.
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Sapp Brothers Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 86.1 — 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 left onto Hamilton Boulevard
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 right at fork toward I 80 East: Joliet
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 80 East: Joliet
8
85.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward IL 71: Ottawa, Oswego
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 93
Toward IL 71: Ottawa, Oswego
6
86.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
|
IL 71 / Illinois Route 71
Turn left onto IL 71 / Illinois Route 71
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.90 one way
$37.80 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $20.72 | $41.45 |
| premium | $4.93 | $23.65 | $47.30 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $26.87 | $53.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.6 | 0 | $12.80 | $5.85 |
| Efficient EV | 30.5 | 0 | $10.67 | $4.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.8 | 0 | $17.07 | $7.80 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Peoria, IL
Late night in Peoria on Saturday
Local time
1:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Montgomery, IL
Late night in Montgomery on Saturday
Local time
1:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
84°F
Coal Hollow, IL
61 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
4 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 36m 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 trip is mostly highway, with 67% of the drive on interstates and major roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 31.7 miles on I 80, offering a good period of consistent cruising. After leaving the interstate, the route shifts to Illinois Route 71 and County Road 1400 East, which will feel more like rural travel with fewer exits and potentially more local traffic.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 31.7 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Illinois Route 71. 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
8/10
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 121.9 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 10.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 53.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
741 ft
466 ft
Total Climb
374 ft
Total Descent
235 ft
Highest Point
741 ft
~104.5 mi in
Elevation Range
275 ft
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.
On the drive from Peoria, IL to Montgomery, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Oswego along the way.
Oswego
85.9 mi in
|
~1h 41m
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 Montgomery, IL
Full guide →Founded 1832
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 36m. Total distance: 121.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (67%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 31.7 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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 Montgomery, 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 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Hamilton Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 10.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 53.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Montgomery, 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.
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