Limestone Rest Area (Southbound)
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Peoria, IL to Preston Heights, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 25m
Distance
129.8 mi
209 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 15m
★
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.
Peoria, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Preston Heights, IL
Eddie O.
Trip Overview
Peoria, IL to Preston Heights, IL is 129.8 miles and takes about 2h 25m via I 55 and I 80, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Illinois, making it a straightforward hop between two points. The route is mostly highway, so expect a consistent pace for most of the drive. Given its short duration, it’s an ideal option for a same-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You'll spend the bulk of your time on major interstates, so plan for typical interstate conditions.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
64.9 miles from Peoria, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 86.7 mi | 1h 33m |
| Murray Baker Bridge | 33 mi | 36m |
| I 80 | 5.9 mi | 7m |
| South Chicago Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| IL 29 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Fayette Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Hamilton Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Northeast Madison Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 86.7 mi, about 1h 33m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,073 veh/hr typical · worst 1,464
Quietest
2 AM
~148 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 73 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Peoria, IL and Preston Heights, 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
87 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
I 55; US 51
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 250A
Toward I 80 East: Indiana
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 80
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 132A
Toward US 52 East, IL 53 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto US 52; IL 53
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Chicago Street
13
Turn right onto Zurich Road
270 ft
·
12 sec
·
Zurich Road
14
Turn left onto Haviland Drive
200 ft
·
8 sec
·
Haviland Drive
15
Arrive at destination
Haviland Drive
Trip Plan
For this 129.8-mile drive, leaving anytime in the morning should get you to Preston Heights with plenty of daylight remaining. Since the total driving time is only about 2 hours and 25 minutes, you probably won't need more than one quick stop for fuel or a stretch break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 86.7-mile stretch on I 55, as services can be spaced out on interstates. Your estimated fuel cost is around $22, which is quite reasonable for this distance. The flexibility of a shorter drive like this means you can depart later if needed or add a brief stop along the way without significantly impacting your arrival time.
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 64.9 miles from Peoria, IL, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.7 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 29 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.9 miles or 1h 12m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Preston Heights, 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 129.8 miles and 2h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Peoria, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 86.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
65 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 64.9 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 86.7 miles.
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.
Limestone Rest Area (Northbound)
0.1 mi from route
Mackinaw Dells Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
Mackinaw Dells Rest Area Eastbound
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.8 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.8 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 128.2 — 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
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
121.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Indiana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 250A
Toward I 80 East: Indiana
8
128.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m in
Take the exit toward US 52 East, IL 53 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 132A
Toward US 52 East, IL 53 South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.65 one way
$43.30 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $23.53 | $47.07 |
| premium | $5.26 | $26.87 | $53.75 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $31.58 | $63.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.9 | 0 | $13.63 | $6.23 |
| Efficient EV | 32.5 | 0 | $11.36 | $5.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51.9 | 0 | $18.17 | $8.31 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Morning in Peoria on Monday
Local time
9:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Sunny
SSW 9 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Preston Heights, IL
Morning in Preston Heights on Monday
Local time
9:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Sunny
SSW 10 to 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
76°F
Bloomington, IL
65 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 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 129.8
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 72% of the 129.8 miles on major interstates like I 55 and I 80. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch on I 55, covering 86.7 miles. Expect to transition from highway cruising to surface streets as you approach your destination, likely after exiting I 80. The interstate segments will offer a steady pace, but be prepared for the potential of merging traffic and more frequent exits as you get closer to urban areas.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.7 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Murray Baker Bridge. 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 129.8 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: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
892 ft
502 ft
Total Climb
524 ft
Total Descent
393 ft
Highest Point
892 ft
~37.1 mi in
Elevation Range
390 ft
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
Arriving in Preston Heights, 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 25m. Total distance: 129.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 86.7 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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.
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: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Preston Heights, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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