Peoria, IL to Zion, IL is 203.4 miles and takes about 4h 1m via I 55 and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, covering ground entirely within Illinois. Given its relatively short duration and mixed highway and surface road profile, it's a manageable one-day excursion. You'll likely encounter varied scenery as you transition from rural to more suburban and urban environments closer to your destination. Consider this route for a straightforward trip north with minimal complexity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
101.7 miles from Peoria, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
113.6 mi
2h 6m
Tri-State Tollway
39.2 mi
47m
Murray Baker Bridge
33 mi
36m
North Sheridan Road
4.3 mi
9m
Buckley Road
2.9 mi
4m
Sheridan Road
2.4 mi
2m
Melvin Amstutz Highway
2.3 mi
3m
Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
0.8 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 113.6 mi, about 2h 6m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,093 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,450
Quietest
2 AM
~146 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 43 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 Zion, 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 277AToward I 294 Tollway North: WisconsinUse 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
34 mi·42 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 13Toward IL 137: Buckley RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto IL 137
2.9 mi·4 min·Buckley Road
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto IL 137
0.8 mi·59 sec·Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Continue on IL 137
2.4 mi·2 min·Sheridan Road
17
Continue on IL 137
2.3 mi·3 min·Melvin Amstutz Highway
Use the left / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto IL 137
0.3 mi·32 sec·West Greenwood Avenue
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto IL 137
4.3 mi·9 min·North Sheridan Road
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto 27th Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·27th Street
21
Arrive at destination
27th Street
Trip Plan
For this roughly 4-hour drive, an early morning departure from Peoria is ideal, allowing you to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic closer to Zion. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility in pacing your stops. Plan for one stop around the halfway point, perhaps after completing the 113.6-mile stretch on I 55, to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $36, and services can vary in frequency on tollways and subsequently on the surface road portions.
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 101.7 miles from Peoria, IL, or about 1h 54m 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 45 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.7 miles or 1h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Zion, 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 203.4 miles and 4h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 33.4 and 192.8 — 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
6
155.2 mi into trip|~2h 56m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
189.6 mi into trip|~3h 38m in
Take the exit toward IL 137: Buckley Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 13
Toward IL 137: Buckley Road
6
192.8 mi into trip|~3h 44m in|IL 137 / Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
Turn left onto IL 137 / Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.04 one way
$60.08 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$33.16
$66.32
premium
$4.72
$37.77
$75.53
diesel
$4.80
$38.41
$76.81
Estimated Tolls: $2.35
Tri-state Tollway
(39.2 mi)$2.35
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
$30
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61
0
$21.36
$9.76
Efficient EV
50.9
0
$17.80
$8.14
EV Truck/SUV
81.4
1
$28.48
$13.02
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Peoria, IL
Evening
in Peoria on Sunday
Local time
8:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Mostly Clear then Areas Of Smoke
NE 2 to 6 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:16PM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:38PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Zion, IL
Evening
in Zion on Sunday
Local time
8:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Smoke
NE 5 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:16PM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:38PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
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
4h 1m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 147.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a substantial 56% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on interstates. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 113.6 miles, found on I 55. After the primary interstate sections, you'll transition to surface roads for the remainder of the trip. Expect to notice a change in traffic density and speed limits as you move from the open highway to more local routes.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
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?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 203.4 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: 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 155.2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 1m. Total distance: 203.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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 $2.35 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.
Yes — we found about 20 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 Zion, 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 155.2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Zion, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
