Origin
Riverwoods, IL
Morning in Riverwoods on Tuesday
Local time
7:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Riverwoods, IL to Peoria, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 26m
Distance
179.3 mi
289 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 15m
★
6 AM
3h 27m
8 AM
3h 51m
10 AM
3h 35m
12 PM
3h 33m
3 PM
3h 37m
5 PM
3h 50m
8 PM
3h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Riverwoods, IL
Stéphane Tendon
Peoria, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 179.3-mile drive from Riverwoods, IL, to Peoria, IL, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 26 minutes on the road, with 82% of that time on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this Midwest to Midwest trip is around $28. Given its manageable distance and duration, this route is ideal for a day trip, allowing you flexibility in your departure and arrival times. The overall feel of the drive is focused on efficient travel between these two Illinois locations.
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
89.7 miles from Riverwoods, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Adlai Stevenson Expressway | 113 mi | 2h 6m |
| I 74 | 33.4 mi | 36m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 29.5 mi | 36m |
| Deerfield Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| IL 29 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Northeast Jefferson Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Spalding Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Portwine Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
— 113 mi, about 2h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverwoods, IL and Peoria, IL.
1
Start on Portwine Road
6 ft
·
7 sec
·
Portwine Road
2
Turn left onto Deerfield Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Deerfield Road
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
4
Merge onto I 94
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
Tri-State Tollway
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
23 mi
·
28 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 23
Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 55
113 mi
·
2 hr 6 min
·
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
Use the slight right lane.
12
Continue on I 74
27 mi
·
29 min
·
I 74
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
I 74
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
14
Take the exit onto IL 29
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
IL 29
Toward IL 29 North: Downtown Peoria
15
Continue on Spalding Avenue
452 ft
·
20 sec
·
Spalding Avenue
16
Turn left onto IL 29
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Northeast Jefferson Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
Northeast Jefferson Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 26-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential traffic, especially as you begin on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of about $28, you can easily complete this trip without needing an overnight stay. The flexibility of a single-day drive means you can adjust your schedule as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a break is 113 miles on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway.
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 89.7 miles from Riverwoods, IL, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113 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 39 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.7 miles or 1h 46m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Peoria, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Riverwoods, 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 Riverwoods, IL
This is one driving day of about 179.3 miles and 3h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Riverwoods, 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 Adlai Stevenson Expressway for about 113 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
90 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 89.7 miles from Riverwoods, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 144.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
2.2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
6
29.6 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
30.9 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Take the exit toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 23
Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
7
31.5 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
6
144.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 74 West: Peoria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.03 one way
$56.06 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.78 | $61.55 |
| premium | $4.89 | $34.50 | $69.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.59 | $79.17 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.77
Tri-state Tollway
(29.5 mi)
$1.77
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
$28
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.8 | 0 | $18.83 | $8.61 |
| Efficient EV | 44.8 | 0 | $15.69 | $7.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.7 | 0 | $25.10 | $11.48 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Destination
Peoria, IL
Morning in Peoria on Tuesday
Local time
7:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°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
6 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 26m 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 is primarily a highway-focused drive, with the majority of your travel occurring on major interstates. You'll spend 82% of your time on highways, making for a relatively fast-paced journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 113 miles on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, indicating significant periods of consistent driving. Expect to navigate segments of the Tri-State Tollway and I-74, which are designed for efficient travel. The road character remains largely consistent as a highway experience throughout the 179.3 miles.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113 mi on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 74. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.
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 13 significant decision points across 179.3 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 2.2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Riverwoods, IL to Peoria, IL, road signs begin pointing toward St. Louis along the way.
St. Louis
30.9 mi in
|
~39m
About the Cities
Arriving 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
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 26m. Total distance: 179.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.77 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 Peoria, 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 2.2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Peoria, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Peoria, IL
More trips to Peoria, IL
Explore more options from Riverwoods, IL or browse trips ending in Peoria, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.