Embarking on a road trip from Saline, Illinois, to Peoria, Illinois, covers 263 miles and will take approximately 5 hours and 18 minutes of driving time. This journey is comfortably achievable as a single-day trip, with a modest fuel cost estimated around $41. The route primarily utilizes major highways, offering a straightforward and efficient transit through the heart of the Midwest. With one planned stop and a longest uninterrupted stretch of over 60 miles, you'll find this drive to be a practical and manageable option for getting between these two Illinois cities.
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
131.5 miles from Saline, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ken Gray Expressway
61.7 mi
1h 6m
I 155
32 mi
34m
I 55
30 mi
32m
IL 13
18 mi
22m
West Springfield Road
15.7 mi
18m
South Superior Street
15.1 mi
17m
300E
13.5 mi
15m
County Road 875 East
11.1 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
Ken Gray Expressway
— 61.7 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saline, IL and Peoria, IL.
1
Start on Peabody Road
1.1 mi·4 min·Peabody Road
2
Turn left onto US 45
3.7 mi·5 min·US 45
3
Turn left onto Mill Street
1.1 mi·2 min·Mill Street
4
Continue on Carrier Mills Road
2.4 mi·5 min·Carrier Mills Road
5
Turn left onto IL 13
18 mi·22 min·IL 13
6
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
7
Merge onto I 57
41 mi·44 min·Ken Gray Expressway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
20 mi·22 min·Ken Gray Expressway
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
10
Merge onto US 50
2.4 mi·2 min·West Main Street
11
Continue on US 50
2.7 mi·3 min·East Poplar Street
12
Continue on US 50
2.7 mi·3 min·Poplar
13
Turn right onto US 51
10 mi·11 min·150E
14
Continue on US 51
13 mi·15 min·300E
15
Turn left onto US 40; US 51; IL 185
0.5 mi·35 sec·US 40; US 51; IL 185
16
Turn right onto US 40; US 51; IL 185
1.6 mi·1 min·North Kennedy Boulevard
17
Continue on US 51
11 mi·12 min·County Road 875 East
18
Continue on US 51
15 mi·17 min·South Superior Street
19
Continue on US 51
2.0 mi·2 min·County Road 2400 East
20
Continue on US 51
0.6 mi·2 min·Fair Avenue
21
Continue on US 51
0.3 mi·29 sec·South Poplar Street
22
Turn left onto IL 16
0.4 mi·1 min·West 2nd Street
23
Turn right onto South State Street
0.2 mi·52 sec·South State Street
24
Turn left onto IL 29
0.3 mi·45 sec·West Washington Street
25
Continue on IL 29
5.4 mi·7 min·N 2000 East Road
26
Continue on IL 29
5.1 mi·7 min·State Route 29
27
Continue on East Park Street
5.3 mi·7 min·East Park Street
28
Turn right onto IL 29
0.4 mi·32 sec·North Webster Street
29
Continue on IL 29
16 mi·18 min·West Springfield Road
Use the straight lane.
30
Continue on IL 29
1.3 mi·1 min·IL 29
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on IL 29
5.4 mi·7 min·IL 29
Use the straight lane.
32
Continue on IL 29
0.5 mi·41 sec·IL 29
Use the straight lane.
33
Take the exit
0.5 mi·54 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 72 East
34
Merge onto I 55; I 72; US 36
30 mi·32 min·I 55; I 72; US 36
35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 155
32 mi·34 min·I 155
Exit 127Toward I 155 North: Peoria, Hartsburg
36
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
37
Merge onto I 74
1.0 mi·1 min·I 74
38
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
6.0 mi·7 min·I 74
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
39
Take the exit onto IL 29
0.2 mi·23 sec·IL 29
Toward IL 29 North: Downtown Peoria
40
Continue on Spalding Avenue
452 ft·20 sec·Spalding Avenue
41
Turn left onto IL 29
0.2 mi·16 sec·Northeast Jefferson Avenue
42
Arrive at destination
Northeast Jefferson Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive from Saline to Peoria, starting early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid any potential rush hour congestion, though this route is primarily highway-based. With only one recommended stop, plan it strategically for a break during the longest stretch on Ken Gray Expressway. The estimated fuel cost of $41 means you should monitor your fuel gauge, especially before departing the Saline area. Given the manageable duration, you have flexibility in your stop timing, but be aware of the highway transitions between I-55 and I-155 as you approach Peoria.
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 131.5 miles from Saline, IL, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.7 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 58 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.5 miles or 2h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 25m
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 Saline, 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 Saline, IL
This is one driving day of about 263 miles and 5h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Saline, 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 Ken Gray Expressway for about 61.7 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 68.7 and 222.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
68.7 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
5
89.1 mi into trip|~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
5
152.9 mi into trip|~3h 6m in|IL 29 / West Washington Street
Turn left onto IL 29 / West Washington Street
Navigation decision point
5
192.3 mi into trip|~3h 59m in
Take the exit toward I 55 North, I 72 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, I 72 East
7
222.7 mi into trip|~4h 32m in|I 155
Keep slight left at fork onto I 155 toward I 155 North: Peoria, Hartsburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 127
Toward I 155 North: Peoria, Hartsburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.12 one way
$82.23 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$45.14
$90.29
premium
$4.89
$50.61
$101.22
diesel
$5.61
$58.07
$116.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.9
0
$27.61
$12.62
Efficient EV
65.8
0
$23.01
$10.52
EV Truck/SUV
105.2
1
$36.82
$16.83
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Saline, IL
Late night
in Saline on Tuesday
Local time
5:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 9 mph35% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 7:58AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 7:30AM CDT until April 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Peoria, IL
Late night
in Peoria on Tuesday
Local time
5:11 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
13 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
5h 18m 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.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive offers a predominantly fast-paced experience, with 63% of the journey on interstates. You'll navigate segments of Ken Gray Expressway, I-155, and I-55, which allow for consistent travel speeds. The longest continuous stretch on Ken Gray Expressway spans 61.7 miles, providing a good period of uninterrupted driving. While the profile is largely highway, expect the character of the roads to shift as you transition between these major arteries, maintaining a focus on efficiency and direct travel.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.7 mi on Ken Gray Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Ken Gray Expressway and I 155. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 68.7 miles in near I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway.
Driving Effort9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 263 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 68.7 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 89.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 152.9 miles (IL 29 / West Washington Street): Navigation decision point.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Saline, IL and Peoria, IL, road signs point toward Sandoval and Hartsburg.
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 5h 18m. Total distance: 263 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.7 miles on Ken Gray Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 68.7 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 89.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 152.9 miles (IL 29 / West Washington Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Peoria, IL before the return drive.
