Origin
South Chicago Heights, IL
Morning in South Chicago Heights on Sunday
Local time
11:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from South Chicago Heights, IL to Peoria, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 56m
Distance
149.3 mi
240 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 46m
★
6 AM
2h 57m
8 AM
3h 19m
10 AM
3h 5m
12 PM
3h 3m
3 PM
3h 6m
5 PM
3h 18m
8 PM
2h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Chicago Heights, IL
John Hill
Peoria, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 149.3-mile drive from South Chicago Heights, IL, to Peoria, IL, is a straightforward 2-hour and 56-minute journey. With 80% of the route on highways, it's an efficient trip that works perfectly as a single-day adventure. You'll likely spend around $23 on fuel, and the drive focuses on getting you from point A to point B smoothly. Both your origin and destination are within the Midwest region, offering a familiar landscape. This is a practical option if you're looking for a quick and easy transition between two Illinois cities.
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
74.7 miles from South Chicago Heights, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 77.4 mi | 1h 22m |
| I 74 | 33.4 mi | 36m |
| West Wilmington Road | 12.1 mi | 16m |
| I 57 | 7.5 mi | 8m |
| West Peotone Road | 4 mi | 5m |
| New River Road | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| South Governors Highway | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| West Sauk Trail | 2 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 77.4 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Chicago Heights, IL and Peoria, IL.
1
Start on West Sauk Trail
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
West Sauk Trail
2
Turn left onto Western Avenue
403 ft
·
12 sec
·
Western Avenue
3
Turn right onto Monee Road
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Monee Road
4
Continue on CH 48
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Steger Monee Road
5
Turn right onto West Stuenkel Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West Stuenkel Road
6
Turn left onto South Governors Highway
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Governors Highway
7
Turn right onto CH 21
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Monee Manhattan Road
8
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I-57 South: Kankakee
9
Merge onto I 57
7.5 mi
·
8 min
·
I 57
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 327
Toward Peotone, Wilmington
11
Turn right onto CH 25
12 mi
·
16 min
·
West Wilmington Road
12
Continue on CH 25
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
West Peotone Road
13
Turn right onto IL 53
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
South Chicago Road
14
Turn left onto CH 44
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
New River Road
15
Continue on CH 44
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North River Road
16
Continue on CH 44
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
County Highway 44
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 55 South: Bloomington
18
Merge onto I 55
77 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
I 55
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
Use the slight right lane.
20
Continue on I 74
27 mi
·
29 min
·
I 74
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
I 74
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
22
Take the exit onto IL 29
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
IL 29
Toward IL 29 North: Downtown Peoria
23
Continue on Spalding Avenue
452 ft
·
20 sec
·
Spalding Avenue
24
Turn left onto IL 29
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Northeast Jefferson Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
Northeast Jefferson Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 56-minute drive, consider leaving in the morning to maximize your day in Peoria, as it's easily manageable in one go. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $23, planning is minimal. The longest stretch is 77.4 miles on I-55, so ensure you have enough fuel before embarking on that segment. Staying aware of the highway transitions between I-55 and I-74 will be key to a smooth drive, as these shifts are the most significant points of change on this efficient route.
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 74.7 miles from South Chicago Heights, IL, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.4 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 33 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.7 miles or 1h 35m 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 26m
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 South Chicago Heights, 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 South Chicago Heights, IL
This is one driving day of about 149.3 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from South Chicago Heights, 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 77.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 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 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 74.7 miles from South Chicago Heights, 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 77.4 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 175 decision points cluster between mile 8.5 and 114.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
8.5 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Turn left toward I-57 South: Kankakee
Navigation decision point
Toward I-57 South: Kankakee
6
16.3 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Take the exit toward Peotone, Wilmington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 327
Toward Peotone, Wilmington
5
37.3 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Take the ramp toward I 55 South: Bloomington
Navigation decision point
Toward I 55 South: Bloomington
5
37.5 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
I 55
Merge onto I 55
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
114.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m 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
$23.34 one way
$46.68 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
52 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $25.63 | $51.26 |
| premium | $4.89 | $28.73 | $57.46 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.96 | $65.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.8 | 0 | $15.68 | $7.17 |
| Efficient EV | 37.3 | 0 | $13.06 | $5.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59.7 | 0 | $20.90 | $9.56 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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 Sunday
Local time
11:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
70°F
Reading, IL
75 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
17 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 56m 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.
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
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?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this trip, with 80% of the 149.3 miles utilizing major interstates. The primary roads guiding you include I-55 and I-74, with a segment on West Wilmington Road. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 77.4 miles on I-55, so be prepared for sustained highway driving. While the profile is largely interstate, the shift between these highways will mark the progression of your journey. This route prioritizes efficiency over winding backroads.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77.4 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 74. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 8.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 149.3 miles you will encounter 17 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: at 8.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.3 miles: Navigation decision point.
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.
Between South Chicago Heights, IL and Peoria, IL, road signs point toward Peotone and Wilmington.
Peotone
16.3 mi in
|
~25m
Wilmington
16.3 mi in
|
~25m
About the Cities
Starting in South Chicago Heights, IL
Full guide →Arriving in Peoria, IL
Full guide →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.
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 56m. Total distance: 149.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 77.4 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 8.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.3 miles: Navigation decision point.
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 Peoria, 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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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