Third Lake, IL to North Peoria, IL is 200 miles and takes about 3h 54m via Adlai Stevenson Expressway and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Illinois, making it a straightforward drive. Given its relatively short duration and highway focus, it's a good option for a quick trip or a segment of a larger journey. You'll spend most of your time on major expressways and tollways, so expect consistent travel speeds. Plan for a single day of driving to comfortably reach your destination.
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
100 miles from Third Lake, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
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 Third Lake, IL and North Peoria, IL.
1
Start on South Lake Avenue
39 ft·3 sec·South Lake Avenue
2
Turn right onto Sunshine Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Sunshine Avenue
3
Turn left onto North Grant Avenue
245 ft·18 sec·North Grant Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 45
0.6 mi·1 min·US 45
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto Rollins Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Rollins Road
Use the right lane.
6
Turn right onto IL 132
2.3 mi·3 min·West Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 94 East Toll: ChicagoUse the straight / right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 94
16 mi·18 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
23 mi·28 min·Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'HareUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
1.2 mi·1 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 23Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 55
113 mi·2 hr 6 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·49 sec
Toward I 74 West: PeoriaUse the slight right lane.
16
Continue on I 74
27 mi·29 min·I 74
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
6.7 mi·8 min·I 74
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward IL 40 North: Knoxville Avenue
19
Turn straight onto IL 40
1.0 mi·1 min·North Knoxville Avenue
20
Turn right onto East McClure Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·East McClure Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
East McClure Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 200-mile drive, consider departing in the mid-morning to avoid peak rush hour traffic leaving the Chicago metropolitan area. With a total duration of under 4 hours, you likely won't need more than one planned stop for fuel or a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 113-mile stretch on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, as services can be spaced further apart on longer highway segments. The $31 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices as you plan. This is a manageable one-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times.
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 100 miles from Third Lake, IL, or about 2h 1m 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 44 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100 miles or 2h 1m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Peoria, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Third Lake, 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 Third Lake, IL
This is one driving day of about 200 miles and 3h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Third Lake, 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.
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 0.5 and 50.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.5 mi into trip|~2m in|US 45
Turn left onto US 45
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
1.6 mi into trip|~4m in|IL 132 / West Grand Avenue
Turn right onto IL 132 / West Grand Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
20.8 mi into trip|~27m 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
48.3 mi into trip|~1h 2m 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.
7
50.1 mi into trip|~1h 5m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.51 one way
$61.02 round trip
$3.88/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.27
$33.61
$67.21
premium
$4.81
$37.84
$75.69
diesel
$5.40
$42.54
$85.09
Estimated Tolls: $2.70
Tri-state Tollway
(45.1 mi)$2.70
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
$31
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
EV Charging Along Route
20 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
American Place Casino - Tesla Supercharger
Waukegan, IL
Tesla
20 DCFC
Target - Tesla Supercharger
Highland Park, IL
Tesla
12 DCFC
Woodman's - Tesla Supercharger
Buffalo Grove, IL
Tesla
12 DCFC
Thorntons, E. Rollins Rd, Round Lake Beach, IL
Round Lake Beach, IL
BP_PULSE
6 DCFC
BP Gurnee
Gurnee, IL
NAYAX_ENERGY
6 DCFC
Vernon Hills, IL Rechargery Relay @ Casey's - E Townline Rd
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60
0
$21.00
$9.60
Efficient EV
50
0
$17.50
$8.00
EV Truck/SUV
80
0
$28.00
$12.80
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Forecast as of Apr 26, 2026
Origin
Third Lake, IL
Night
in Third Lake on Saturday
Local time
9:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
North Peoria, IL
Night
in North Peoria on Saturday
Local time
9:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Mostly Clear
ENE 7 mph0% chanceLive 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
7 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 54m 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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 48.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 74% of the 200 miles on major expressways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 113 miles on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, indicating a significant portion of the trip will be on this limited-access road. The transition to surface roads will likely occur later in the drive as you approach North Peoria. Expect to encounter numerous exits and entrances on the early portions of the route due to its urban and suburban beginnings.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near US 45.
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 17 significant decision points across 200 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 0.5 miles (US 45): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (IL 132 / West Grand Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.8 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Between Third Lake, IL and North Peoria, IL, road signs point toward O'hare and St. Louis.
O'hare
20.8 mi in|~27m|via I 294
St. Louis
49.5 mi in|~1h 3m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 54m. Total distance: 200 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). 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 $2.70 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 21 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 North 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. There are 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (US 45): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (IL 132 / West Grand Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.8 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at North Peoria, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
