Upper Alton, IL to North Peoria, IL is 157.1 miles and takes about 3h 2m via I 55 and I 155, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, connecting two points in the Midwest region. It's a straightforward drive that relies heavily on interstate highways, making it a quick and efficient option for getting between these two locations. Given the relatively short duration and highway-centric nature, this route is best suited for a single-day trip where efficiency is key.
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
78.6 miles from Upper Alton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
96.7 mi
1h 44m
I 155
32 mi
34m
State Route 140
9.7 mi
13m
I 74
7.7 mi
9m
College Avenue
2.4 mi
3m
West Bethalto Drive
1.8 mi
3m
West MacArthur Drive
1.4 mi
2m
West Macarthur Drive
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 96.7 mi, about 1h 44m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,843 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,285
Quietest
2 AM
~153 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 52 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 Upper Alton, IL and North Peoria, IL.
1
Start on Washington Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Washington Avenue
2
Turn left onto IL 140
2.4 mi·3 min·College Avenue
3
Continue on IL 111; IL 140
1.3 mi·2 min·West Macarthur Drive
4
Continue on IL 111; IL 140
1.4 mi·2 min·West MacArthur Drive
5
Continue on IL 140
1.8 mi·3 min·West Bethalto Drive
6
Continue on IL 140
9.6 mi·13 min·State Route 140
7
Continue on IL 140
0.8 mi·1 min·West State Street
8
Continue on IL 140
443 ft·13 sec·State Route 140
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
10
Merge onto I 55
97 mi·1 hr 44 min·I 55
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 155
32 mi·34 min·I 155
Exit 127Toward I 155 North: Peoria, Hartsburg
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
13
Merge onto I 74
1.0 mi·1 min·I 74
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
6.7 mi·8 min·I 74
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward IL 40 North: Knoxville Avenue
16
Turn straight onto IL 40
1.0 mi·1 min·North Knoxville Avenue
17
Turn right onto East McClure Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·East McClure Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
East McClure Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 3-hour drive, consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the peak rush hour in either the starting or ending area. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility with stops, but it's wise to plan at least one break. The longest stretch without a major road change is 96.7 miles on I 55, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as services can be spaced out on interstate stretches.
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 78.6 miles from Upper Alton, IL, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.7 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 35 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.6 miles or 1h 34m 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 28m
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 Upper Alton, 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 Upper Alton, IL
This is one driving day of about 157.1 miles and 3h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Upper Alton, 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 96.7 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.8 and 155.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
17.8 mi into trip|~28m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
7
114.8 mi into trip|~2h 13m 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
5
146.8 mi into trip|~2h 47m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 74 West: Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
5
148.7 mi into trip|~2h 50m in|I 74
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74 toward I 74 West: Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
4
155.4 mi into trip|~2h 59m in
Take the exit toward IL 40 North: Knoxville Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward IL 40 North: Knoxville Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.97 one way
$47.93 round trip
$3.88/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.27
$26.40
$52.80
premium
$4.81
$29.73
$59.45
diesel
$5.40
$33.42
$66.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.1
0
$16.50
$7.54
Efficient EV
39.3
0
$13.75
$6.28
EV Truck/SUV
62.8
0
$21.99
$10.05
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Upper Alton, IL
Morning
in Upper Alton on Sunday
Local time
6:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
North Peoria, IL
Morning
in North Peoria on Sunday
Local time
6:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Partly Cloudy
ENE 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 9:27PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 9:27PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
63°F
Springfield, IL
79 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 2m 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.
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 drive is predominantly highway, with 93% of the 157.1 miles on interstates like I 55 and I 155. You'll experience a long stretch of 96.7 miles on I 55 before transitioning to other roads. Expect a consistent cruising experience for most of the trip, with fewer surface road sections. The highway focus means you'll likely encounter a steady flow of traffic and a limited number of exits for extended periods.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 96.7 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 155. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 17.8 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
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 157.1 miles you will encounter 9 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 17.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 114.8 miles (I 155): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 Upper Alton, IL to North Peoria, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Hartsburg along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 2m. Total distance: 157.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 96.7 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 114.8 miles (I 155): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at North Peoria, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
