Vernon to North Peoria is 154.8 miles and takes about 3h 7m via I 155, I 55, and West Springfield Road, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving from one Midwest locale to another. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface street driving as you make your way north. With just one recommended stop and a drive time under four hours, this route is easily manageable as a single-day excursion. The relatively low fuel cost makes it an economical option for a quick trip.
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
77.4 miles from Vernon, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 155
32 mi
34m
I 55
30 mi
32m
West Springfield Road
15.7 mi
18m
South Superior Street
15.1 mi
17m
County Road 875 East
11.1 mi
12m
US 51
10.9 mi
12m
I 74
7.7 mi
9m
IL 29
7.2 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 155
— 32 mi, about 34m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,955 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,420
Quietest
2 AM
~176 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 49 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 Vernon, IL and North Peoria, IL.
1
Start on this road
122 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto West Broadway Street
147 ft·12 sec·West Broadway Street
3
Turn left onto US 51
11 mi·12 min·US 51
4
Turn left onto US 40; US 51; IL 185
0.5 mi·35 sec·US 40; US 51; IL 185
5
Turn right onto US 40; US 51; IL 185
1.6 mi·1 min·North Kennedy Boulevard
6
Continue on US 51
11 mi·12 min·County Road 875 East
7
Continue on US 51
15 mi·17 min·South Superior Street
8
Continue on US 51
2.0 mi·2 min·County Road 2400 East
9
Continue on US 51
0.6 mi·2 min·Fair Avenue
10
Continue on US 51
0.3 mi·29 sec·South Poplar Street
11
Turn left onto IL 16
0.4 mi·1 min·West 2nd Street
12
Turn right onto South State Street
0.2 mi·52 sec·South State Street
13
Turn left onto IL 29
0.3 mi·45 sec·West Washington Street
14
Continue on IL 29
5.4 mi·7 min·N 2000 East Road
15
Continue on IL 29
5.1 mi·7 min·State Route 29
16
Continue on East Park Street
5.3 mi·7 min·East Park Street
17
Turn right onto IL 29
0.4 mi·32 sec·North Webster Street
18
Continue on IL 29
16 mi·18 min·West Springfield Road
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on IL 29
1.3 mi·1 min·IL 29
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on IL 29
5.4 mi·7 min·IL 29
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on IL 29
0.5 mi·41 sec·IL 29
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi·54 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 72 East
23
Merge onto I 55; I 72; US 36
30 mi·32 min·I 55; I 72; US 36
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 155
32 mi·34 min·I 155
Exit 127Toward I 155 North: Peoria, Hartsburg
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
26
Merge onto I 74
1.0 mi·1 min·I 74
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
6.7 mi·8 min·I 74
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward IL 40 North: Knoxville Avenue
29
Turn straight onto IL 40
1.0 mi·1 min·North Knoxville Avenue
30
Turn right onto East McClure Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·East McClure Avenue
31
Arrive at destination
East McClure Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 7m duration, leaving Vernon in the morning will give you plenty of time to reach North Peoria with daylight to spare. While the total distance is 154.8 miles, the single recommended stop is well-placed for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $24, and it’s always wise to top off before heading out. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, splitting this into two days is certainly possible, though not strictly necessary. One practical tip is to be aware of the transition from I 55 to West Springfield Road; this is where the driving environment will change most noticeably.
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 77.4 miles from Vernon, IL, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32 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 34 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.4 miles or 1h 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 2h 34m
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 Vernon, 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 Vernon, IL
This is one driving day of about 154.8 miles and 3h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Vernon, 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 155 for about 32 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 144.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|West Broadway Street
Turn right onto West Broadway Street
Navigation decision point
5
42.6 mi into trip|~52m in|IL 29 / West Washington Street
Turn left onto IL 29 / West Washington Street
Navigation decision point
5
82 mi into trip|~1h 45m 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
112.5 mi into trip|~2h 18m 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
144.4 mi into trip|~2h 52m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 74 West: Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.19 one way
$48.38 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.37
$26.63
$53.25
premium
$4.88
$29.73
$59.46
diesel
$5.35
$32.61
$65.22
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: 54.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-27.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.4
0
$16.25
$7.43
Efficient EV
38.7
0
$13.55
$6.19
EV Truck/SUV
61.9
0
$21.67
$9.91
Gas CO2
54 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
Vernon, IL
Late night
in Vernon on Wednesday
Local time
2:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Sunny
SE 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
North Peoria, IL
Late night
in North Peoria on Wednesday
Local time
2:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Springfield, IL
77 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
6 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
3h 7m 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?
About 60% of this 154.8-mile route is on highways, with the longest continuous stretch being 32 miles on I 155. You'll transition from highway driving to surface roads, specifically West Springfield Road, as you get closer to your destination. This means you'll experience periods of faster travel punctuated by more frequent exits and potentially lower speed limits on the latter part of the drive. The profile is mixed highway and surface, so be prepared for a change in driving pace.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32 mi on I 155.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Broadway Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 154.8 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: near the start (West Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 42.6 miles (IL 29 / West Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 82 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.
On the drive from Vernon, IL to North Peoria, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Hartsburg along the way.
Hartsburg
112.5 mi in|~2h 18m|via I 155
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 7m. Total distance: 154.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32 miles on I 155. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 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 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 42.6 miles (IL 29 / West Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 82 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at North Peoria, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
