Wadsworth, IL to North Peoria, IL is 201.2 miles and takes about 3h 54m via Adlai Stevenson Expressway, Tri-State Tollway, and I 74, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region toward another part of the Midwest. It's a fairly straightforward trip mostly on major highways, making it a good option if you're looking for a direct route between these two points. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, so expect a consistent driving experience for the majority of the 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
100.6 miles from Wadsworth, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 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 Wadsworth, IL and North Peoria, IL.
1
Start on North Chicago Avenue
60 ft·7 sec·North Chicago Avenue
2
Turn left onto CH A9
0.7 mi·1 min·West Wadsworth Road
3
Turn left onto US 41
6.2 mi·7 min·North Skokie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Turn slight right onto IL 43
0.5 mi·50 sec·IL 43
Toward IL 43 South, IL 120 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on Waukegan Road
2.4 mi·3 min·Waukegan Road
6
Turn right onto IL 137
0.7 mi·1 min·Buckley Road
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 94 Toll East: ChicagoUse the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 94
11 mi·12 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
Given the 3 hour 54 minute drive time, starting your trip in the morning is advisable to ensure you have ample daylight. The route has only one recommended stop, but with a drive under 4 hours, you might not need it. You can comfortably complete this trip in one day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $31; it's always wise to refuel before embarking on longer stretches, especially the 113 miles on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway where services might be less frequent. Being a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart when it's most convenient for you.
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 100.6 miles from Wadsworth, IL, or about 2h 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 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.6 miles or 2h 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 Wadsworth, 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 Wadsworth, IL
This is one driving day of about 201.2 miles and 3h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Wadsworth, 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 22 and 164.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
22 mi into trip|~28m 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
49.5 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.
6
50.7 mi into trip|~1h 3m in
Take the exit toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 23
Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
7
51.3 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
6
164.8 mi into trip|~3h 12m 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
$30.69 one way
$61.39 round trip
$3.88/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.27
$33.81
$67.62
premium
$4.81
$38.07
$76.14
diesel
$5.40
$42.80
$85.60
Estimated Tolls: $2.38
Tri-state Tollway
(39.7 mi)$2.38
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
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.4
0
$21.13
$9.66
Efficient EV
50.3
0
$17.60
$8.05
EV Truck/SUV
80.5
1
$28.17
$12.88
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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 25, 2026
Origin
Wadsworth, IL
Night
in Wadsworth on Saturday
Local time
9:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Sunny
NE 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 10:45AM CDT until April 30 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 10:35AM CDT until April 26 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
North Peoria, IL
Night
in North Peoria on Saturday
Local time
9:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
ENE 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 10:45AM CDT until April 30 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 10:35AM CDT until April 26 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
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
20 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
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 48.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 73% of this 201.2-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch on a major road is 113 miles, primarily on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway. After the interstate portions, you'll transition to surface roads for the remaining miles into North Peoria. Expect a lot of merging and exiting as you navigate the interstate system before reaching your destination.
73% 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 22 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.
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 16 significant decision points across 201.2 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 22 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.5 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.7 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.
Between Wadsworth, IL and North Peoria, IL, road signs point toward O'hare and St. Louis.
O'hare
22 mi in|~28m|via I 294
St. Louis
50.7 mi in|~1h 3m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 54m. Total distance: 201.2 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 (73%). 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 $2.38 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 20 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 22 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.5 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
