Mackinaw Dells Rest Area Westbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Wheeling, IL to North Peoria, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 29m
Distance
178.9 mi
288 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
16 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 17m
★
6 AM
3h 29m
8 AM
3h 54m
10 AM
3h 38m
12 PM
3h 35m
3 PM
3h 39m
5 PM
3h 53m
8 PM
3h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wheeling, IL
Wikimedia Commons
North Peoria, IL
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from Wheeling, IL to North Peoria, IL covers 178.9 miles and takes about 3h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I 74, I 355 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 105.2 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.56 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
89.4 miles from Wheeling, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Adlai Stevenson Expressway | 105.2 mi | 1h 55m |
| I 74 | 34.1 mi | 37m |
| I 355 | 20.1 mi | 25m |
| IL 53 | 10.2 mi | 13m |
| Palatine Road | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| South Elmhurst Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| North Elmhurst Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| North Knoxville Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
— 105.2 mi, about 1h 55m
Traffic on I-55
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
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Wheeling, IL and North Peoria, IL.
1
Start on Railroad Avenue
33 ft
·
5 sec
·
Railroad Avenue
2
Turn right onto IL 68
168 ft
·
31 sec
·
West Dundee Road
3
Continue on IL 68
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West Dundee Road
4
Turn left onto IL 83
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Elmhurst Road
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on IL 83
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Elmhurst Road
6
Turn right onto West Frontage Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Frontage Road
7
Turn left onto Schoenbeck Road
28 ft
·
3 sec
·
Schoenbeck Road
8
Turn right onto Palatine Road
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Palatine Road
Use the left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward IL 53 South
10
Merge onto IL 53
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
7.0 mi
·
9 min
·
IL 53
Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 355
20 mi
·
25 min
·
I 355
Exit 7
Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
Use the slight left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 12A
Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward Joliet Road South
Use the slight left lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 55
105 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
Use the slight right lane.
18
Continue on I 74
27 mi
·
29 min
·
I 74
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
6.7 mi
·
8 min
·
I 74
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward IL 40 North: Knoxville Avenue
21
Turn straight onto IL 40
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Knoxville Avenue
22
Turn right onto East McClure Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East McClure Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
East McClure Avenue
Trip Plan
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 89.4 miles from Wheeling, IL, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.2 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 39 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.4 miles or 1h 48m 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 51m
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 Wheeling, 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 Wheeling, IL
This is one driving day of about 178.9 miles and 3h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Wheeling, 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 105.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 89.4 miles from Wheeling, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Mackinaw Dells Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Limestone Rest Area (Southbound)
0.1 mi from route
Limestone Rest Area (Northbound)
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Greater Chicago Truck Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 9.4 and 37.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
9.4 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
IL 53
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53 toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
8
16.4 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
I 355
Keep slight left at fork onto I 355 toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 7
Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
8
36.5 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Take the exit toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12A
Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
7
36.8 mi into trip
|
~50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Joliet Road South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Joliet Road South
7
37.1 mi into trip
|
~51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.56 one way
$53.12 round trip
$3.77/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $29.96 | $59.91 |
| premium | $4.65 | $32.78 | $65.56 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $37.36 | $74.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.6 kg one way.
EV Charging Along Route
16 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Meijer - Tesla Supercharger
Rolling Meadows, IL
Tesla
22 DCFC
Woodman's - Tesla Supercharger
Buffalo Grove, IL
Tesla
12 DCFC
Abt Electronics - Tesla Supercharger
Glenview, IL
Tesla
10 DCFC
RPT Realty Deer Grove Centre (Palatine, IL)
Palatine, IL
Electrify America
8 DCFC
Meacham DCFC’s -HCS
Schaumburg, IL
Blink Network
6 DCFC
NorthWest Electric
Mount Prospect, IL
NOODOE
4 DCFC
801 W Dundee Rd
Arlington Heights, IL
EV Connect
4 DCFC
Arlington Acura of Palatine - Front Parking
Palatine, IL
Blink Network
4 DCFC
Tesla: 4
ChargePoint Network: 3
EV Connect: 2
Blink Network: 2
Electrify America: 2
NOODOE: 1
Non-Networked: 1
POWERPUMP: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.7 | 0 | $18.78 | $8.59 |
| Efficient EV | 44.7 | 0 | $15.65 | $7.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.6 | 0 | $25.05 | $11.45 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Origin
Wheeling, IL
Afternoon in Wheeling on Sunday
Local time
4:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Partly Sunny
E 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 26 at 11:09AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 26 at 11:09AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
North Peoria, IL
Afternoon in North Peoria on Sunday
Local time
4:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Sunny
SE 9 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 26 at 11:09AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 26 at 11:09AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
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
19 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 29m 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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 37
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?
178.9 mi in 3h 29m, mostly highway — 105.2 mi of that is on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.2 mi on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 74. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.4 miles in near IL 53.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 178.9 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 9.4 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.4 miles (I 355): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 36.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Wheeling, IL and North Peoria, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Joliet Road South.
Saint Louis
36.5 mi in
|
~49m
Joliet Road South
36.8 mi in
|
~50m
About the Cities
Starting in Wheeling, IL
Full guide →Wheeling is a village in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. It is home to about 39,000 people (census, 1 April 2020) .
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 3h 29m. Total distance: 178.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105.2 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.4 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.4 miles (I 355): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 36.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at North Peoria, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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