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Trip from Winnetka, IL to North Peoria, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 37m

Distance

182.7 mi

294 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 25m ★
6 AM
3h 37m
8 AM
4h 2m
10 AM
3h 46m
12 PM
3h 44m
3 PM
3h 47m
5 PM
4h 1m
8 PM
3h 30m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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village in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Winnetka, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown North Peoria, IL, IL

North Peoria, IL

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

Embarking on a 182.7-mile journey from Winnetka, IL, to North Peoria, IL, will take approximately 3 hours and 37 minutes of driving. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $29, the budget is quite manageable. The route primarily utilizes the Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I-74, with a significant portion on the Tri-State Tollway. Given its relatively short duration and the prevalence of major roadways, you can expect a consistent pace throughout this Midwest to Midwest transit within Illinois.

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

91.3 miles from Winnetka, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Adlai Stevenson Expressway 113 mi 2h 6m
I 74 34.1 mi 37m
Tri-State Tollway 24.3 mi 30m
Willow Road 6.6 mi 12m
North Knoxville Avenue 1 mi 1m
Locust Road 0.5 mi 1m
East McClure Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
Pine Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Adlai Stevenson Expressway — 113 mi, about 2h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Winnetka, IL and North Peoria, IL.

1

Start on Pine Street

0.3 mi · 48 sec · Pine Street
2

Turn left onto Locust Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Locust Road
3

At end of road, turn right onto Willow Road

6.6 mi · 12 min · Willow Road
Use the right lane.
4

Turn left

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 294 Toll South: Indiana Use the left lane.
5

Merge onto I 294

18 mi · 23 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 23 Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the slight right lane.
10

Merge onto I 55

113 mi · 2 hr 6 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 49 sec
Toward I 74 West: Peoria Use the slight right lane.
12

Continue on I 74

27 mi · 29 min · I 74
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 74

6.7 mi · 8 min · I 74
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward IL 40 North: Knoxville Avenue
15

Turn straight onto IL 40

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Knoxville Avenue
16

Turn right onto East McClure Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · East McClure Avenue
17

Arrive at destination

East McClure Avenue

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour and 37-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Winnetka to avoid potential traffic, especially as you begin on the Tri-State Tollway. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 113 miles, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $29 estimated cost suggests a relatively efficient journey, but it's always wise to top off before heading out. The direct nature of this route means you can be quite flexible with your timing and stop schedule.

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 91.3 miles from Winnetka, IL, or about 1h 53m 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 40 miles or 56m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 91.3 miles or 1h 53m 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 59m

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 Winnetka, 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 Winnetka, IL

This is one driving day of about 182.7 miles and 3h 37m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Winnetka, 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.

city in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Joliet, IL

91 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.

Popular next leg

Joliet, IL to North Peoria, IL

130.9 mi · 2h 27m

Pacing Suggestions

Downers Grove, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Joliet, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 91.3 miles from Winnetka, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113 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.

Best meal stop · early in the drive

Taste of Jerusalem

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Plainfield, Illinois

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch · 1h 2m in 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–7:30 pm

+18157826500

Visit website

Cafe Smilga

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Darien, Illinois

1.4 mi

Fort Jesse Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Normal, Illinois

1.6 mi

Best coffee break · early in the drive

Kafé De Kasa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crest Hill, Illinois

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch · 1h 2m in 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18156303694

Visit website

Ten Drops Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Plainfield, Illinois

2.4 mi

Taste of Jerusalem

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Plainfield, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–7:30 pm

+18157826500

Visit website

Cafe Smilga

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Darien, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+16304270929

Visit website

Fort Jesse Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Normal, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13094515656

Visit website

Bloomin Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Normal, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+13098081071

Visit website

LongHorn Steakhouse

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately

Bolingbrook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16307830684

Visit website

Urban Kitchen

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Crest Hill, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18157826417

Visit website

One World

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 7:30 am–8 pm

+13096721522

Visit website

Haddad's Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–7:30 pm

+13096725339

Kafé De Kasa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Crest Hill, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18156303694

Visit website

Ten Drops Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Plainfield, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+16306962137

Visit website

Critical Grind Board Game Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

Early stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Shorewood, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+18156304235

Visit website

Emmys Cafe & Gaming

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Braidwood, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+18153905133

Bonny's Bistro

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+18476271095

Visit website

Emmy's Cafe & Gaming

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Coal City, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+18155185375

Brick & Ivy Coffee Co.

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Early stretch 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Channahon, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+12176638389

Visit website

The Happy Crab Mobile Coffee Bar

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10

Minooka, Illinois

+18155928941

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 5 am–12 pm

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Rivian Waypoints

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484261

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484273

Visit website

InCharge Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Morton, Illinois

+13092913039

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Dock Rotz Tavern

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Minooka, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18154672200

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 32.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
0.8 mi into trip | ~2m in | Willow Road

At end of road, turn right onto Willow Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
7.4 mi into trip | ~14m in

Turn left toward I 294 Toll South: Indiana

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 294 Toll South: Indiana
6
31 mi into trip | ~45m 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
32.2 mi into trip | ~46m 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
32.8 mi into trip | ~47m 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

$28.56 one way

$57.13 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 64 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $31.36 $62.72
premium $4.89 $35.16 $70.32
diesel $5.61 $40.34 $80.68

Estimated Tolls: $1.45

Tri-state Tollway (24.3 mi) $1.45

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

$29

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 63.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 54.8 0 $19.18 $8.77
Efficient EV 45.7 0 $15.99 $7.31
EV Truck/SUV 73.1 0 $25.58 $11.69

Gas CO2

64 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.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Winnetka, IL

Late night in Winnetka on Tuesday

Local time

3:50 AM

CDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

North Peoria, IL

Late night in North Peoria on Tuesday

Local time

3:50 AM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Slight Chance Rain Showers

NW 13 mph 16% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 18 at 5:50AM CDT until April 21 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 18 at 5:48AM 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

16 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 37m 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

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 ~41 min detour Free near mile 31.5
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly a highway experience, with 81% of the journey on major interstates. You'll encounter the Adlai Stevenson Expressway for its longest stretch, covering 113 miles without interruption, which sets a brisk pace. The character of the road is consistent for the majority of the trip, emphasizing efficient travel over varied scenery. Expect a straightforward driving experience as you navigate these key expressways connecting the northern suburbs of Chicago to the central Illinois region.

81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 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 I 74. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near Willow Road.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 13 significant decision points across 182.7 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 0.8 miles (Willow Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 31 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

830 ft 541 ft

Total Climb

460 ft

Total Descent

480 ft

Highest Point

830 ft

~143.5 mi in

Elevation Range

288 ft

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 Winnetka, IL to North Peoria, IL, road signs begin pointing toward St. Louis along the way.

St. Louis

32.2 mi in | ~46m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 37m. Total distance: 182.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (81%). 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 $1.45 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.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (Willow Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 31 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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