Origin
York, IL
Late night in York on Tuesday
Local time
5:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from York, IL to Pekin, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 9m
Distance
193.9 mi
312 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 56m
★
6 AM
4h 10m
8 AM
4h 36m
10 AM
4h 19m
12 PM
4h 16m
3 PM
4h 20m
5 PM
4h 35m
8 PM
4h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
York, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Pekin, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking on a road trip from York, Illinois, to Pekin, Illinois, covers 193.9 miles and is estimated to take about 4 hours and 9 minutes. This drive is best suited as a single-day trip, with a projected fuel cost of around $30. You'll primarily navigate on I-74 and IL-1, with a significant 79% of the journey on highways. The overall feel of this route is focused on efficient travel through the Midwest. Given the relatively short duration, it's a manageable drive for a single day, allowing for a timely arrival at your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
96.9 miles from York, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 74 | 114.6 mi | 2h 4m |
| IL 1 | 31.3 mi | 46m |
| Georgetown Road | 29.8 mi | 44m |
| I 474 | 5.1 mi | 5m |
| Radio City Drive | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| IL Route 1 | 2.4 mi | 6m |
| East 150th Road | 1.9 mi | 7m |
| North State Street | 1.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 74
— 114.6 mi, about 2h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between York, IL and Pekin, IL.
1
Start on North York Street
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
North York Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto West Broadway Street
0.2 mi
·
56 sec
·
West Broadway Street
3
Continue on East 150th Road
1.9 mi
·
7 min
·
East 150th Road
4
Turn sharp right onto IL 1
31 mi
·
46 min
·
IL 1
5
Continue on US 150; IL 1
2.4 mi
·
6 min
·
IL Route 1
6
Continue on US 150; IL 1
10 mi
·
14 min
·
Georgetown Road
7
Continue on US 150; IL 1
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
1575 E US 36
8
Continue on US 150; IL 1
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Georgetown Road
9
Continue on US 150; IL 1
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North State Street
10
Continue on US 150; IL 1
14 mi
·
20 min
·
Georgetown Road
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 74 West: Champaign
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 74 West
13
Merge onto I 74
86 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
I 74
14
Take the exit onto I 74
28 mi
·
30 min
·
I 74
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 474
5.1 mi
·
5 min
·
I 474
Exit 99
Toward I 474 West: Moline, Rock Island
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward IL 29: Pekin, East Peoria
17
Turn left onto IL 29
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
South Main Street
18
Continue on IL 29
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Radio City Drive
19
Keep slight right at fork onto IL 29
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Radio City Drive
20
Continue on IL 29
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
·
North 8th Street
21
Continue on IL 29
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
North 5th Street
22
Turn left onto Margaret Street
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Margaret Street
23
Continue on Court Street
470 ft
·
15 sec
·
Court Street
24
Turn left onto South 8th Street
223 ft
·
3 sec
·
South 8th Street
25
Arrive at destination
South 8th Street
Trip Plan
For this 193.9-mile drive, leaving in the morning will allow you to reach Pekin with plenty of daylight remaining. With a total duration of just over 4 hours, you'll likely only need one significant stop for fuel or a quick break. The longest stretch on I-74 is over 114 miles, so plan your rest stop before or after this segment to break up the highway time. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during that long stretch on I-74, to ensure a smooth continuation of your trip through Illinois.
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 96.9 miles from York, IL, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.6 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 43 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.9 miles or 2h 21m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pekin, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving York, 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 York, IL
This is one driving day of about 193.9 miles and 4h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from York, 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 74 for about 114.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
97 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 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 96.9 miles from York, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 74 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 114.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 188.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Broadway Street
At end of road, turn right onto West Broadway Street
Navigation decision point
5
2.3 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
IL 1
Turn sharp right onto IL 1
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
68.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 74 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 74 West
7
183.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 55m in
|
I 474
Keep slight left at fork onto I 474 toward I 474 West: Moline, Rock Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 99
Toward I 474 West: Moline, Rock Island
5
188.4 mi into trip
|
~4h in
Take the exit toward IL 29: Pekin, East Peoria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IL 29: Pekin, East Peoria
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.31 one way
$60.63 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $33.28 | $66.57 |
| premium | $4.89 | $37.31 | $74.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.81 | $85.62 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.2 | 0 | $20.36 | $9.31 |
| Efficient EV | 48.5 | 0 | $16.97 | $7.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77.6 | 0 | $27.15 | $12.41 |
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Destination
Pekin, IL
Late night in Pekin on Tuesday
Local time
5:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
23 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
4h 9m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely highway-focused, with 79% of the drive spent on faster roads like I-74 and IL-1. Expect a significant uninterrupted stretch of 114.6 miles on I-74, offering a consistent pace for a good portion of your journey. While I-74 provides a straightforward path, the inclusion of IL-1 and Georgetown Road introduces some variation from the purely interstate experience. The road's personality leans towards efficient travel, minimizing time spent on slower, more winding local routes.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 114.6 mi on I 74.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 74 and IL 1. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near West Broadway Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 193.9 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.1 miles (West Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (IL 1): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 68.3 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.
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 York, IL to Pekin, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Rock Island along the way.
Rock Island
183.3 mi in
|
~3h 55m
|
via I 474
About the Cities
Arriving in Pekin, IL
Full guide →Founded 1829
Top landmarks
- • Carl Herget Mansion — historic house in Illinois, United States
- • Pekin Federal Building — historic government building in Pekin, Illinois
- • St. Louis, Peoria and Northern Railroad Depot — historic train station in Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois
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 4h 9m. Total distance: 193.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 114.6 miles on I 74. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (West Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (IL 1): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 68.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Pekin, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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