How far is Cairo, IL from Peoria, IL?
The driving distance from Cairo, IL to Peoria, IL is about 309.3 miles (497.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 255.8 miles (411.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 39m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 49m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in Fayette County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cairo and Peoria.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cairo and Peoria.
-
1
Start on Washington Avenue
94 m · 9 sec · Washington Avenue
-
2
Continue on Sycamore Street
3 mi · 6 min · Sycamore Street
-
3
Take the exit right toward I-57 North, US 51 North: Mount Vernon
2522 ft · 1 min
-
4
Merge slight left onto Ken Gray Expressway
93.9 mi · 1 hr 41 min · Ken Gray Expressway
-
5
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
20.5 mi · 22 min · Ken Gray Expressway
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
2199 ft · 54 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto West Main Street
2.4 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
-
8
Continue on East Poplar Street
2.7 mi · 3 min · East Poplar Street
-
9
Continue on Poplar
2.7 mi · 3 min · Poplar
-
10
Turn right onto 150E
10.4 mi · 12 min · 150E
-
11
Continue on 300E
13.5 mi · 15 min · 300E
-
12
Turn left
2405 ft · 35 sec
-
13
Turn right onto North Kennedy Boulevard
1.6 mi · 2 min · North Kennedy Boulevard
-
14
Continue on County Road 875 East
11.1 mi · 13 min · County Road 875 East
-
15
Continue on South Superior Street
15.1 mi · 17 min · South Superior Street
-
16
Continue on County Road 2400 East
2 mi · 3 min · County Road 2400 East
-
17
Continue on Fair Avenue
3070 ft · 2 min · Fair Avenue
-
18
Continue on South Poplar Street
1675 ft · 29 sec · South Poplar Street
-
19
Turn left onto West 2nd Street
1948 ft · 1 min · West 2nd Street
-
20
Turn right onto South State Street
1084 ft · 53 sec · South State Street
-
21
Turn left onto West Washington Street
1470 ft · 46 sec · West Washington Street
-
22
Continue on N 2000 East Road
5.4 mi · 8 min · N 2000 East Road
-
23
Continue on State Route 29
5.1 mi · 8 min · State Route 29
-
24
Continue on East Park Street
5.3 mi · 8 min · East Park Street
-
25
Turn right onto North Webster Street
2286 ft · 33 sec · North Webster Street
-
26
Continue on West Springfield Road
15.7 mi · 19 min · West Springfield Road
-
27
Continue straight
1.3 mi · 1 min
-
28
Continue straight
5.4 mi · 8 min
-
29
Continue straight
2678 ft · 42 sec
-
30
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North, I 72 East
2550 ft · 54 sec
-
31
Merge slight left
30 mi · 32 min
-
32
Keep slight left to continue on I 155 North: Peoria, Hartsburg
32 mi · 34 min
-
33
Keep slight left to continue on I 74 West: Peoria
1.5 km · 2 min
-
34
Merge slight left
1 mi · 1 min
-
35
Keep slight right to continue on I 74 West: Peoria
6 mi · 7 min
-
36
Take the exit slight right toward IL 29 North: Downtown Peoria
869 ft · 23 sec
-
37
Continue on Spalding Avenue
138 m · 20 sec · Spalding Avenue
-
38
Turn left onto Northeast Jefferson Avenue
799 ft · 17 sec · Northeast Jefferson Avenue
-
39
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Northeast Jefferson Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cairo and Peoria.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Ken Gray Expressway
Merge slight left onto Ken Gray Expressway
93.9 mi · 01h 41m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Cairo and Mostly Sunny near Peoria.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cairo to Peoria?
The road trip is about 309.3 miles (497.7 km) and usually takes 04h 49m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Vandalia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 146.1 miles from Cairo and 163.2 miles from Peoria.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 255.8 miles (411.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.14 one way or $82.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cairo and Mostly Sunny near Peoria.
Stop Ideas Near Vandalia
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Vandalia.
Centralia station
Effingham
Mt. Vernon, IL
Carlinville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cairo and Peoria. Straight-line distance: 255.8 mi (411.67 km).
#1 Cairo
City in Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,989 |
| Coordinates | 37.0053300, -89.1764600 |
| Altitude | 95 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Peoria
The third most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 109,428 |
| Coordinates | 40.6936500, -89.5889900 |
| Altitude | 153 |
| Country | United States |
End: Northeast Jefferson Avenue (-89.589088, 40.693742)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 498 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $41.14 | $82.28 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $46.40 | $92.80 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $50.78 | $101.55 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $57.87 | $115.73 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Illinois · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.