How far is Lake Forest, IL from Peoria, IL?
The driving distance from Lake Forest, IL to Peoria, IL is about 187.8 miles (302.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 141 miles (226.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 57m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Village in Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Forest and Peoria.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Forest and Peoria.
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1
Start on Griffith Road
22 m · 3 sec · Griffith Road
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2
Turn straight onto East Woodland Road
1960 ft · 1 min · East Woodland Road
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Green Bay Road
2060 ft · 1 min · North Green Bay Road
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4
Turn right onto East Deerpath
1.6 km · 3 min · East Deerpath
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5
Take the ramp left toward Deerpath Road
1302 ft · 36 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto South Skokie Highway
926 ft · 12 sec · South Skokie Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward IL 60
534 ft · 14 sec
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8
Continue on W Kennedy Road
2279 ft · 45 sec · W Kennedy Road
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9
Continue on Townline Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Townline Road
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10
Continue on East Townline Road
1.1 km · 1 min · East Townline Road
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11
Take the ramp left toward I 94 Toll East: Indiana
1872 ft · 49 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
5.8 mi · 7 min · Tri-State Tollway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
22.7 mi · 29 min · Tri-State Tollway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
1 km · 1 min
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
2295 ft · 56 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
113 mi · 2 hr 7 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 74 West: Peoria
2888 ft · 49 sec
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20
Continue straight
27.4 mi · 29 min
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21
Keep slight right to continue on I 74 West: Peoria
6 mi · 7 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward IL 29 North: Downtown Peoria
869 ft · 23 sec
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23
Continue on Spalding Avenue
138 m · 20 sec · Spalding Avenue
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24
Turn left onto Northeast Jefferson Avenue
799 ft · 17 sec · Northeast Jefferson Avenue
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Northeast Jefferson Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Forest and Peoria.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
113 mi · 02h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest to Peoria?
The road trip is about 187.8 miles (302.2 km) and usually takes 02h 57m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Gardner is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.8 miles from Lake Forest and 94 miles from Peoria.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 141 miles (226.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:36 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.00 one way or $50.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lake Forest and Mostly Sunny near Peoria.
Stop Ideas Near Gardner
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 Gardner.
Dwight station
Kankakee
Joliet Transportation Center
Pontiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Forest and Peoria. Straight-line distance: 141 mi (226.92 km).
#1 Lake Forest
City in Lake County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 19,379 |
| Coordinates | 42.2586300, -87.8406300 |
| Altitude | 210 |
| 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: 302 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.00 | $50.00 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.20 | $56.39 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.86 | $61.71 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $35.17 | $70.33 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.