How far is Peoria, IL from Cairo, IL?
The driving distance from Peoria, IL to Cairo, IL is about 292.5 miles (470.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 255.8 miles (411.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 23m 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 05h 41m.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Peoria and Cairo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Peoria and Cairo.
-
1
Start on Northeast Jefferson Avenue
26 m · 6 sec · Northeast Jefferson Avenue
-
2
Turn right onto Hamilton Boulevard
141 m · 17 sec · Hamilton Boulevard
-
3
Turn right onto Northeast Madison Avenue
137 m · 16 sec · Northeast Madison Avenue
-
4
Turn right onto Fayette Street
143 m · 15 sec · Fayette Street
-
5
Take the ramp straight toward I 74 East, IL 29 South: Bloomington, Pekin
1039 ft · 25 sec
-
6
Merge slight left onto Murray Baker Bridge
7.3 mi · 9 min · Murray Baker Bridge
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 155 South: Lincoln
1.2 km · 2 min
-
8
Continue straight
31.8 mi · 34 min
-
9
Merge slight left
30.2 mi · 33 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward IL 29 South: Taylorville
1709 ft · 49 sec
-
11
Merge slight left
1.5 mi · 2 min
-
12
Continue straight
4.7 mi · 7 min
-
13
Continue straight
1.3 mi · 2 min
-
14
Continue straight
15.7 mi · 20 min
-
15
Continue on North Webster Street
2218 ft · 35 sec · North Webster Street
-
16
Turn left onto West Park Street
5.3 mi · 8 min · West Park Street
-
17
Continue on State Route 29
5.1 mi · 8 min · State Route 29
-
18
Continue on N 2000 East Road
5.4 mi · 8 min · N 2000 East Road
-
19
Continue on West Washington Street
1 km · 2 min · West Washington Street
-
20
Turn right onto North Poplar Street
3072 ft · 1 min · North Poplar Street
-
21
Turn straight onto Fair Avenue
3070 ft · 2 min · Fair Avenue
-
22
Continue on County Road 2400 E
2 mi · 3 min · County Road 2400 E
-
23
Continue on 300 East Road
15.1 mi · 17 min · 300 East Road
-
24
Continue on County Road 875 East
11.1 mi · 13 min · County Road 875 East
-
25
Continue on North Kennedy Boulevard
1.5 mi · 2 min · North Kennedy Boulevard
-
26
Turn left onto West Gallatin Street
2405 ft · 34 sec · West Gallatin Street
-
27
Turn right
554 ft · 7 sec
-
28
Continue on United States Highway 51
13.4 mi · 15 min · United States Highway 51
-
29
Continue on 250E
10.4 mi · 12 min · 250E
-
30
Turn left
7.6 mi · 9 min
-
31
Take the exit left
1847 ft · 45 sec
-
32
Merge slight left
24.5 mi · 27 min
-
33
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
90 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Ken Gray Expressway
-
34
Take the exit slight right toward US 51 South, IL 3 North: Cairo
3.8 mi · 7 min
-
35
Turn slight left onto Washington Avenue
93 m · 9 sec · Washington Avenue
-
36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Peoria and Cairo.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Ken Gray Expressway
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
90 mi · 01h 37m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Peoria and Sunny near Cairo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Peoria to Cairo?
The road trip is about 292.5 miles (470.7 km) and usually takes 05h 41m 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 146.4 miles from Peoria and 146.1 miles from Cairo.
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 36.7 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 5:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.92 one way or $77.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 91.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Peoria and Sunny near Cairo.
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 Peoria and Cairo. Straight-line distance: 255.8 mi (411.67 km).
#1 Peoria
The third most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 109,428 |
| Coordinates | 40.6936500, -89.5889900 |
| Altitude | 153 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cairo
City in Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,989 |
| Coordinates | 37.0053300, -89.1764600 |
| Altitude | 95 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cairo (-89.17646, 37.00533)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 471 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $38.92 | $77.83 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $43.89 | $87.78 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $48.03 | $96.06 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $54.74 | $109.47 |
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.