How far is Peoria, IL from Forest Lake, IL?
The driving distance from Peoria, IL to Forest Lake, IL is about 180.8 miles (291 km), with a travel time of about 03h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 131.3 miles (211.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST.
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 03h 31m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Village in Illinois
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 Peoria and Forest Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Peoria and Forest Lake.
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1
Start on Northeast Jefferson Avenue
26 m · 6 sec · Northeast Jefferson Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Hamilton Boulevard
141 m · 17 sec · Hamilton Boulevard
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3
Turn right onto Northeast Madison Avenue
137 m · 16 sec · Northeast Madison Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Fayette Street
143 m · 15 sec · Fayette Street
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5
Take the ramp straight toward I 74 East, IL 29 South: Bloomington, Pekin
1039 ft · 25 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Murray Baker Bridge
33 mi · 36 min · Murray Baker Bridge
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
1.4 mi · 3 min
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8
Merge slight left
105.3 mi · 1 hr 56 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs
2797 ft · 1 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 355 North: Northwest Suburbs
1.2 mi · 3 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
19.2 mi · 24 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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12
Merge slight left
5.6 mi · 7 min
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13
Keep slight left
8.9 mi · 12 min
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14
Continue on Lake Cook Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Lake Cook Road
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15
Continue on North Rand Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · North Rand Road
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16
Turn right onto Quentin Road
2.9 mi · 5 min · Quentin Road
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17
Turn right onto West Highland Drive
700 ft · 29 sec · West Highland Drive
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18
Turn left onto North Field Road
86 m · 10 sec · North Field Road
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Field Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Peoria and Forest Lake.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 55 North
Merge slight left
105 mi · 01h 56m
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 Mostly Sunny near Forest Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Peoria to Forest Lake?
The road trip is about 180.8 miles (291 km) and usually takes 03h 31m 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?
Dwight is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.3 miles from Peoria and 90.5 miles from Forest Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 131.3 miles (211.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.5 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:58 AM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.39 one way or $58.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Peoria and Mostly Sunny near Forest Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Dwight
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 Dwight.
Dwight station
Pontiac station
Kankakee
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Peoria and Forest Lake. Straight-line distance: 131.32 mi (211.34 km).
#1 Peoria
The third most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 109,428 |
| Coordinates | 40.6936500, -89.5889900 |
| Altitude | 153 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Forest Lake
Forest Lake is a place in Illinois, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 42.2075200, -88.0556300 |
| Altitude | 248 |
| Country | United States |
End: Forest Lake (-88.05563, 42.20752)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 291 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.61 | $29.39 | $58.79 |
| Mid-grade | $5.24 | $33.43 | $66.86 |
| Premium | $5.79 | $36.97 | $73.93 |
| Diesel | $6.59 | $42.06 | $84.11 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026