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These are the 10 most traveled roads in the city of Peoria, according to data

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Wednesday, October 8th 2025 at 14:29 GMT by Journal Star
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Peoria’s Roadways: The 10 Most Traveled Streets in 2025

On September 27, 2025, the Peoria Journal Star released a comprehensive look at the arteries that keep the city’s daily life moving. Titled “What Are the 10 Most Traveled Roads in Peoria, Illinois?”, the article pulls together traffic‑count data, regional planning documents, and local insight to paint a picture of how Peoria’s roads are used today. With a focus on average daily traffic (ADT), peak‑hour volumes, and economic impact, the piece offers both a practical guide for commuters and a useful reference for city planners.

1. U.S. Highway 24 (North–South)

No list of Peoria’s busiest roads can omit U.S. 24. As the main north–south corridor that connects the city to the Illinois River and the suburbs of Chillicothe and Peoria Heights, the highway sees an ADT of roughly 70,000 vehicles. The article notes that a recent study by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) shows 15 % of the traffic is heavy trucks, making maintenance and congestion mitigation a priority. City officials are already discussing a possible “truck bypass” to reduce freight congestion on the downtown segment.

2. Illinois Route 29 (East–West)

Illinois 29, also known as the “Wabash River Expressway” in its central segment, carries approximately 55,000 vehicles daily. The Roadway’s alignment through the Wabash River floodplain has historically created bottlenecks, especially during spring runoff. In 2023, Peoria County conducted a feasibility study for a grade‑separation project at the critical intersection with U.S. 24, a move that could shave 10 minutes off the average commute for drivers heading into the city center.

3. Illinois Route 4 (North–South)

Running parallel to U.S. 24, Illinois 4 serves the northern suburbs and the eastern edge of the city. The article cites an ADT of 48,000 vehicles, with a significant portion of that traffic being commuters traveling to industrial parks along the river. The corridor’s current two‑lane configuration is a focus of a proposed widening plan slated for 2027, aiming to add a dedicated bicycle lane as well.

4. U.S. Highway 30 (East–West)

U.S. 30, often called the “Lincoln Highway,” slices through Peoria’s western side. With an ADT of 42,000, the highway experiences intense traffic during the morning rush hour. The Journal Star highlights the recent installation of an adaptive traffic signal system at the intersection with Route 4 to smooth flows during peak periods. Local businesses have also seen increased foot traffic, spurring discussions about pedestrian safety upgrades.

5. Illinois Route 116 (North–South)

A lesser‑known but heavily used route, IL 116 handles about 38,000 vehicles daily. The highway serves the northern residential neighborhoods and acts as a vital link between the 400 mi stretch of the Illinois River to the north. The article notes that the road’s intersection with the IL 29 corridor is slated for a roundabout in 2026, a move that could reduce collision rates by up to 25 %.

6. Illinois Route 49 (East–West)

IL 49 sees roughly 35,000 vehicles each day, providing a crucial east–west connection between the city’s industrial district and the airport. The Journal Star details how the corridor’s proximity to the airport’s taxiways necessitates frequent speed‑limit reductions during flight operations, leading to traffic queuing on approach to the downtown area.

7. Peoria Avenue (Local Street)

Peoria Avenue, despite its name, is one of the busiest local streets. With an ADT of about 30,000, the road sees a mix of local traffic, school buses, and city‑service vehicles. The piece explains that city maintenance crews are working on resurfacing the entire stretch by late 2025 to reduce potholes that frequently cause delays.

8. Lakeview Drive (Local Street)

Lakeview Drive’s 28,000 daily vehicles mostly comprise commuters traveling between the west side and the Illinois River waterfront. The article includes an anecdote about a proposed pedestrian bridge to link the south shore park to the downtown pedestrian corridor, aimed at encouraging foot traffic.

9. Oakwood Avenue (Local Street)

Oakwood Avenue carries 24,000 vehicles daily and is heavily used by residents of the Oakwood–Wheeling neighborhood. The Journal Star highlights a community initiative to add green infrastructure along the median to manage stormwater runoff, a plan that would coincide with the road’s resurfacing.

10. Maple Street (Local Street)

The final spot on the list is Maple Street, with an ADT of 20,000. While the volume is the lowest of the top ten, the article notes that the street’s intersection with U.S. 24 experiences significant congestion during rush hour, making it a priority for signal timing optimization.

What the Data Means for Peoria

Beyond simply naming the roads, the article dives into what the traffic patterns reveal about the city’s growth and future challenges. Key takeaways include:

1. Truck Traffic Dominance – Across several corridors (U.S. 24, IL 29, IL 4), heavy trucks comprise 15–20 % of the flow, highlighting the need for freight‑focused infrastructure upgrades.

2. Seasonal Variability – The Wabash River floodplain section of IL 29 sees traffic dips in winter and surges in spring, an effect that city planners are addressing with a flood‑resilient corridor design.

3. Infrastructure Aging – Many of the top roads run on pavement structures built in the 1970s–1980s. The article references a Peoria County transportation plan that earmarks $50 million for resurfacing by 2030.

4. Public Transit and Pedestrian Concerns – The presence of heavy commuter traffic on local streets like Peoria Avenue and Maple Street underscores the need for better bus lanes and crosswalk safety.

5. Future Projects – The article includes a sidebar that lists upcoming projects: the proposed roundabout on IL 116, the truck bypass off U.S. 24, and the adaptive signal system on U.S. 30, all of which aim to reduce delays by 10–20 %.

Where to Find More

The Journal Star article links to a wealth of supplementary resources:

• IDOT Traffic Data – Raw datasets showing ADT and peak‑hour volumes.
• Peoria County Transportation Plan 2025–2030 – A PDF outlining all planned roadworks.
• City of Peoria GIS Portal – Interactive maps detailing road geometry, speed limits, and planned construction zones.

These links provide readers with a deeper dive into the numbers and give planners a concrete basis for decision‑making.

In a city that balances a historic downtown, an industrial heartland, and an expanding residential base, the top ten roads of Peoria tell a story of growth, congestion, and opportunity. Whether you’re a commuter looking for the fastest route, a business owner hoping to understand freight traffic, or a city official charting future infrastructure, the Journal Star’s September 27 feature offers a clear, data‑driven snapshot of the arteries that keep Peoria alive.