Car Rental - Peoria, IL

 

Rent a car in Peoria, Illinois, to arrive in a city that sits proudly on the Illinois River. Despite its long, illustrious history dating back to the late 17th century, Peoria is a modern and industrious place.

Our Peoria car rental branches include one at General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport, only a few miles from the city itself, so you can touch down and soon be where you want to be. Explore the city, the county and the state in your choice of car, with our Peoria car rental range running from sleek and sporty sedans to family SUVs with plenty of room.

From Peoria, you can enjoy some fantastic road trips. You’re less than three hours’ drive from Chicago and Lake Michigan when you rent a car from Peoria. Springfield is to the south and you can also cross the Missouri border to St. Louis.

It’s all within reach when you book Peoria car rental today.

Peoria Locations

A Quick Guide to Peoria

Solar system scale model hanging from ceiling

Peoria Riverfront Museum

222 Southwest Washington Street, IL, 61602

There’s plenty to discover inside this gleaming riverside building. Fine and folk art, wildfowl carvings, the world’s third largest scale model of the solar system – ‘eclectic’ doesn’t begin to cover it.

There’s a state-of-the-art planetarium, a 3D theater and a comprehensive range of fun classes and educational programs for kids.

Yellow construction vehicle and digger in a quarry

Caterpillar Visitors Center

110 Southwest Washington Street, IL, 61602

Caterpillar once had their headquarters in Peoria and this excellent, interactive museum brings to life their story and innovations. It’s kitted out in the company’s trademark black and yellow colors, and kids will love the virtual rides in vast machines.

Leave your Peoria rental car in the adjacent Water Street parking garage for free while you enjoy the exciting exhibits.

Paddle steam boat in river

Spirit of Peoria

100 Northeast Water Street, IL, 61602

While most modern paddleboats are purely for decoration – and don’t actually paddle – the Spirit of Peoria is the real thing.

This modern replica of a 19th-century classic offers themed dinners with BBQ food accompanied by ragtime music. You can also take longer overnight cruises along the Illinois and Mississippi rivers.

Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette

501 Main Street, IL, 61602

A beautiful Beaux Arts building is the setting for this superior Marriott hotel. Step inside and you’re staying in a 1920s spot that’s on the National Register of Historic Places.

Enjoy modern rooms and friendly service. There’s also a pool, fitness center and a variety of dining options.

On-site parking for your Peoria rental car is available for a small daily fee.

Mark Twain Hotel

225 Northeast Adams Street, IL, 61602

A place that has transformed from motel to boutique hotel, the Mark Twain occupies a prime piece of real estate in Downtown, a stone’s throw from the riverfront and Convention Center.

Rooms come with complimentary breakfast and coffee, while business travelers will appreciate the work desk.

You can also enjoy complimentary parking for your Peoria rental car during your stay.

Embassy Suites by Hilton East Peoria

100 Conference Center Drive, East Peoria, IL, 61611

This all-suite hotel sits on the eastern bank of the Illinois River, a popular place for business thanks to its large conference center. There’s also an excellent indoor pool and the complimentary evening reception is great for those looking to network.

On-site self-parking for your Peoria rental car attracts a small daily fee.

Jim’s Steak House

110 Southwest Jefferson Avenue, IL, 61602

Ticking all the classic steakhouse boxes – a clubbable atmosphere with unfussy but attentive service – Jim’s has been a Peoria institution for over 60 years. The aged steaks are the go-to, but the fish and pasta dishes punch above their weight too.

One World Cafe

1245 West Main Street, IL, 61606

A varied menu and a laidback vibe await at this restaurant a few blocks from Laura Bradley Park. Flavors are globetrotting, taking you from hummus to bacon cheese fries, Thai noodle salad and huge burgers.

Early risers will love the breakfast specials, where biscuits come slathered in toothsome gravy and the Elvis waffle tempts all.

Hokkaido

3311 North University Street, IL, 61604

Hokkaido offers a tour of Asian cuisine, including Japanese, Thai, Korean and Chinese food. Pull up a seat and watch the chefs prepare gleaming sushi in front of you or opt for the theater of Japanese hibachi with your food seared over high heat – all smoke and fire.

Driving In and Around Peoria

  • Parking meters operate all across the city between the hours of 8 AM and 6 PM, with a two-hour limit. Street parking is free to use outside of these times and on national holidays.
  • Riverplex (61603) is a recreation and wellness center next to the river. It has over 400 spaces for your holiday rental car.
  • Regency Plaza Deck is in the heart of Downtown, surrounded by restaurants, hotels and public buildings. It has more than 450 spaces for your holiday car rental.
  • Interstate 74 (I-74) runs northwest to southeast through Illinois, cutting right through the heart of Peoria and crossing the river. Northwest takes you to Galesburg, southeast to Bloomington.
  • Interstate 474 (I-474) is a loop that runs from a junction with I-74 southeast of East Peoria and then reconnects with it again in the northwest of the city.
  • Illinois Route 29 (IL-29) is a north-to-south route through Peoria that stays very close to the western riverbank, linking many of the main sights and attractions in the city and beyond.

How to Get From Peoria to Chicago

Chicago sits about 160 miles northeast of Peoria, just under three hours’ drive away when you rent a car. Leave the city southeast on the I74 then take Exit 127 and join the I-55 North, which leads you all the way to the Windy City.

 

How to Get From Peoria to Springfield

Visit the State Capitol building and learn all about Abraham Lincoln’s life in Springfield, an hour or so’s drive away when you rent a car from Peoria. You’ll want to join the I-74 going southeast of the city, before leaving it at Exit 101 for I-55 S.