This article describes a new gel-spinning process for making high-strength poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) fibers. The PEO gel-spinning process was enabled through an oligomer/polymer blend in place of conventional organic solvents, and the gelation and solvent-like properties were investigated. A 92/8 wt% poly(ethylene glycol)/PEO gel exhibited a melting temperature around 45 degrees C and was highly stretchable at room temperature. Some salient features of a gel-spun PEO fiber with a draw ratio of 60 are tensile strength at break=0.66 +/- 0.04 GPa, Young's modulus=4.3 +/- 0.1 GPa, and a toughness corresponding to 117 MJ/m(3). These numbers are significantly higher than those previously reported. Wide-angle x-ray diffraction of the high-strength fibers showed good molecular orientation along the fiber direction. The results also demonstrate the potential of further improvement of mechanical properties. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:2839-2847, 2014. (c) 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers