Traveling from Anna to Springfield covers 189.5 miles across the Illinois heartland. You can expect a total drive time of approximately 3 hours and 53 minutes, making this a straightforward journey that easily fits into a single day of travel. With a fuel budget of about $29, this trip is quite cost-effective for a solo driver or a small group. You will primarily navigate via I-55, I-64, and North 2nd Street to reach your destination. Because the entire route remains within the Midwest, the transition between these two Illinois cities feels familiar and consistent. Whether you are heading north for business or a weekend getaway, this route provides a practical, no-nonsense connection between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
94.8 miles from Anna, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
58.1 mi
1h 2m
North 2nd Street
45.5 mi
56m
I 64
26.6 mi
28m
IL 4
26 mi
38m
US 51
19 mi
22m
West Main Street
7 mi
10m
I 55 Business
4.6 mi
10m
East Vienna Street
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 58.1 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anna, IL and Springfield, IL.
1
Start on IL 146
34 ft·1 sec·Broad Street
2
Turn right onto IL 146
1.1 mi·1 min·East Vienna Street
3
Turn left onto US 51
19 mi·22 min·US 51
4
Turn left onto IL 13
7.0 mi·10 min·West Main Street
5
Take the exit onto IL 13
177 ft·4 sec·IL 13
6
Merge onto IL 13; IL 127; IL 149
46 mi·56 min·North 2nd Street
7
Turn left
0.4 mi·48 sec
8
Merge onto I 64
27 mi·28 min·I 64
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·32 sec
Toward IL 4
10
Keep slight right at fork
181 ft·3 sec
Toward IL 4
11
Turn straight onto IL 4
26 mi·38 min·IL 4
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
13
Merge onto I 55
58 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 55
14
Take the exit onto I 55 Business
0.7 mi·1 min·I 55 Business
Toward I 55 Business North: Springfield
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 Business
0.2 mi·16 sec·I 55 Business
Toward I 55 Business North: Springfield
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 Business
3.8 mi·8 min·I 55 Business
Toward I 55 Business North: SpringfieldUse the left / straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on East Old State Capitol Plaza
409 ft·15 sec·East Old State Capitol Plaza
18
Turn right onto East Washington Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·East Washington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Arrive at destination
East Washington Street
Trip Plan
To keep your trip stress-free, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the nearly four-hour drive. Since you are spending most of your time on the highway, aim to depart early in the morning or mid-day to avoid peak traffic congestion near major interchanges. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the longer stretches of I-55, as service availability can vary. Given the manageable 189.5-mile distance, you have the flexibility to make this a one-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. Making that single planned stop will help you maintain focus and ensure you arrive in Springfield feeling energized rather than fatigued.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 94.8 miles from Anna, IL, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.1 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 42 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.8 miles or 1h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springfield, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Anna, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Anna, IL
This is one driving day of about 189.5 miles and 3h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Anna, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 58.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 20.1 and 189.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
20.1 mi into trip|~23m in|IL 13 / West Main Street
Turn left onto IL 13 / West Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
100 mi into trip|~2h in
Keep slight right at fork toward IL 4
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward IL 4
5
185.2 mi into trip|~3h 43m in|I 55 Business
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 Business toward I 55 Business North: Springfield
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 55 Business North: Springfield
7
185.4 mi into trip|~3h 43m in|I 55 Business
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 Business toward I 55 Business North: Springfield
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
Toward I 55 Business North: Springfield
7
189.3 mi into trip|~3h 52m in|East Washington Street
Turn right onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.63 one way
$59.25 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$32.53
$65.06
premium
$4.89
$36.47
$72.94
diesel
$5.61
$41.84
$83.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.9
0
$19.90
$9.10
Efficient EV
47.4
0
$16.58
$7.58
EV Truck/SUV
75.8
0
$26.53
$12.13
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Anna, IL
Late night
in Anna on Tuesday
Local time
3:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Springfield, IL
Late night
in Springfield on Tuesday
Local time
3:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 53m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive is characterized by its efficiency, with 71% of the trip spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm on the interstate, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 58.1 miles on I-55. While the route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, you will also navigate smaller segments like North 2nd Street to bridge the gaps. Expect the road to feel like a standard interstate experience, offering consistent pavement and straightforward navigation. It is a functional drive designed to get you from point A to point B without the complications of winding backroads or technical terrain.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.1 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and North 2nd Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.1 miles in near IL 13 / West Main Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 189.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 20.1 miles (IL 13 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 100 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 185.2 miles (I 55 Business): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Springfield is a city in the center of the state of Illinois. It is the state's capital — not Chicago — and the county seat of Sangamon County. Springfield is best known for its most famous resident, Abraham Lincoln, and there are several historic sites that are dedicated to him.
Top landmarks
•Illinois State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Illinois
•Lincoln Tomb — tomb of U.S. president Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois, United States
•Lincoln Home National Historic Site — national historic site in Illinois, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 53m. Total distance: 189.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.1 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Springfield, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 20.1 miles (IL 13 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 100 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 185.2 miles (I 55 Business): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Springfield, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
