Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
Downers Grove, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+13312159463
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 47m
Distance
198.3 mi
319 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bensenville, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Springfield, IL
Wikimedia Commons
This 198.3-mile drive from Bensenville, Illinois, to Springfield, Illinois, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 47 minutes on the road, primarily using the Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I-55. With 88% of the route on highways, it's designed for efficient travel through the Midwest. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $31, making it an economical option. This route is ideal for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
99.2 miles from Bensenville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Adlai Stevenson Expressway | 111.5 mi | 2h 2m |
| I 55 | 59.5 mi | 1h 3m |
| Veterans Memorial Tollway | 8.6 mi | 10m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | 6.5 mi | 7m |
| US 20 | 3 mi | 4m |
| Clear Lake Avenue | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| South York Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| North York Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Bensenville, IL and Springfield, IL.
Start on this road
At end of road, turn right onto West Green Street
Turn right onto South York Road
Continue on North York Street
Turn right onto Lake Street
Turn slight right
Take the ramp onto US 20
Take the exit
Continue on I 294
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110
Take the exit
Merge onto I 355
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
Take the exit
Merge onto IL 97
Continue on IL 97
Turn left onto North 7th Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Arrive at destination
Given the 3-hour and 47-minute duration, starting your trip from Bensenville in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight. You'll have one recommended stop along this 198.3-mile route, so plan for a break around the halfway point to stretch your legs. With 88% of the drive on highways like I-55, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is important, especially during the longest stretch of 111.5 miles. The estimated fuel cost of $31 is budget-friendly, but it's always wise to fill up before you leave Bensenville to ensure a smooth journey to Springfield.
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.
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 44 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.2 miles or 1h 56m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springfield, IL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Bensenville, 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 Bensenville, IL
This is one driving day of about 198.3 miles and 3h 47m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
99 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 99.2 miles from Bensenville, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop · first break window
Downers Grove, Illinois
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+13312159463
Magic Kitchen
Springfield, Illinois
Mr Gyros
Springfield, Illinois
Near the start, right off the route
Downers Grove, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+13312159463
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Springfield, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–2 pm
+12175256975
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Springfield, Illinois
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+12175232817
Near the start, short detour
Downers Grove, Illinois
Hours: 10 am–9 pm
+16304478226
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Springfield, Illinois
Hours: 10 am–9 pm
+12176702905
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Grandview, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+12175254952
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Romeoville, Illinois
Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm
+18155243248
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Springfield, Illinois
Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm
+12175445144
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Normal, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Normal, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887484261
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Normal, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887484273
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Normal, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Normal, Illinois
+13094549590
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Normal, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Normal, Illinois
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Atlanta, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
Near the start, ~12 min detour
Willowbrook, Illinois
Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.3 and 135.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 88 West Toll: Aurora
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$31.00 one way
$62.00 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $34.04 | $68.08 |
| premium | $4.89 | $38.16 | $76.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.78 | $87.56 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.02
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.5 | 0 | $20.82 | $9.52 |
| Efficient EV | 49.6 | 0 | $17.35 | $7.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.3 | 0 | $27.76 | $12.69 |
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Bensenville on Tuesday
Local time
3:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Springfield on Tuesday
Local time
3:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This drive is predominantly a highway experience, with 88% of the journey taking place on major expressways. You'll encounter the Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I-55 for the bulk of your travel, offering a consistent, fast-paced experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll cover is 111.5 miles on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, meaning significant time will be spent on this main artery. While largely a highway-focused profile, the Veterans Memorial Tollway also plays a part in connecting you to the main routes. Expect a steady pace for most of the drive.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.3 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 198.3 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 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.2 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bensenville, IL and Springfield, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Joliet Road South.
Saint Louis
Joliet Road South
Founded 1840
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 47m. Total distance: 198.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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