Spanning 155.8 miles across the Illinois heartland, this route connects Colona to Springfield in approximately 2 hours and 26 minutes. Because of the manageable duration, this journey is perfectly suited as a straightforward day trip, eliminating the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $24 on fuel for the one-way trek, making it an affordable excursion within the Midwest. Navigating the state via the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, I-474 East, and I-155 South keeps your path efficient and direct. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, the route offers a reliable transit corridor 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
78.6 miles from Colona, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
75.6 mi
1h 21m
I 155
31.8 mi
34m
I 55
28.7 mi
31m
I 474
13.8 mi
14m
Clear Lake Avenue
2.1 mi
4m
I 74
1.4 mi
1m
Cleveland Road
0.7 mi
1m
East Jefferson Street
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
— 75.6 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colona, IL and Springfield, IL.
1
Start on Cleveland Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Cleveland Road
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
3
Merge onto I 80; IL 110
3.3 mi·3 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
4
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 110
72 mi·1 hr 17 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
5
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 474 East: Indianapolis
6
Merge onto I 474
14 mi·14 min·I 474
7
Merge onto I 74
1.4 mi·1 min·I 74
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 155 South: Lincoln
9
Continue on I 155
32 mi·34 min·I 155
10
Merge onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward IL 97 West
12
Merge onto IL 97
2.1 mi·4 min·Clear Lake Avenue
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on IL 97
0.4 mi·1 min·East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto North 7th Street
406 ft·18 sec·North 7th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·East Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Arrive at destination
East Washington Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid local traffic bottlenecks. Aim to check your fuel levels before heading out, as the $24 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and current regional pricing. Without any scheduled stops mandated by the route, you are free to pace the journey according to your own preference. Use the transitions between I-474 East and I-155 South as natural checkpoints to assess your progress and comfort. Because this is a turn-heavy drive, prioritize staying alert at each junction to ensure you remain on the correct path toward Springfield.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 78.6 miles from Colona, IL, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.6 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 35 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.6 miles or 1h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 19m
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 Colona, 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 Colona, IL
This is one driving day of about 157.3 miles and 2h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Colona, 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 Chicago-Kansas City Expressway for about 75.6 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.3 and 157.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
4.3 mi into trip|~5m in|IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
76.6 mi into trip|~1h 22m in
Take the exit toward I 474 East: Indianapolis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 474 East: Indianapolis
5
154.5 mi into trip|~2h 47m in|IL 97 / Clear Lake Avenue
Merge onto IL 97 / Clear Lake Avenue
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
157.1 mi into trip|~2h 53m in|North 7th Street
Turn left onto North 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
157.1 mi into trip|~2h 53m in|East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.59 one way
$49.18 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$27.00
$54.00
premium
$4.89
$30.27
$60.54
diesel
$5.61
$34.73
$69.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.2
0
$16.52
$7.55
Efficient EV
39.3
0
$13.76
$6.29
EV Truck/SUV
62.9
0
$22.02
$10.07
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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 15, 2026
Origin
Colona, IL
Late night
in Colona on Sunday
Local time
2:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Springfield, IL
Late night
in Springfield on Sunday
Local time
2:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Peoria, IL
79 mi in
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
28 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this path requires you to navigate a series of transitions as you shift between the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, I-474, and I-155. Because the highway share is 0%, the route emphasizes local connectivity over high-speed, long-distance cruising. The road’s personality is defined by these constant changes in direction, which keeps the driving experience engaging rather than repetitive. You will find that the character of the journey remains consistent, favoring precision on local thoroughfares over the solitude of a wide-open highway.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75.6 mi on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and I 155. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.3 miles in near IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway.
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 12 significant decision points across 157.3 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 4.3 miles (IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 76.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 154.5 miles (IL 97 / Clear Lake Avenue): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 53m. Total distance: 157.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75.6 miles on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 4.3 miles (IL 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 76.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 154.5 miles (IL 97 / Clear Lake Avenue): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Springfield, IL before heading back.
