Origin
Dale, IL
Late night in Dale on Tuesday
Local time
4:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dale, IL to Springfield, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 36m
Distance
168.3 mi
271 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 24m
★
6 AM
3h 36m
8 AM
4h 1m
10 AM
3h 45m
12 PM
3h 43m
3 PM
3h 46m
5 PM
4h 0m
8 PM
3h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dale, IL
Zülfü Demir📸
Springfield, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Dale, IL to Springfield, IL is 168.3 miles and takes about 3h 36m via Ken Gray Expressway and West Springfield Road, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Illinois, offering a straightforward journey between two points in the same state. The drive is categorized as a 'Mixed drive,' suggesting a blend of road types rather than a constant interstate experience. With a recommended one-day duration and a modest fuel cost, this route is a practical choice for a quick trip or an excursion with minimal overnight planning.
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
84.2 miles from Dale, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ken Gray Expressway | 20.5 mi | 22m |
| West Springfield Road | 15.7 mi | 18m |
| Market Street | 15.4 mi | 22m |
| South Superior Street | 15.1 mi | 17m |
| I 64 | 14.4 mi | 15m |
| 300E | 13.5 mi | 15m |
| County Road 875 East | 11.1 mi | 12m |
| 150E | 10.4 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
Ken Gray Expressway
— 20.5 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dale, IL and Springfield, IL.
1
Start on IL 142
6.8 mi
·
10 min
·
County Road 1165 East
2
Continue on IL 142
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
South Jackson Street
3
Turn left onto IL 142
15 mi
·
22 min
·
Market Street
4
Turn right onto North Main Street
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
North Main Street
5
Continue on North Brehm Lane
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Brehm Lane
6
Continue on County Highway 17
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
County Highway 17
7
Turn left
0.5 mi
·
1 min
8
Merge onto I 64
14 mi
·
15 min
·
I 64
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Ken Gray Expressway
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
11
Merge onto US 50
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
12
Continue on US 50
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
East Poplar Street
13
Continue on US 50
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Poplar
14
Turn right onto US 51
10 mi
·
11 min
·
150E
15
Continue on US 51
13 mi
·
15 min
·
300E
16
Turn left onto US 40; US 51; IL 185
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
US 40; US 51; IL 185
17
Turn right onto US 40; US 51; IL 185
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Kennedy Boulevard
18
Continue on US 51
11 mi
·
12 min
·
County Road 875 East
19
Continue on US 51
15 mi
·
17 min
·
South Superior Street
20
Continue on US 51
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road 2400 East
21
Continue on US 51
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Fair Avenue
22
Continue on US 51
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
South Poplar Street
23
Turn left onto IL 16
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West 2nd Street
24
Turn right onto South State Street
0.2 mi
·
52 sec
·
South State Street
25
Turn left onto IL 29
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
West Washington Street
26
Continue on IL 29
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
N 2000 East Road
27
Continue on IL 29
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
State Route 29
28
Continue on East Park Street
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
East Park Street
29
Turn right onto IL 29
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
North Webster Street
30
Continue on IL 29
16 mi
·
18 min
·
West Springfield Road
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on IL 29
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
IL 29
Use the straight lane.
32
Continue on IL 29
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
IL 29
Use the straight lane.
33
Continue on IL 29
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
IL 29
Use the straight lane.
34
Turn straight onto IL 29
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
IL 29
35
Turn left onto IL 97
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Clear Lake Avenue
Use the left lane.
36
Continue on IL 97
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
37
Turn left onto North 7th Street
406 ft
·
18 sec
·
North 7th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
38
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
East Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
39
Arrive at destination
East Washington Street
Trip Plan
For this 168.3-mile drive, leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Springfield, IL, within the estimated 3h 36m duration. You'll only need about one stop, so consider a brief break around the halfway point to stretch your legs or refuel if needed, though the $25 fuel cost suggests you likely won't need to worry too much. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition from the Ken Gray Expressway onto West Springfield Road and Market Street, as road types can vary. Given the manageable distance and duration, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best.
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 84.2 miles from Dale, IL, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.5 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 37 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.2 miles or 1h 45m 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 54m
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 Dale, 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 Dale, IL
This is one driving day of about 168.3 miles and 3h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Dale, 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 Ken Gray Expressway for about 20.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 84.2 miles from Dale, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 40.7 and 168.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
40.7 mi into trip
|
~56m in
|
I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
5
61.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
Take the exit toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
5
124.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
|
IL 29 / West Washington Street
Turn left onto IL 29 / West Washington Street
Navigation decision point
6
168.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 35m in
|
North 7th Street
Turn left onto North 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
168.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 36m in
|
East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.31 one way
$52.62 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.89 | $57.78 |
| premium | $4.89 | $32.39 | $64.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.16 | $74.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.5 | 0 | $17.67 | $8.08 |
| Efficient EV | 42.1 | 0 | $14.73 | $6.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.3 | 0 | $23.56 | $10.77 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Springfield, IL
Late night in Springfield on Tuesday
Local time
4:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Chance Rain Showers
NW 14 mph
53% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 4:31AM CDT until April 20 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 4:02AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
70°F
Brownstown, IL
84 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
29 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 36m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a 30% highway share, indicating a substantial portion of your drive will be on faster roads. You'll experience a mixed drive, transitioning between different road types. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 20.5 miles on Ken Gray Expressway, so you'll have some solid segments of consistent travel. Expect the road character to change as you progress, moving from potentially quicker highway sections to more local road segments as you near your destination.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 20.5 mi on Ken Gray Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 40.7 miles in near I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway.
Driving Effort
7/10
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 168.3 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 40.7 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 61.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124.9 miles (IL 29 / West Washington Street): Navigation decision point.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Dale, IL to Springfield, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Sandoval along the way.
Sandoval
61.2 mi in
|
~1h 18m
About the Cities
Arriving in Springfield, IL
Full guide →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
- • 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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 36m. Total distance: 168.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 20.5 miles on Ken Gray Expressway. 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 40.7 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 61.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124.9 miles (IL 29 / West Washington Street): Navigation decision point.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Springfield, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Springfield, IL
More from Dale, IL
More trips to Springfield, IL
Explore more options from Dale, IL or browse trips ending in Springfield, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.