Magic Kitchen
Near the end, right off the route
Springfield, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–2 pm
+12175256975
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 35m
Distance
188.5 mi
303 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
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.
Dixmoor, IL
Stéphane Tendon
Springfield, IL
Wikimedia Commons
This 188.5-mile journey from Dixmoor, Illinois, to Springfield, Illinois, is designed for efficiency, taking approximately 3 hours and 35 minutes. With 96% of the drive on highways, primarily I-55, I-80, and I-57, it's a straightforward trip well-suited for a single day. You can expect a fuel cost of around $29 for this stretch. The route is a focused drive through the Midwest, making it a convenient option if you're looking to cover ground without extensive detours. It's a practical choice for getting from point A to point B within the state.
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
94.3 miles from Dixmoor, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 152.5 mi | 2h 44m |
| I 80 | 25.3 mi | 30m |
| I 57 | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| Clear Lake Avenue | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| West 147th Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Wood Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East Jefferson Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| East Washington Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Dixmoor, IL and Springfield, IL.
Start on Wood Street
Turn right onto IL 83
Turn left
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 57
Take the exit
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
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, 35-minute duration, this route is comfortably manageable as a day trip from Dixmoor to Springfield. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample time for any brief stops you might need, though the longest stretch without a major road change is over 150 miles. The estimated fuel cost is $29, so factor that into your budget. You'll primarily be on I-55, so ensure your vehicle is in good condition for sustained highway driving. Consider a brief stop midway if needed, though the drive is not overly taxing for a single day.
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 41 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.3 miles or 1h 50m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springfield, IL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Dixmoor, 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 Dixmoor, IL
This is one driving day of about 188.5 miles and 3h 35m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
94 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 94.3 miles from Dixmoor, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 152.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
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Hours: 11 am–2 pm
+12175256975
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Blue Island, Illinois
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Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm
+17083909500
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Orland Park, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+17084788823
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Normal, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Normal, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Normal, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887484261
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Bloomington, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Normal, Illinois
+13094549590
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Normal, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887484273
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Normal, Illinois
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Normal, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.1 and 188.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork toward I 294 Toll South, I 57 South: Indiana, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Iowa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
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
Turn left onto North 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$29.47 one way
$58.94 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $32.36 | $64.71 |
| premium | $4.89 | $36.28 | $72.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.62 | $83.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66 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 | 56.6 | 0 | $19.79 | $9.05 |
| Efficient EV | 47.1 | 0 | $16.49 | $7.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 75.4 | 0 | $26.39 | $12.06 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Dixmoor on Sunday
Local time
2:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Springfield on Sunday
Local time
2:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
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
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.
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.
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 188.5-mile route, with 96% of the drive utilizing major interstates. The predominant road will be I-55, which forms the longest uninterrupted stretch at 152.5 miles. This means you'll likely encounter consistent speed limits and straightforward navigation for the majority of your travel time. While primarily interstate, keep an eye out for transitions as you approach your destination in Springfield.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 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 14 significant decision points across 188.5 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 2.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Founded 1923
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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 35m. Total distance: 188.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). 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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