Trip from East Dundee, IL to Springfield, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 6m

Distance

214.4 mi

345 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 54m ★

6 AM

4h 7m

8 AM

4h 33m

10 AM

4h 16m

12 PM

4h 13m

3 PM

4h 17m

5 PM

4h 32m

8 PM

3h 59m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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East Dundee, IL

Wikimedia Commons

capital city of Illinois and county seat of Sangamon County

Springfield, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 214.4-mile drive from East Dundee, Illinois, to Springfield, Illinois, is a straightforward journey through the Midwest, easily manageable as a single-day trip. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 6 minutes on the road, with a fuel cost estimated at $34. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 92% of it utilizing major interstates like I-355 and I-55. While there's one recommended stop, the longest continuous stretch covers 111.5 miles, suggesting a smooth, uninterrupted drive. This trip offers a practical way to travel between two points within Illinois without significant detours.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

107.2 miles from East Dundee, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Adlai Stevenson Expressway	111.5 mi	2h 2m
I 55	59.5 mi	1h 3m
I 355	20.1 mi	25m
Higgins Road	7.1 mi	10m
I 290	5.7 mi	7m
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway	4.5 mi	4m
Clear Lake Avenue	2.1 mi	4m
East Jefferson Street	0.4 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Adlai Stevenson Expressway — 111.5 mi, about 2h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between East Dundee, IL and Springfield, IL.

Start on this road

45 ft · 6 sec · this road

Turn left onto IL 72

261 ft · 6 sec · East Main Street

Continue on IL 72

7.1 mi · 10 min · Higgins Road

Turn sharp left onto South Barrington Road

0.3 mi · 51 sec · South Barrington Road

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 35 sec

Toward I 90 East Toll: Chicago

Merge onto I 90

4.5 mi · 4 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 68A-B Toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Exit 68A Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs Use the slight right lane.

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 33 sec · this road

Exit 68A Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs

Merge onto I 290; IL 53

5.7 mi · 7 min · I 290; IL 53

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 355

20 mi · 25 min · I 355

Exit 7 Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet Use the slight left lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Exit 12A Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec

Toward Joliet Road South Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 17 sec

Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 55

112 mi · 2 hr 2 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

60 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 55

Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 43 sec

Toward IL 97 West

Merge onto IL 97

2.1 mi · 4 min · Clear Lake Avenue

Use the straight lane.

Continue on IL 97

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Jefferson Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto North 7th Street

406 ft · 18 sec · North 7th Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn left onto East Washington Street

0.1 mi · 23 sec · East Washington Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Arrive at destination

East Washington Street

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour, 6-minute duration, departing East Dundee in the morning allows ample time to reach Springfield without feeling rushed. With a total of 214.4 miles, you'll likely only need one planned stop for fuel or a break. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 111 miles, so consider taking a short break before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $34, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially before heading onto longer highway sections. This route is ideal for a single-day excursion, offering flexibility in your departure and arrival times.

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 107.2 miles from East Dundee, IL, or about 2h 7m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.5 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 47 miles or 1h in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 107.2 miles or 2h 7m 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 21m

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 East Dundee, 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 East Dundee, IL

This is one driving day of about 214.4 miles and 4h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from East Dundee, 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 Adlai Stevenson Expressway for about 111.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

El Paso, IL

107 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

Romeoville, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Normal, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 107.2 miles from East Dundee, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · early in the drive

3 Rivers Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Channahon, Illinois

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch · 1h 11m in 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18158285110

Visit website

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Downers Grove, Illinois

1.1 mi

Tacochela Mexican Restaurant and Catering

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Downers Grove, Illinois

1 mi

Best coffee break · early in the drive

Emmys Cafe & Gaming

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Braidwood, Illinois

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch · 1h 28m in 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+18153905133

3 Rivers Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Channahon, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18158285110

Visit website

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Downers Grove, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13312159463

Visit website

Tacochela Mexican Restaurant and Catering

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

First break 1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Downers Grove, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+16304478226

Visit website

Magic Kitchen

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+12175256975

Visit website

DW Diner Express & Liquor Store

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

Channahon, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+18153354448

Visit website

Mr Gyros

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+12175232817

Taco Gringo South

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+12176702905

Visit website

Krekel's Custard & Hamburgers

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Grandview, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+12175254952

Visit website

Emmys Cafe & Gaming

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Braidwood, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+18153905133

Ten Drops Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10

Plainfield, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+16306962137

Visit website

Emmy's Cafe & Gaming

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Coal City, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+18155185375

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Lincoln, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18663502738

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

Final third 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–12 pm

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

Later in the drive, right off the route

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

Early stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Minooka, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18154672200

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 12.5 and 151.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

12.5 mi into trip | ~16m in

Take the exit toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 68A-B Toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs

13 mi into trip | ~18m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 68A Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West S...

19.3 mi into trip | ~26m in | I 355

Keep slight left at fork onto I 355 toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Exit 7 Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet

39.4 mi into trip | ~51m in

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 12A Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis

151.7 mi into trip | ~2h 56m in | I 55

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.52 one way

$67.04 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 75 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$36.80	$73.61
premium	$4.89	$41.26	$82.52
diesel	$5.61	$47.34	$94.67

Estimated Tolls: $0.32

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (4.5 mi) $0.32

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

$34

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 75 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	64.3	0	$22.51	$10.29
Efficient EV	53.6	0	$18.76	$8.58
EV Truck/SUV	85.8	1	$30.02	$13.72

Gas CO2

75 kg

EV CO2

25 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 14, 2026

Origin

East Dundee, IL

Afternoon in East Dundee on Tuesday

Local time

12:20 PM

CDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Springfield, IL

Afternoon in Springfield on Tuesday

Local time

12:20 PM

CDT

Current temp

87°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SSW 18 mph 23% chance Live forecast

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 14 at 4:05PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI

Tornado Watch

Tornado Watch issued April 14 at 2:35PM CDT until April 14 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

68°F

El Paso, IL

107 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

42 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

4h 6m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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...

0 mi from route Free near mile 214.4

View on nps.gov

Pullman National Historical Park

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...

22 mi from route ~56 min detour Free near mile 37

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Prepare for a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 92% of the 214.4 miles on major expressways. The Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I-55 will be your main companions for much of this 4-hour, 6-minute journey. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 111.5 miles on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, indicating long periods of consistent speed and minimal traffic disruptions. The character of this drive is largely about efficient travel, with the road maintaining a steady, predictable pace as you head south through Illinois.

92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 111.5 mi on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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 12.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 18 significant decision points across 214.4 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 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.3 miles (I 355): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between East Dundee, IL and Springfield, IL, road signs point toward Suburbs, Saint Louis and Joliet Road South.

Suburbs

12.5 mi in | ~16m

Saint Louis

39.4 mi in | ~51m

Joliet Road South

39.7 mi in | ~52m

About the Cities

Starting in East Dundee, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1871

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 4h 6m. Total distance: 214.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 111.5 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.32 in tolls one way, starting with Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

Yes — we found about 23 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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. There are 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from East Dundee, IL or browse trips ending in Springfield, IL.

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Trip from East Dundee, IL to Springfield, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

3 Rivers Café

Emmys Cafe & Gaming

3 Rivers Café

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

Tacochela Mexican Restaurant and Catering

Magic Kitchen

DW Diner Express & Liquor Store

Mr Gyros

Taco Gringo South

Krekel's Custard & Hamburgers

Emmys Cafe & Gaming

Ten Drops Coffee

Emmy's Cafe & Gaming

The Happy Crab Mobile Coffee Bar

Brick & Ivy Coffee Co.

Kafe De Kasa

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Universal Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

Red E Charging Station

Rail Splitter Rest Area - Southbound

Rail Splitter Rest Area - Northbound

Dixie Trucker's Home

Funks Grove Rest Area

Limestone Rest Area (Southbound)

Limestone Rest Area (Northbound)

Love's Travel Stop

TA

Love's Travel Stop

Greater Chicago Truck Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

QuikTrip

Pilot Travel Center

Petro Stopping Centers

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Road Ranger

Pilot Travel Center

Service Plaza

Dock Rotz Tavern

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

East Dundee, IL

Springfield, IL

Same local time

42 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 6m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

Pullman National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in East Dundee, IL

Arriving in Springfield, IL

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?