Spanning 195.9 miles, this trip from Evergreen Park to Springfield takes you through the heart of the Illinois Midwest. You should budget approximately 3 hours and 16 minutes of driving time, making it a feasible one-day excursion for most travelers. With fuel costs estimated at around $30, it is a relatively affordable route to navigate. Because this journey relies on local roads rather than major interstates, it offers a different pace than typical cross-state travel. Whether you are heading to the state capital for business or a visit, this trip fits perfectly into a single day of travel.
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
97.9 miles from Evergreen Park, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
152.5 mi
2h 44m
I 80
25.3 mi
30m
I 57
9.7 mi
13m
Clear Lake Avenue
2.1 mi
4m
South Western Avenue
2 mi
3m
West 95th Street
1 mi
1m
West 111th Street
0.6 mi
1m
West Monterey Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 152.5 mi, about 2h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Evergreen Park, IL and Springfield, IL.
1
Start on US 12; US 20
1.0 mi·1 min·West 95th Street
2
Turn right onto South Western Avenue
2.0 mi·3 min·South Western Avenue
Use the right lane.
3
Turn left onto West 111th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·West 111th Street
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on West Monterey Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·West Monterey Avenue
5
Turn right onto South Marshfield Avenue
133 ft·2 sec·South Marshfield Avenue
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 57 South
7
Merge onto I 57
9.7 mi·13 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·45 sec
Exit 345BToward I 80 West: IowaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 80
25 mi·30 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 126AToward I 55 South: Saint Louis
11
Merge onto I 55
93 mi·1 hr 40 min·I 55
Use the right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
60 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, SpringfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward IL 97 West
14
Merge onto IL 97
2.1 mi·4 min·Clear Lake Avenue
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on IL 97
0.4 mi·1 min·East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto North 7th Street
406 ft·18 sec·North 7th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·East Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Arrive at destination
East Washington Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 195.9-mile trek, plan for at least one stop to break up the local driving segments. Because you are avoiding highways entirely, traffic patterns on local roads can significantly impact your 3-hour and 16-minute travel time, so check local conditions before you depart. Leaving early in the morning helps you navigate these turn-heavy roads while visibility is high and traffic is lighter. Keep your $30 fuel budget handy for refueling at local stations along the way. Since the route consists of local roads, remain patient with stop-and-go intersections as you transition between the various streets designated for this trip.
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 97.9 miles from Evergreen Park, IL, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 152.5 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 43 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.9 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 3m
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 Evergreen Park, 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 Evergreen Park, IL
This is one driving day of about 195.8 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Evergreen Park, 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 I 55 for about 152.5 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 195.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3 mi into trip|~5m in|West 111th Street
Turn left onto West 111th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
14 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Iowa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 345B
Toward I 80 West: Iowa
8
133 mi into trip|~2h 34m 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
6
195.5 mi into trip|~3h 44m in|North 7th Street
Turn left onto North 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
195.6 mi into trip|~3h 44m in|East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.61 one way
$61.22 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$33.61
$67.22
premium
$4.89
$37.68
$75.36
diesel
$5.61
$43.23
$86.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.5 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
58.7
0
$20.56
$9.40
Efficient EV
49
0
$17.13
$7.83
EV Truck/SUV
78.3
0
$27.41
$12.53
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Evergreen Park, IL
Morning
in Evergreen Park on Tuesday
Local time
7:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Springfield, IL
Morning
in Springfield on Tuesday
Local time
7:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
24 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
3h 45m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise on this 195.9-mile journey. Since the highway share is 0%, you will spend your time navigating surface streets like South Western Avenue, West 111th Street, and West Monterey Avenue. You won't find long, uninterrupted stretches of high-speed pavement here, as the route prioritizes local connections over efficiency. This personality requires your full attention, as you will be managing frequent turns throughout the 3-hour and 16-minute duration. Preparing for a more hands-on driving experience is essential for navigating these specific Illinois corridors successfully.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 152.5 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 3 miles in near West 111th Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 195.8 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 3 miles (West 111th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 14 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 133 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The Village of Evergreen Park is a city in Illinois located on the southwestern border of the city of Chicago. It is the “small town” connected to the “big city.” Because of the location it is able to enjoy all the amenities of its “big city” neighbor while continuing to enjoy the wonderful spirit a small town has to offer.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 45m. Total distance: 195.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m 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 152.5 miles on I 55. 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 3 miles (West 111th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 14 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 133 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Springfield, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
