Origin
Gillespie, IL
Morning in Gillespie on Tuesday
Local time
7:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gillespie, 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
1h 7m
Distance
53.1 mi
85 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 2m
★
6 AM
1h 7m
8 AM
1h 18m
10 AM
1h 11m
12 PM
1h 10m
3 PM
1h 12m
5 PM
1h 17m
8 PM
1h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gillespie, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Springfield, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Connecting Gillespie to Springfield, this 57.5-mile journey is a straightforward Midwestern trip that fits perfectly into a single day. You can expect to spend about 57 minutes behind the wheel, making it an efficient way to travel between these two Illinois towns. With a fuel budget of approximately $9, the trip is quite economical for solo drivers or small groups. Since the route is relatively short, there is no need to plan for overnight stays or complex logistics. Whether you are heading north for business or just a change of scenery, this transit offers a simple, no-fuss connection within the state.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 38.8 mi | 41m |
| East Elm Street | 8.8 mi | 13m |
| I 55 Business | 4.6 mi | 10m |
| East Washington Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East Old State Capitol Plaza | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| County Road 1200 N | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Macoupin Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 38.8 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gillespie, IL and Springfield, IL.
1
Start on IL 4
18 ft
·
2 sec
·
Macoupin Street
2
Turn right onto IL 4; IL 16
8.8 mi
·
13 min
·
East Elm Street
3
Continue on IL 16
376 ft
·
23 sec
·
County Road 1200 N
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 55 North: Springfield
5
Merge onto I 55
39 mi
·
41 min
·
I 55
6
Take the exit onto I 55 Business
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 55 Business
Toward I 55 Business North: Springfield
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 Business
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
I 55 Business
Toward I 55 Business North: Springfield
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 Business
3.8 mi
·
8 min
·
I 55 Business
Toward I 55 Business North: Springfield
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on East Old State Capitol Plaza
409 ft
·
15 sec
·
East Old State Capitol Plaza
10
Turn right onto East Washington Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
East Washington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Arrive at destination
East Washington Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.5 miles from Gillespie, 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 75 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 52.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IL 4; IL 16 / East Elm Street
Turn right onto IL 4; IL 16 / East Elm Street
Navigation decision point
4
48.1 mi into trip
|
~56m in
|
I 55 Business
Take the exit onto I 55 Business toward I 55 Business North: Springfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 55 Business North: Springfield
5
48.8 mi into trip
|
~57m in
|
I 55 Business
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 Business toward I 55 Business North: Springfield
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 55 Business North: Springfield
7
49 mi into trip
|
~57m in
|
I 55 Business
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 Business toward I 55 Business North: Springfield
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
Toward I 55 Business North: Springfield
7
52.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
|
East Washington Street
Turn right onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.30 one way
$16.60 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $9.11 | $18.23 |
| premium | $4.89 | $10.22 | $20.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.72 | $23.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.9 | 0 | $5.58 | $2.55 |
| Efficient EV | 13.3 | 0 | $4.65 | $2.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.43 | $3.40 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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
Morning in Springfield on Tuesday
Local time
7:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Woodside, IL
27 mi in
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
4 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
1h 7m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged rather than lulled by a monotonous interstate slog. You will navigate a mix of East Elm Street and County Road 1200 N before transitioning toward I-55 North. Because the highway share is 0%, your focus will be entirely on navigating local roads rather than high-speed cruising. There are no long, uninterrupted stretches here, as the longest segment on East Elm Street is 0 miles, requiring you to stay alert through various turns. This route prioritizes local connectivity over highway speed, giving you a very hands-on driving experience.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38.8 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and East Elm Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IL 4; IL 16 / East Elm Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 7m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IL 4; IL 16 / East Elm Street): Navigation decision point; at 48.1 miles (I 55 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 48.8 miles (I 55 Business): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 1h 7m. Total distance: 53.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38.8 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IL 4; IL 16 / East Elm Street): Navigation decision point; at 48.1 miles (I 55 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 48.8 miles (I 55 Business): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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.
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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