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Trip from Glenview, 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 4m

Distance

209.6 mi

337 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 52m ★
6 AM
4h 5m
8 AM
4h 31m
10 AM
4h 14m
12 PM
4h 11m
3 PM
4h 15m
5 PM
4h 30m
8 PM
3h 57m

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

village in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Glenview, IL

Wikimedia Commons

capital city of Illinois and county seat of Sangamon County

Springfield, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Glenview to Springfield is 209.6 miles and takes about 4h 4m via Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I-55, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Illinois, making it a straightforward drive connecting two points in the same state. With 85% highway driving, expect a relatively direct path that prioritizes speed over more meandering surface roads. This route is best suited for a single-day trip, ideal for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently.

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

104.8 miles from Glenview, 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 119.4 mi 2h 13m
I 55 59.5 mi 1h 3m
Tri-State Tollway 17.5 mi 22m
West Touhy Avenue 3.2 mi 6m
North Waukegan Road 2.2 mi 3m
Clear Lake Avenue 2.1 mi 4m
Waukegan Road 1.2 mi 1m
Harlem Avenue 1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Adlai Stevenson Expressway — 119.4 mi, about 2h 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Glenayre Drive

282 ft · 19 sec · Glenayre Drive
2

At end of road, turn sharp left onto Glenayre Drive

340 ft · 18 sec · Glenayre Drive
3

Turn left onto Glenview Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Glenview Road
4

Turn left onto IL 43

1.2 mi · 1 min · Waukegan Road
Use the left lane.
5

Continue on IL 43; IL 58

1.3 mi · 2 min · North Waukegan Road
Use the left lane.
6

Continue on IL 43

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Waukegan Road
7

Turn left onto IL 43

1.0 mi · 1 min · Harlem Avenue
8

Turn right onto West Touhy Avenue

3.2 mi · 6 min · West Touhy Avenue
9

Turn left onto South Des Plaines River Road

184 ft · 3 sec · South Des Plaines River Road
10

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Toward I 294 South: Indiana
11

Merge onto I 294

11 mi · 14 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 23 Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
15

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the slight right lane.
16

Merge onto I 55

119 mi · 2 hr 13 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

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.
18

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 43 sec
Toward IL 97 West
19

Merge onto IL 97

2.1 mi · 4 min · Clear Lake Avenue
Use the straight lane.
20

Continue on IL 97

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21

Turn left onto North 7th Street

406 ft · 18 sec · North 7th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
22

Turn left onto East Washington Street

0.1 mi · 23 sec · East Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
23

Arrive at destination

East Washington Street

Trip Plan

Given the 4h 4m estimated drive time, leaving Glenview in the morning should allow you to reach Springfield the same day with plenty of daylight to spare. The route includes one stop, and with the longest stretch being 119.4 miles, you'll have opportunities to break up the drive. Plan your fuel stops accordingly, as the estimated cost is around $33, and it’s always wise to top off before embarking on longer highway segments. Keep an eye out for the transition away from the Tri-State Tollway onto I-55, as this marks a significant portion of your travel.

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 104.8 miles from Glenview, IL, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.4 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 46 miles or 1h 1m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 104.8 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 20m

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 Glenview, 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 Glenview, IL

This is one driving day of about 209.6 miles and 4h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Glenview, 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 119.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Normal, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Normal, IL

105 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 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Normal, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 104.8 miles from Glenview, 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 119.4 miles.

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 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 209.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Glenayre Drive

At end of road, turn sharp left onto Glenayre Drive

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

6
25.2 mi into trip | ~37m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
27.1 mi into trip | ~39m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
8
146.9 mi into trip | ~2h 54m 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
7
209.5 mi into trip | ~4h 4m in | East Washington Street

Turn left onto East Washington Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$32.77 one way

$65.54 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 73 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $35.98 $71.96
premium $4.89 $40.34 $80.67
diesel $5.61 $46.28 $92.55

Estimated Tolls: $1.05

Tri-state Tollway (17.5 mi) $1.05

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

$33

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 73.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 62.9 0 $22.01 $10.06
Efficient EV 52.4 0 $18.34 $8.38
EV Truck/SUV 83.8 1 $29.34 $13.41

Gas CO2

73 kg

EV CO2

25 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.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Glenview, IL

Late night in Glenview on Tuesday

Local time

5:38 AM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Springfield, IL

Late night in Springfield on Tuesday

Local time

5:38 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

10 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 4m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

You'll spend most of your time on the highway, with 85% of the 209.6 miles on major roads like the Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I-55. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 119.4 miles, also on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway. Expect to encounter a dense network of exits and interchanges as you navigate this primarily highway route, particularly as you transition between roads. The drive transitions to surface roads for the final 15% of the trip.

85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 119.4 mi on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 0.1 miles in near Glenayre Drive.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 209.6 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 0.1 miles (Glenayre Drive): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 25.2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.1 miles: 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.

On the drive from Glenview, IL to Springfield, IL, road signs begin pointing toward St. Louis along the way.

St. Louis

26.4 mi in | ~38m

About the Cities

Starting in Glenview, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1899

Glenview is a town of some 45,000 people in suburban Cook County, Illinois, part of the Chicagoland area. Once home to the Glenview Naval Air Station, the 1,121-acre facility was turned over to the local government and was redeveloped as The Glen, one of Glenview's prime residential and commercial areas.

Top landmarks

  • Kohl Children's Museum — children's museum in Illinois, United States

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 4m. Total distance: 209.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 119.4 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.05 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state 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.

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 0.1 miles (Glenayre Drive): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 25.2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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