Traveling from Guilford to Springfield covers 237 miles across the Illinois landscape. You can expect a drive time of approximately 4 hours and 55 minutes, making this a manageable journey for a single day. With a fuel budget of about $36, the trip is quite cost-effective for solo travelers or families. The route relies heavily on the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, I-155, and I-55 to connect these two Midwest locations. Because the duration is just under five hours, you won't necessarily need an overnight stay, allowing for a straightforward trip. It is a practical, efficient way to traverse the state while sticking to a predictable schedule.
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
118.5 miles from Guilford, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
72.3 mi
1h 17m
I 155
31.8 mi
34m
I 55
28.7 mi
31m
Viaduct Road
23.7 mi
35m
Waller Road
14.9 mi
22m
Jefferson Street
14.4 mi
21m
I 474
13.8 mi
14m
I 80
9.5 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
— 72.3 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Guilford, IL and Springfield, IL.
1
Start on West Guilford Road
0.4 mi·56 sec·West Guilford Road
2
Continue on West Rawlins Road
1.9 mi·4 min·West Rawlins Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto CR 4
8.1 mi·14 min·North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 20
1.7 mi·2 min·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
5
Turn left onto IL 84
4.9 mi·7 min·Washington Street
6
Turn left onto IL 84
0.4 mi·54 sec·Jefferson Street
7
Continue on IL 84
14 mi·20 min·Jefferson Street
8
Continue on US 52; IL 64; IL 84
1.1 mi·2 min·Chicago Avenue
9
Turn right onto IL 84
24 mi·35 min·Viaduct Road
10
Continue on IL 84
1.0 mi·1 min·South Main Street
11
Continue on IL 84
15 mi·22 min·Waller Road
12
Continue on IL 84
2.0 mi·3 min·2nd Avenue
13
Turn left
0.5 mi·1 min
14
Merge onto I 80
9.5 mi·10 min·I 80
15
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 110
72 mi·1 hr 17 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
16
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 474 East: Indianapolis
17
Merge onto I 474
14 mi·14 min·I 474
18
Merge onto I 74
1.4 mi·1 min·I 74
19
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 155 South: Lincoln
20
Continue on I 155
32 mi·34 min·I 155
21
Merge onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward IL 97 West
23
Merge onto IL 97
2.1 mi·4 min·Clear Lake Avenue
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on IL 97
0.4 mi·1 min·East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn left onto North 7th Street
406 ft·18 sec·North 7th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
26
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·East Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
27
Arrive at destination
East Washington Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip, aim to depart early to maximize your time once you arrive in Springfield. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $36 budget in mind. Because the route is dominated by highway travel, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long 72.3-mile stretch on the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway to avoid unnecessary stops in remote areas. The flexibility of a sub-five-hour drive allows you to adjust your pace based on traffic conditions along the I-55 corridor. Always check for construction updates on the major interstates before you head out to ensure your travel time stays close to the 4-hour and 55-minute estimate.
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 118.5 miles from Guilford, IL, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.3 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 52 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.5 miles or 2h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 6m
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 Guilford, 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 Guilford, IL
This is one driving day of about 237 miles and 4h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Guilford, 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 Chicago-Kansas City Expressway for about 72.3 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 236.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
2.3 mi into trip|~5m in|CR 4 / North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road
At end of road, turn right onto CR 4 / North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road
Navigation decision point
5
10.4 mi into trip|~19m in|US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
At end of road, turn right onto US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Navigation decision point
5
234.2 mi into trip|~4h 49m in|IL 97 / Clear Lake Avenue
Merge onto IL 97 / Clear Lake Avenue
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
236.7 mi into trip|~4h 54m in|North 7th Street
Turn left onto North 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
236.8 mi into trip|~4h 55m in|East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.05 one way
$74.10 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$40.68
$81.36
premium
$4.89
$45.61
$91.22
diesel
$5.61
$52.33
$104.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.1
0
$24.88
$11.38
Efficient EV
59.3
0
$20.74
$9.48
EV Truck/SUV
94.8
1
$33.18
$15.17
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Guilford, IL
Night
in Guilford on Saturday
Local time
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Springfield, IL
Night
in Springfield on Saturday
Local time
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Partly Cloudy
SSW 14 to 18 mph14% chanceLive 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
18 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 55m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive keeps you on major thoroughfares for 67% of the journey, ensuring a steady pace throughout. You will spend a significant portion of your time navigating the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, which features the route's longest uninterrupted stretch of 72.3 miles. The transition between the expressway and the I-155 and I-55 segments keeps the driving experience consistent rather than overly technical. Because the road is designed for efficiency, you can expect a predictable, straightforward experience behind the wheel. Prepare for a trip that prioritizes speed and directness over winding backroads or scenic detours.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.3 mi on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and I 155. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in near CR 4 / North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 237 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 2.3 miles (CR 4 / North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road): Navigation decision point; at 10.4 miles (US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway): Navigation decision point; at 234.2 miles (IL 97 / Clear Lake Avenue): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 55m. Total distance: 237 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.3 miles on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. 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 2.3 miles (CR 4 / North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road): Navigation decision point; at 10.4 miles (US 20 / U.S. Grant Memorial Highway): Navigation decision point; at 234.2 miles (IL 97 / Clear Lake Avenue): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Springfield, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
