Origin
Jonesboro, IL
Morning in Jonesboro on Tuesday
Local time
6:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Jonesboro, 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
3h 55m
Distance
191 mi
307 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 42m
★
6 AM
3h 55m
8 AM
4h 21m
10 AM
4h 4m
12 PM
4h 2m
3 PM
4h 6m
5 PM
4h 20m
8 PM
3h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jonesboro, IL
Mike Tyurin
Springfield, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 191-mile drive from Jonesboro, IL to Springfield, IL is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 55 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with about 70% of the journey on interstates like I-55 and I-64, and sections on North 2nd Street. Budget around $29 for fuel, and plan for at least one stop to break up the drive. Given the relatively short duration and the Midwest scenery, this trip is well-suited for a single day of travel, allowing for flexibility in your departure time.
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
95.5 miles from Jonesboro, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 58.1 mi | 1h 2m |
| North 2nd Street | 45.5 mi | 56m |
| I 64 | 26.6 mi | 28m |
| IL 4 | 26 mi | 38m |
| US 51 | 19 mi | 22m |
| West Main Street | 7 mi | 10m |
| I 55 Business | 4.6 mi | 10m |
| Broad Street | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 58.1 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jonesboro, IL and Springfield, IL.
1
Start on this road
35 ft
·
3 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Public Square
21 ft
·
8 sec
·
Public Square
3
Continue on Public Square
126 ft
·
6 sec
·
Public Square
4
Merge onto Public Square
363 ft
·
8 sec
·
Public Square
5
Turn slight right onto IL 146
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Broad Street
6
Turn right onto IL 146
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
East Vienna Street
7
Turn left onto US 51
19 mi
·
22 min
·
US 51
8
Turn left onto IL 13
7.0 mi
·
10 min
·
West Main Street
9
Take the exit onto IL 13
177 ft
·
4 sec
·
IL 13
10
Merge onto IL 13; IL 127; IL 149
46 mi
·
56 min
·
North 2nd Street
11
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
12
Merge onto I 64
27 mi
·
28 min
·
I 64
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Toward IL 4
14
Keep slight right at fork
181 ft
·
3 sec
Toward IL 4
15
Turn straight onto IL 4
26 mi
·
38 min
·
IL 4
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
17
Merge onto I 55
58 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
I 55
18
Take the exit onto I 55 Business
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 55 Business
Toward I 55 Business North: Springfield
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 Business
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
I 55 Business
Toward I 55 Business North: Springfield
20
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.
21
Continue on East Old State Capitol Plaza
409 ft
·
15 sec
·
East Old State Capitol Plaza
22
Turn right onto East Washington Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
East Washington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Arrive at destination
East Washington Street
Trip Plan
For this 3 hour and 55 minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Jonesboro to maximize your daylight and flexibility in Springfield. With 191 miles and a fuel cost of approximately $29, planning one stop is sufficient. The longest stretch on I-55 is over 58 miles, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge before entering that segment. This route is straightforward and doesn't require extensive planning, allowing you to adapt your schedule as needed.
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 95.5 miles from Jonesboro, IL, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.1 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 42 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.5 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 12m
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 Jonesboro, 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 Jonesboro, IL
This is one driving day of about 191 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Jonesboro, 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 58.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
96 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 95.5 miles from Jonesboro, 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 185 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 190.7 — 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
|
Public Square
Turn right onto Public Square
Navigation decision point
5
101.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward IL 4
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward IL 4
5
186.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 45m 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
186.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 45m 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
190.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 54m in
|
East Washington Street
Turn right onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.86 one way
$59.72 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
67 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $32.79 | $65.57 |
| premium | $4.89 | $36.76 | $73.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.17 | $84.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.3 | 0 | $20.05 | $9.17 |
| Efficient EV | 47.8 | 0 | $16.71 | $7.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 76.4 | 0 | $26.74 | $12.22 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Destination
Springfield, IL
Morning in Springfield on Tuesday
Local time
6:10 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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 55m 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.
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 191
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 191-mile journey, with 70% of the drive utilizing major interstates like I-55 and I-64. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 58.1 miles on I-55, offering a consistent pace. While primarily interstate, you'll also navigate through local road sections like North 2nd Street, which can introduce brief changes in speed and environment. The overall character is one of efficient travel, moving you steadily through the heart of Illinois.
70% 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: 58.1 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and North 2nd Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Public Square.
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 191 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: near the start (Public Square): Navigation decision point; at 101.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 186.7 miles (I 55 Business): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
695 ft
448 ft
Total Climb
321 ft
Total Descent
289 ft
Highest Point
695 ft
~13.6 mi in
Elevation Range
247 ft
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 3h 55m. Total distance: 191 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.1 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: near the start (Public Square): Navigation decision point; at 101.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 186.7 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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