Kenilworth to Springfield is 212 miles and takes about 4 hours 11 minutes via Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I-55, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive will take you through the heart of Illinois, moving from the suburban landscapes north of Chicago down into the central part of the state. Given its relatively short duration and primary focus on major interstates, this route is best suited for travelers prioritizing efficiency. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained highways, making it a straightforward journey for those looking to cover ground quickly.
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
106 miles from Kenilworth, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 12m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Kenilworth, IL and Springfield, IL.
1
Start on Park Drive
61 ft·5 sec·Park Drive
2
Turn right onto Green Bay Road
170 ft·7 sec·Green Bay Road
3
Turn right onto Kenilworth Avenue
0.4 mi·53 sec·Kenilworth Avenue
4
Turn slight left onto Ridge Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Ridge Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on Gross Point Road
4.2 mi·8 min·Gross Point Road
Use the left lane.
6
Turn straight onto New Gross Point Road
0.1 mi·14 sec·New Gross Point Road
7
Turn right onto Howard Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·Howard Street
8
Turn left onto North Lehigh Avenue
120 ft·2 sec·North Lehigh Avenue
9
Turn right onto West Gross Point Road
0.9 mi·1 min·West Gross Point Road
10
Turn slight right onto West Touhy Avenue
4.0 mi·7 min·West Touhy Avenue
Use the right lane.
11
Turn left onto South Des Plaines River Road
184 ft·3 sec·South Des Plaines River Road
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward I 294 South: Indiana
13
Merge onto I 294
11 mi·14 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
1.2 mi·1 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 23Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto I 55
119 mi·2 hr 13 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward IL 97 West
21
Merge onto IL 97
2.1 mi·4 min·Clear Lake Avenue
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on IL 97
0.4 mi·1 min·East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Turn left onto North 7th Street
406 ft·18 sec·North 7th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
24
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·East Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
25
Arrive at destination
East Washington Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 11-minute drive, departing Kenilworth in the morning will allow you to reach Springfield with plenty of daylight to spare. Since the route is primarily highway and under 5 hours, you likely won't need to split the drive, offering flexibility in your timing. Plan for one stop to break up the 212 miles, perhaps around the halfway point, to refuel and stretch your legs. Keep an eye on the fuel cost estimate of $33, and consider filling up before you hit longer stretches of highway where services might be less frequent. A practical tip for this drive is to be aware of potential traffic delays when initially merging onto the Tri-State Tollway and I-55, especially during peak hours.
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 106 miles from Kenilworth, IL, or about 2h 12m 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 47 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106 miles or 2h 12m 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 27m
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 Kenilworth, 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 Kenilworth, IL
This is one driving day of about 212 miles and 4h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Kenilworth, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 27.6 and 211.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
27.6 mi into trip|~44m 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.
6
28.9 mi into trip|~45m in
Take the exit toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 23
Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
7
29.5 mi into trip|~46m 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
149.3 mi into trip|~3h 1m 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
211.9 mi into trip|~4h 11m in|East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.14 one way
$66.29 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$36.39
$72.78
premium
$4.89
$40.80
$81.59
diesel
$5.61
$46.81
$93.61
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: 74.2 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
63.6
0
$22.26
$10.18
Efficient EV
53
0
$18.55
$8.48
EV Truck/SUV
84.8
1
$29.68
$13.57
Gas CO2
74 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 21, 2026
Origin
Kenilworth, IL
Morning
in Kenilworth on Tuesday
Local time
8:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Springfield, IL
Morning
in Springfield on Tuesday
Local time
8:16 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
11 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 11m 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...
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 29.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 84% of the journey taking place on major interstates like the Tri-State Tollway, Adlai Stevenson Expressway, and I-55. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 119.4 miles on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, indicating long periods of consistent highway travel. Expect a consistent driving experience for the majority of the trip, characterized by smooth pavement and multi-lane traffic typical of major expressways. While the landscape may change gradually as you move south through Illinois, the road itself remains largely consistent in its highway nature.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 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 27.6 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.
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 19 significant decision points across 212 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 27.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.5 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 Kenilworth, IL to Springfield, IL, road signs begin pointing toward St. Louis along the way.
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 4h 11m. Total distance: 212 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). 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 27.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Springfield, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
