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Trip from Lacon, 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

2h

Distance

99.7 mi

160 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 52m ★
6 AM
2h 0m
8 AM
2h 18m
10 AM
2h 6m
12 PM
2h 5m
3 PM
2h 7m
5 PM
2h 17m
8 PM
1h 55m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Lacon, IL, IL

Lacon, IL

Emilio Sánchez Hernández

capital city of Illinois and county seat of Sangamon County

Springfield, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 98.8-mile journey from Lacon, IL, to Springfield, IL, is a straightforward, single-day trip taking approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $15, it's an economical choice for a quick excursion within the Midwest. The drive primarily utilizes IL 29 and State Route 29, offering a local feel without significant highway time, as the highway share is 0%. Given its manageable distance and duration, this route is perfectly suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. You'll experience a turn-heavy local drive that connects two points within Illinois.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

49.8 miles from Lacon, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 155 31.8 mi 34m
I 55 28.7 mi 31m
IL 29 9.3 mi 11m
North Galena Road 7.8 mi 11m
Murray Baker Bridge 7.3 mi 8m
North State Route 29 6 mi 7m
Clear Lake Avenue 2.1 mi 4m
Northeast Jefferson Avenue 1.7 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 155 — 31.8 mi, about 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on IL 17

1.5 mi · 2 min · 5th Street
2

Turn left onto IL 29

0.5 mi · 32 sec · Railroad Street
3

Continue on IL 29

9.1 mi · 10 min · IL 29
4

Continue on IL 29

6.0 mi · 7 min · North State Route 29
5

Continue on IL 29

0.5 mi · 36 sec · North Galena Road
6

Continue on IL 29

7.3 mi · 10 min · North Galena Road
7

Continue on IL 29

1.2 mi · 1 min · Northeast Adams Street
8

Continue on IL 29

1.7 mi · 2 min · Northeast Jefferson Avenue
9

Take the ramp onto IL 29

0.2 mi · 25 sec · IL 29
Toward I 74 East, IL 29 South: Bloomington, Pekin
10

Merge onto I 74; IL 29

7.3 mi · 8 min · Murray Baker Bridge
11

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 155 South: Lincoln
12

Continue on I 155

32 mi · 34 min · I 155
13

Merge onto I 55

29 mi · 31 min · I 55
14

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 43 sec
Toward IL 97 West
15

Merge onto IL 97

2.1 mi · 4 min · Clear Lake Avenue
Use the straight lane.
16

Continue on IL 97

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17

Turn left onto North 7th Street

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

Turn left onto East Washington Street

0.1 mi · 23 sec · East Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
19

Arrive at destination

East Washington Street

Trip Plan

For this 1 hour and 40-minute drive, consider leaving mid-morning to avoid early rush hour and allow for a relaxed start. Since the route is only 98.8 miles and has a fuel cost of around $15, you have plenty of flexibility for spontaneous stops. Keep an eye on your GPS as you'll be on local roads like IL 29 and State Route 29, which can involve more frequent turns than you might expect. There are no designated major stops mentioned, so plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps in one of the towns you pass through along the way.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 49.8 miles from Lacon, IL, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.8 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 22 miles or 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 49.8 miles or 1h 3m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 37m

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 Lacon, 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 Lacon, IL

This is one driving day of about 99.7 miles and 2h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Lacon, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 155 for about 31.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown East Peoria, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

East Peoria, IL

50 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

Peoria Heights, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Delavan, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 49.8 miles from Lacon, 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · early in the drive

Eggcellent Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

East Peoria, Illinois

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch · 34min in 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+13096431218

Visit website

Magic Kitchen

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Springfield, Illinois

0.9 mi

Honey Sugar's Cafe, LLC

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Peoria, Illinois

0.9 mi

Eggcellent Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+13096431218

Visit website

Magic Kitchen

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+12175256975

Visit website

Honey Sugar's Cafe, LLC

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–8 pm

+13096431089

Visit website

Mr Gyros

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+12175232817

Taco Gringo South

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+12176702905

Visit website

Krekel's Custard & Hamburgers

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Grandview, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+12175254952

Visit website

The 520 Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+13098391416

Visit website

One World

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 7:30 am–8 pm

+13096721522

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

East Peoria, Illinois

InCharge Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Morton, Illinois

+13092913039

Visit website

Circle K Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Morton, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18335052291

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Peoria, Illinois

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 5 am–12 pm

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13094948850

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 27.6 and 99.5 — 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 | ~37m in | IL 29

Take the ramp onto IL 29 toward I 74 East, IL 29 South: Bloomington, Pekin

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 74 East, IL 29 South: Bloomington, Pek...
4
35.2 mi into trip | ~46m in

Take the exit toward I 155 South: Lincoln

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 155 South: Lincoln
5
96.9 mi into trip | ~1h 54m 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
99.4 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in | North 7th Street

Turn left onto North 7th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.
7
99.5 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in | East Washington Street

Turn left onto East Washington Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.59 one way

$31.17 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 35 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $17.11 $34.23
premium $4.89 $19.19 $38.37
diesel $5.61 $22.01 $44.03

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 34.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 29.9 0 $10.47 $4.79
Efficient EV 24.9 0 $8.72 $3.99
EV Truck/SUV 39.9 0 $13.96 $6.38

Gas CO2

35 kg

EV CO2

12 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

Lacon, IL

Morning in Lacon on Tuesday

Local time

11:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Springfield, IL

Morning in Springfield on Tuesday

Local time

11:57 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

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

2h 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

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 99.7
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 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 98.8-mile stretch, with no highway segments to speak of. The route predominantly follows Railroad Street and then transitions to IL 29 and State Route 29. While there isn't a defined 'longest stretch' provided, the nature of local roads means you'll encounter more frequent turns and varying speed limits compared to an interstate. This is a driving experience focused on navigating through towns and local landscapes rather than covering vast distances at high speed. The constant changes in direction will keep you engaged behind the wheel.

76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 31.8 mi on I 155.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 155 and I 55. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 27.6 miles in near IL 29.

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 2h drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 27.6 miles (IL 29): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 96.9 miles (IL 97 / Clear Lake Avenue): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 Lacon, IL to Springfield, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Pekin along the way.

Pekin

27.6 mi in | ~37m | via IL 29

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 2h. Total distance: 99.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (76%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 31.8 miles on I 155. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 27.6 miles (IL 29): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 96.9 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.

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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