This 220.4-mile drive from Lake in the Hills, IL to Springfield, IL takes approximately 3 hours and 42 minutes and is best suited as a single-day trip. You'll be navigating primarily local roads, with no highway driving, making it a turn-heavy experience. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $33. This route offers a straightforward way to travel within the Midwest region, connecting two points in Illinois without requiring an overnight stay. Plan for a leisurely pace given the nature of the drive.
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
101.5 miles from Lake in the Hills, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
121.9 mi
2h 10m
IL 47
22.1 mi
25m
South Randall Road
17.9 mi
28m
Orchard Road
11.2 mi
18m
North Randall Road
4.9 mi
8m
Minkler Road
4.3 mi
6m
Ashley Road
3.8 mi
5m
Randall Road
2.6 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 121.9 mi, about 2h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake in the Hills, IL and Springfield, IL.
1
Start on West Acorn Lane
0.3 mi·1 min·West Acorn Lane
2
Turn left onto V29
0.4 mi·50 sec·North Randall Road
3
Continue on V29
18 mi·28 min·South Randall Road
Use the straight lane.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto CR 34
1.2 mi·2 min·North Randall Road
5
Continue on CR 34
2.6 mi·4 min·Randall Road
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on CR 34
3.3 mi·5 min·North Randall Road
7
Turn right onto CR 83
11 mi·18 min·Orchard Road
Use the right lane.
8
Continue on Minkler Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Minkler Road
9
Enter roundabout onto Minkler Road
128 ft·3 sec·Minkler Road
10
Continue on Minkler Road
3.4 mi·5 min·Minkler Road
11
At end of road, turn right onto IL 126
0.5 mi·47 sec·East Schoolhouse Road
12
Turn left onto Ashley Road
3.8 mi·5 min·Ashley Road
13
Turn right onto Caton Farm Road
1.5 mi·2 min·Caton Farm Road
14
Turn left
7.2 mi·9 min
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on North Bridge Street
1.3 mi·1 min·North Bridge Street
16
Continue on IL 47
22 mi·25 min·IL 47
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 55 South: Bloomington
18
Merge onto I 55
62 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 55
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
Given the 3-hour 42-minute duration, leaving in the morning allows ample time to reach Springfield, IL without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Pay close attention to your navigation as you'll be making frequent turns along Randall Road and its continuations. The estimated fuel cost of $33 is a good baseline, but it's always wise to have a bit extra. Since this is a single-day trip, you can depart at your convenience and enjoy the local roads.
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 101.5 miles from Lake in the Hills, IL, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 121.9 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 45 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.5 miles or 2h 19m 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 29m
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 Lake in the Hills, 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 Lake in the Hills, IL
This is one driving day of about 203 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Lake in the Hills, 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 121.9 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 25.6 and 202.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
25.6 mi into trip|~42m in|CR 83 / Orchard Road
Turn right onto CR 83 / Orchard Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
77.5 mi into trip|~1h 53m in
Take the exit toward I 55 South: Bloomington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 55 South: Bloomington
8
140.2 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
6
202.7 mi into trip|~4h 11m in|North 7th Street
Turn left onto North 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
202.8 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
$31.74 one way
$63.47 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$34.85
$69.69
premium
$4.89
$39.07
$78.13
diesel
$5.61
$44.82
$89.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.9
0
$21.31
$9.74
Efficient EV
50.8
0
$17.76
$8.12
EV Truck/SUV
81.2
1
$28.42
$12.99
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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 15, 2026
Origin
Lake in the Hills, IL
Late night
in Lake in the Hills on Sunday
Local time
5:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Springfield, IL
Late night
in Springfield on Sunday
Local time
5:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°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
29 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 12m 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?
Expect a local drive with a significant number of turns, as this route has a 0% highway share. The roads are primarily local, so you'll be experiencing a more connected-to-the-ground journey rather than high-speed travel. While there isn't a defined 'longest stretch' of uninterrupted driving due to the turn-heavy profile, you'll be frequently adjusting your course. This type of driving requires consistent attention and engagement with your surroundings, offering a different experience than a typical interstate cruise.
71% 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: 121.9 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and IL 47. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 25.6 miles in near CR 83 / Orchard 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 14 significant decision points across 203 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 25.6 miles (CR 83 / Orchard Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 77.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 140.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 12m. Total distance: 203 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 121.9 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: at 25.6 miles (CR 83 / Orchard Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 77.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 140.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. 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.
