Lake Summerset, IL to Springfield, IL is 220.9 miles and takes about 4h 15m via I 39 and I 55, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive primarily within Illinois, moving you from one Midwest location to another. It's a solid choice if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground without much fuss. The route is mainly on major highways, making it predictable and easy to navigate. Consider this trip for a single-day journey when you want to get to your destination without extensive planning.
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
110.4 miles from Lake Summerset, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 39
118.2 mi
2h 6m
I 55
59.5 mi
1h 3m
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
9.4 mi
10m
Trask Bridge Road
9 mi
12m
US 51
7.6 mi
8m
North Meridian Road
4.6 mi
8m
Center Road
2.9 mi
4m
Freeport Road
2.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 39
— 118.2 mi, about 2h 6m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,955 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,420
Quietest
2 AM
~176 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 49 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Summerset, IL and Springfield, IL.
1
Start on Pier Drive
1.0 mi·3 min·Pier Drive
2
At end of road, turn left onto Lake Summerset Road
0.1 mi·28 sec·Lake Summerset Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto Best Road
1.8 mi·4 min·Best Road
4
Turn left onto IL 75
2.5 mi·3 min·Freeport Road
5
Turn right onto IL 70
2.9 mi·4 min·Center Road
6
Continue on IL 70
9.0 mi·12 min·Trask Bridge Road
7
Turn right onto CH 24
2.7 mi·4 min·North Meridian Road
8
Enter roundabout onto North Meridian Road
156 ft·8 sec·North Meridian Road
9
Continue on North Meridian Road
1.9 mi·3 min·North Meridian Road
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
11
Merge onto US 20
9.4 mi·10 min·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Toward US 20 East: Chicago
12
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
13
Merge onto I 39; US 51
118 mi·2 hr 6 min·I 39; US 51
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 51
7.6 mi·8 min·US 51
Toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur
15
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.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward IL 97 West
17
Merge onto IL 97
2.1 mi·4 min·Clear Lake Avenue
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on IL 97
0.4 mi·1 min·East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto North 7th Street
406 ft·18 sec·North 7th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
20
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·East Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Arrive at destination
East Washington Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 15m estimated drive time and 220.9 miles, this is comfortably a one-day trip. Leaving in the morning should give you plenty of daylight to arrive well before evening. You'll encounter one recommended stop, so plan to stretch your legs and refuel there. The fuel cost is estimated at $35, so be sure to factor that into your budget. Keep an eye out for the transition from I 39 to I 55 as this is where the route significantly shifts its primary highway focus.
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 110.4 miles from Lake Summerset, IL, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.2 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 49 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.4 miles or 2h 13m 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 Summerset, 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 Summerset, IL
This is one driving day of about 220.9 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Lake Summerset, 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 39 for about 118.2 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 220.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1 mi into trip|~3m in|Lake Summerset Road
At end of road, turn left onto Lake Summerset Road
Navigation decision point
6
150.6 mi into trip|~2h 56m in|US 51
Keep slight right at fork onto US 51 toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champai...
8
158.2 mi into trip|~3h 5m 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
220.7 mi into trip|~4h 15m in|North 7th Street
Turn left onto North 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
220.7 mi into trip|~4h 15m in|East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.62 one way
$65.24 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$36.01
$72.03
premium
$4.72
$41.01
$82.03
diesel
$4.80
$41.71
$83.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.3
0
$23.19
$10.60
Efficient EV
55.2
0
$19.33
$8.84
EV Truck/SUV
88.4
1
$30.93
$14.14
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Lake Summerset, IL
Morning
in Lake Summerset on Sunday
Local time
11:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Sunny
NNW 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 3:44PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:42PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Springfield, IL
Morning
in Springfield on Sunday
Local time
11:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
W 9 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 3:44PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:42PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
85°F
Bloomington, IL
110 mi in
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
6 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 15m 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 drive is heavily focused on highways, with 84% of the journey taking place on them, so expect a good amount of time on interstates like I 39 and I 55. You'll experience a longest continuous stretch of 118.2 miles on I 39, which means you can settle in for a good period without significant changes in road type. The U.S. Grant Memorial Highway also plays a part in this mostly highway-centric profile. The character is one of consistent speed and efficiency, ideal for making good time across the state.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.2 mi on I 39.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 39 and I 55. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near Lake Summerset Road.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 220.9 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (Lake Summerset Road): Navigation decision point; at 150.6 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 158.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
865 ft520 ft
Total Climb
423 ft
Total Descent
681 ft
Highest Point
865 ft
~15.8 mi in
Elevation Range
345 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lake Summerset, IL and Springfield, IL, road signs point toward Champaign, Saint Louis and Decatur.
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 15m. Total distance: 220.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 15m 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 118.2 miles on I 39. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (Lake Summerset Road): Navigation decision point; at 150.6 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 158.2 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 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Springfield, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
