This 237.5-mile drive from Lena, Illinois, to Springfield, Illinois, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 25 minutes. You'll spend about 78% of your time on highways, primarily utilizing I-39 and I-55, with a segment of the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $37, making it an economical option. Given the straightforward route and reasonable duration, it's well-suited for a single day of travel without feeling rushed. This Midwestern route offers a direct connection within the state of Illinois.
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
118.8 miles from Lena, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m 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
36.7 mi
44m
West State Road
9.8 mi
11m
US 51
7.6 mi
8m
Clear Lake Avenue
2.1 mi
4m
IL 73
1 mi
1m
North Schuyler Street
0.6 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 39
— 118.2 mi, about 2h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lena, IL and Springfield, IL.
1
Start on West Lena Street
93 ft·3 sec·West Lena Street
2
Turn right onto IL 73
0.6 mi·55 sec·North Schuyler Street
3
Continue on IL 73
1.0 mi·1 min·IL 73
4
Turn left onto US 20
25 mi·30 min·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
5
Continue on US 20
9.8 mi·11 min·West State Road
6
Continue on US 20
11 mi·13 min·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Toward US 20 East: Chicago
7
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
8
Merge onto I 39; US 51
118 mi·2 hr 6 min·I 39; US 51
9
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
10
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.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward IL 97 West
12
Merge onto IL 97
2.1 mi·4 min·Clear Lake Avenue
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on IL 97
0.4 mi·1 min·East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto North 7th Street
406 ft·18 sec·North 7th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·East Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Arrive at destination
East Washington Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 25-minute drive, departing Lena, IL, in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and arrive in Springfield with ample time. With only one recommended stop and an estimated fuel cost of $37, you can plan your stops strategically, perhaps breaking up the 118.2-mile stretch on I-39. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer highway segments. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, planning for a mid-drive break will ensure a more comfortable experience.
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 118.8 miles from Lena, IL, or about 2h 14m 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 52 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.8 miles or 2h 14m 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 36m
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 Lena, 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 Lena, IL
This is one driving day of about 237.5 miles and 4h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Lena, 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 167.2 and 237.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
167.2 mi into trip|~3h 6m 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
174.8 mi into trip|~3h 14m 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
5
234.7 mi into trip|~4h 19m 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
237.3 mi into trip|~4h 24m in|North 7th Street
Turn left onto North 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
237.4 mi into trip|~4h 25m in|East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.13 one way
$74.26 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$40.77
$81.54
premium
$4.89
$45.70
$91.41
diesel
$5.61
$52.44
$104.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.3
0
$24.94
$11.40
Efficient EV
59.4
0
$20.78
$9.50
EV Truck/SUV
95
1
$33.25
$15.20
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Lena, IL
Late night
in Lena on Sunday
Local time
2:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Springfield, IL
Late night
in Springfield on Sunday
Local time
2:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
El Paso, IL
119 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
30 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 25m 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 highway-focused experience for the majority of this 237.5-mile journey. With 78% of the drive on interstates, you'll cover significant ground efficiently. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 118.2 miles on I-39, so be prepared for extended periods of steady highway driving. While primarily interstate, there's a portion of the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, which may offer a slight change in pace. The overall character is one of practical transit, designed for covering distance rather than leisurely sightseeing.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 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 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 167.2 miles in near US 51.
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 237.5 miles you will encounter 10 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 167.2 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 174.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 234.7 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.
Between Lena, 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 25m. Total distance: 237.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). 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.
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 167.2 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 174.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 234.7 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Springfield, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
