Connecting Lewistown to Springfield, this 58.8-mile journey is a straightforward trek across the heart of the Illinois Midwest. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 35 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $9, the drive is both time-efficient and cost-effective for travelers. Navigating via US 136, IL 97, and IL 78, you will transition between these routes to complete the cross-regional trek. Whether you are heading to the state capital for business or leisure, this path serves as a reliable, no-fuss connection between these two communities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
29.4 miles from Lewistown, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 136
26.1 mi
42m
IL 97
19.7 mi
30m
IL 78
6.7 mi
11m
East Avenue E
3.5 mi
5m
Old Salem Road
2.3 mi
3m
North 7th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
East Washington Street
0.1 mi
<1m
South 6th Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 136
— 26.1 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lewistown, IL and Springfield, IL.
1
Start on US 24; IL 97
3.5 mi·5 min·East Avenue E
2
Turn right onto IL 78; IL 97
6.7 mi·11 min·IL 78; IL 97
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 136; IL 78; IL 97
26 mi·42 min·US 136; IL 78; IL 97
4
Continue on IL 97; IL 123
0.1 mi·20 sec·South 6th Street
5
Continue on IL 97; IL 123
2.3 mi·3 min·Old Salem Road
6
Continue on IL 97; IL 123
12 mi·17 min·IL 97; IL 123
7
At end of road, turn left onto IL 97
8.1 mi·13 min·IL 97
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn right onto North 7th Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·North 7th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·East Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Arrive at destination
East Washington Street
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule to avoid peak local traffic. Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you can easily complete the entire 1 hour and 35-minute duration in one go, but keeping your gas tank topped off before leaving Lewistown is a smart way to manage your $9 fuel estimate. Pay close attention to the transitions between US 136, IL 97, and IL 78, as staying alert during these road changes will ensure a smooth arrival. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider timing your departure to miss midday congestion near Springfield. Ultimately, the lack of scheduled stops means you are in total control of your arrival time.
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 29.4 miles from Lewistown, IL, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.1 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 13 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 29.4 miles or 48m 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 20m
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 Lewistown, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lewistown, IL
This is one driving day of about 58.8 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 13 miles from Lewistown, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 136 for about 26.1 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 5
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.5 and 58.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
3.5 mi into trip|~5m in|IL 78; IL 97
Turn right onto IL 78; IL 97
Navigation decision point
4
10.3 mi into trip|~17m in|US 136; IL 78; IL 97
At end of road, turn left onto US 136; IL 78; IL 97
Navigation decision point
7
50.5 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|IL 97
At end of road, turn left onto IL 97
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
58.5 mi into trip|~1h 34m in|North 7th Street
Turn right onto North 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
58.7 mi into trip|~1h 35m in|East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.19 one way
$18.39 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg21 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$10.09
$20.19
premium
$4.89
$11.32
$22.63
diesel
$5.61
$12.98
$25.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
17.6
0
$6.17
$2.82
Efficient EV
14.7
0
$5.15
$2.35
EV Truck/SUV
23.5
0
$8.23
$3.76
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (67% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Lewistown, IL
Morning
in Lewistown on Tuesday
Local time
8:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Springfield, IL
Morning
in Springfield on Tuesday
Local time
8:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Petersburg, IL
29 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
21 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
1h 35m 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
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 trip is characterized by a highway-focused layout, with 89% of your travel occurring on higher-speed roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 26.1 miles on US 136. While the drive is consistent, the transition between US 136, IL 97, and IL 78 keeps the experience from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind. Expect a steady, predictable pace that allows you to cover the nearly 60-mile distance without technical challenges or complex navigation. The road personality is functional and direct, providing a stable surface for your transit across the Illinois landscape.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 26.1 mi on US 136.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 136 and IL 97. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 miles in near IL 78; IL 97.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Lewistown, IL to Springfield, IL is easy. At 1h 35m with 89% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.5 miles (IL 78; IL 97): Navigation decision point; at 10.3 miles (US 136; IL 78; IL 97): Navigation decision point; at 50.5 miles (IL 97): Lane positioning matters here.
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
The longest stretch is about 26.1 miles on US 136. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.5 miles (IL 78; IL 97): Navigation decision point; at 10.3 miles (US 136; IL 78; IL 97): Navigation decision point; at 50.5 miles (IL 97): 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.
