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Trip from Riverdale, 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

3h 39m

Distance

190.1 mi

306 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 27m ★
6 AM
3h 39m
8 AM
4h 4m
10 AM
3h 48m
12 PM
3h 45m
3 PM
3h 49m
5 PM
4h 3m
8 PM
3h 32m

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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village in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Riverdale, IL

Wikimedia Commons

capital city of Illinois and county seat of Sangamon County

Springfield, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Planning a trip from Riverdale, Illinois, to Springfield, Illinois? This 190.1-mile drive, estimated to take around 3 hours and 39 minutes, is a straightforward journey entirely within the Midwest. With 95% of the route on highways, it's a focused drive perfect for a single day, so you won't need to worry about overnight stays. Budget approximately $30 for fuel, making it a cost-effective option. This route is primarily about efficient travel, getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss, ideal if you're looking to maximize your time at your destination.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

95.1 miles from Riverdale, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 152.5 mi 2h 44m
I 80 25.3 mi 30m
I 57 3.7 mi 5m
Clear Lake Avenue 2.1 mi 4m
East 147th Street 2.1 mi 4m
Halsted Street 0.7 mi 1m
West 144th Street 0.5 mi 1m
East Jefferson Street 0.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 152.5 mi, about 2h 44m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on West 144th Street

37 ft · 6 sec · West 144th Street
2

Continue on West 144th Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · West 144th Street
Use the left lane.
3

At end of road, turn left onto IL 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Halsted Street
4

Turn right onto IL 83

2.1 mi · 4 min · East 147th Street
5

Turn left

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Toward I 57 South
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 294 Toll South, I 57 South: Indiana, Memphis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
8

Merge onto I 57

3.7 mi · 5 min · I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 45 sec
Exit 345B Toward I 80 West: Iowa Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 80

25 mi · 30 min · I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Exit 126A Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
12

Merge onto I 55

93 mi · 1 hr 40 min · I 55
Use the right lane.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

60 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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

Given the manageable 3 hours and 39-minute duration for this 190.1-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility. Leaving Riverdale in the morning should allow you to reach Springfield with ample daylight. With only one suggested stop and the longest stretch being over 150 miles on I-55, plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point. The $30 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always keep an eye on your gauge, especially on longer highway segments. A good tip is to use a navigation app to monitor real-time traffic, as I-55 can experience congestion near urban areas.

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 95.1 miles from Riverdale, IL, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 152.5 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 42 miles or 56m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 95.1 miles or 1h 53m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 58m

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 Riverdale, 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 Riverdale, IL

This is one driving day of about 190.1 miles and 3h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Riverdale, 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 152.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Normal, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Normal, IL

95 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

Joliet, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

El Paso, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 95.1 miles from Riverdale, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 152.5 miles.

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 · first break window

Happy Bites Burger & Wings - Tinley Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tinley Park, Illinois

Near the start, short detour

First break · 16min in 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+17086208223

Visit website

Magic Kitchen

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Springfield, Illinois

0.9 mi

FAJITAS MEXICAN RESTAURANT OF MOKENA

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Mokena, Illinois

0.7 mi

Happy Bites Burger & Wings - Tinley Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Tinley Park, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+17086208223

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

FAJITAS MEXICAN RESTAURANT OF MOKENA

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Mokena, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17089955737

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

Hillgrove Tap

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

Tinley Park, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+17083909500

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour Inexpensiv

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+12175445144

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Rivian Waypoints

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484261

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484273

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Normal, Illinois

+13094549590

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Final third 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

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 3.7 and 190 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
3.7 mi into trip | ~8m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 294 Toll South, I 57 South: Indiana, Memphis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 294 Toll South, I 57 South: Indiana, M...
7
8.3 mi into trip | ~15m in

Take the exit toward I 80 West: Iowa

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 345B Toward I 80 West: Iowa
8
127.4 mi into trip | ~2h 28m 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
189.9 mi into trip | ~3h 38m in | North 7th Street

Turn left onto North 7th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.
7
190 mi into trip | ~3h 38m in | East Washington Street

Turn left onto East Washington Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.72 one way

$59.44 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 67 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $32.63 $65.26
premium $4.89 $36.58 $73.17
diesel $5.61 $41.97 $83.94

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 66.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 57 0 $19.96 $9.12
Efficient EV 47.5 0 $16.63 $7.60
EV Truck/SUV 76 0 $26.61 $12.17

Gas CO2

67 kg

EV CO2

22 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 18, 2026

Origin

Riverdale, IL

Morning in Riverdale on Tuesday

Local time

8:23 AM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Springfield, IL

Morning in Springfield on Tuesday

Local time

8:23 AM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

WNW 14 mph 100% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 17 at 11:24PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 17 at 11:24PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

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

1 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 39m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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 190.2
View on nps.gov
Pullman National Historical Park

Pullman National Historical Park

National Historical Park

In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...

4 mi from route ~11 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is a highway-focused experience, with 95% of your journey utilizing major interstates like I-55, I-80, and I-57. Expect a consistent pace for most of the trip, as the longest uninterrupted stretch is a considerable 152.5 miles on I-55. While the landscape is predominantly highway, the sheer mileage on interstates means you'll be in a familiar driving environment for the majority of the time. The profile suggests a steady, efficient drive rather than a winding, scenic exploration.

95% 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: 152.5 mi on I 55.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 190.1 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 3.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 3h 39m. Total distance: 190.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 152.5 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 3.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.4 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 and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Springfield, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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