This 207.7-mile drive from Roscoe, Illinois, to Springfield, Illinois, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, with an estimated travel time of 3 hours and 51 minutes. The main roads include I-39, I-55, and the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, making for a well-connected trip within the Midwest. With a projected fuel cost of around $32, this route is an economical choice for a day trip. It’s a practical option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
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
103.8 miles from Roscoe, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 39
122.4 mi
2h 11m
I 55
59.5 mi
1h 3m
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
8.3 mi
8m
US 51
7.6 mi
8m
Belvidere Road
4.5 mi
7m
Clear Lake Avenue
2.1 mi
4m
West Lane Road
1.2 mi
1m
East Jefferson Street
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 39
— 122.4 mi, about 2h 11m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,989 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,473
Quietest
2 AM
~178 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 94 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 Roscoe, IL and Springfield, IL.
1
Start on Main Street
106 ft·10 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto Bridge Street
0.2 mi·22 sec·Bridge Street
3
Continue on Belvidere Road
4.5 mi·7 min·Belvidere Road
4
Turn right
189 ft·6 sec
5
Turn straight onto IL 173
1.2 mi·1 min·West Lane Road
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
7
Merge onto I 39; I 90; US 51
8.3 mi·8 min·Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; US 51
0.8 mi·52 sec·I 39; US 51
Toward I 39, US 51 South: Bloomington
9
Continue on I 39; US 20; US 51
2.1 mi·2 min·I 39; US 20; US 51
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; US 51
119 mi·2 hr 8 min·I 39; US 51
11
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
12
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.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward IL 97 West
14
Merge onto IL 97
2.1 mi·4 min·Clear Lake Avenue
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on IL 97
0.4 mi·1 min·East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto North 7th Street
406 ft·18 sec·North 7th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·East Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Arrive at destination
East Washington Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour, 51-minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. You’ll want to factor in your longest stretch of 122.4 miles on I-39, perhaps planning a brief stop before or after this segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $32, it's a budget-friendly excursion. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that long stretch on I-39, as services can be spaced out. Since it's a single-day journey, you have the advantage of not needing to split your driving time and can adjust your schedule as needed.
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 103.8 miles from Roscoe, IL, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122.4 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 46 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.8 miles or 1h 56m 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 7m
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 Roscoe, 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 Roscoe, IL
This is one driving day of about 207.7 miles and 3h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Roscoe, 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 122.4 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.9 and 207.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
14.9 mi into trip|~20m in|I 39; US 51
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; US 51 toward I 39, US 51 South: Bloomington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 39, US 51 South: Bloomington
6
137.3 mi into trip|~2h 32m 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
145 mi into trip|~2h 40m 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
207.5 mi into trip|~3h 50m in|North 7th Street
Turn left onto North 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
207.5 mi into trip|~3h 50m in|East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.20 one way
$64.40 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$35.31
$70.62
premium
$4.93
$40.30
$80.59
diesel
$5.60
$45.78
$91.57
Estimated Tolls: $0.58
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(8.3 mi)$0.58
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.3
0
$21.81
$9.97
Efficient EV
51.9
0
$18.17
$8.31
EV Truck/SUV
83.1
1
$29.08
$13.29
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Aug 23, 2026
Origin
Roscoe, IL
Late night
in Roscoe on Friday
Local time
3:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Clear
NNW 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 22 at 8:49PM CDT until August 28 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 22 at 8:49PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Springfield, IL
Late night
in Springfield on Friday
Local time
3:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Clear
NW 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 22 at 8:49PM CDT until August 28 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 22 at 8:49PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
71°F
Bloomington, IL
104 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
3h 51m 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
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 high-speed, highway-centric experience for this trip, as 91% of the drive utilizes major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 122.4 miles on I-39, offering a chance to settle in for a substantial portion of the journey. This profile means you'll primarily be on well-maintained, fast-moving roads designed for efficient travel. While not characterized by winding backroads or frequent town crossings, the consistent highway environment ensures a predictable and smooth ride for most of the 207.7 miles.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 122.4 mi on I 39.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 39 and I 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.9 miles in near I 39; US 51.
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 12 significant decision points across 207.7 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 14.9 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.3 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
928 ft568 ft
Total Climb
348 ft
Total Descent
488 ft
Highest Point
928 ft
~59.3 mi in
Elevation Range
360 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Roscoe, 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 3h 51m. Total distance: 207.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 122.4 miles on I 39. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.58 in tolls one way, starting with Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 24 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.9 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.3 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145 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 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Springfield, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
