This 232.2-mile drive from Rosiclare, IL to Springfield, IL will take you approximately 3 hours and 58 minutes, making it a perfect one-day adventure. You'll primarily navigate local roads, with no highway driving involved, suggesting a more intimate journey through the Midwest. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $35. Given the duration and the turn-heavy nature of the route, it's best tackled in a single day, allowing for a relaxed pace. You'll experience a consistent local driving feel throughout the entire journey.
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
107.2 miles from Rosiclare, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ken Gray Expressway
44.4 mi
48m
North Main Street
31.6 mi
47m
IL 34
24.9 mi
37m
West Springfield Road
15.7 mi
18m
South Superior Street
15.1 mi
17m
300E
13.5 mi
15m
County Road 875 East
11.1 mi
12m
150E
10.4 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
Ken Gray Expressway
— 44.4 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rosiclare, IL and Springfield, IL.
1
Start on Hopkinton Street
23 ft·0 sec·Hopkinton Street
2
Turn right onto IL 34
2.1 mi·3 min·IL 34
3
Turn left onto IL 34; IL 146
3.5 mi·4 min·IL 34; IL 146
4
Turn right onto IL 34
17 mi·24 min·IL 34
5
Continue on IL 34; IL 145
5.9 mi·9 min·IL 34; IL 145
6
At end of road, turn right onto US 45; IL 34
1.2 mi·1 min·South Commercial Street
7
Turn left onto IL 13; IL 34
0.6 mi·51 sec·IL 13; IL 34
8
Take the exit
174 ft·4 sec
9
Turn slight right onto IL 34
32 mi·47 min·North Main Street
10
Enter roundabout onto IL 14
408 ft·9 sec·West Main Street
11
Continue on IL 14
0.6 mi·55 sec·West Main Street
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
13
Merge onto I 57
24 mi·26 min·Ken Gray Expressway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
20 mi·22 min·Ken Gray Expressway
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
16
Merge onto US 50
2.4 mi·2 min·West Main Street
17
Continue on US 50
2.7 mi·3 min·East Poplar Street
18
Continue on US 50
2.7 mi·3 min·Poplar
19
Turn right onto US 51
10 mi·11 min·150E
20
Continue on US 51
13 mi·15 min·300E
21
Turn left onto US 40; US 51; IL 185
0.5 mi·35 sec·US 40; US 51; IL 185
22
Turn right onto US 40; US 51; IL 185
1.6 mi·1 min·North Kennedy Boulevard
23
Continue on US 51
11 mi·12 min·County Road 875 East
24
Continue on US 51
15 mi·17 min·South Superior Street
25
Continue on US 51
2.0 mi·2 min·County Road 2400 East
26
Continue on US 51
0.6 mi·2 min·Fair Avenue
27
Continue on US 51
0.3 mi·29 sec·South Poplar Street
28
Turn left onto IL 16
0.4 mi·1 min·West 2nd Street
29
Turn right onto South State Street
0.2 mi·52 sec·South State Street
30
Turn left onto IL 29
0.3 mi·45 sec·West Washington Street
31
Continue on IL 29
5.4 mi·7 min·N 2000 East Road
32
Continue on IL 29
5.1 mi·7 min·State Route 29
33
Continue on East Park Street
5.3 mi·7 min·East Park Street
34
Turn right onto IL 29
0.4 mi·32 sec·North Webster Street
35
Continue on IL 29
16 mi·18 min·West Springfield Road
Use the straight lane.
36
Continue on IL 29
1.3 mi·1 min·IL 29
Use the straight lane.
37
Continue on IL 29
5.4 mi·7 min·IL 29
Use the straight lane.
38
Continue on IL 29
1.1 mi·1 min·IL 29
Use the straight lane.
39
Turn straight onto IL 29
1.0 mi·2 min·IL 29
40
Turn left onto IL 97
1.8 mi·3 min·Clear Lake Avenue
Use the left lane.
41
Continue on IL 97
0.4 mi·1 min·East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
42
Turn left onto North 7th Street
406 ft·18 sec·North 7th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
43
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·East Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
44
Arrive at destination
East Washington Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 3 hour and 58-minute drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Aim to leave mid-morning to avoid early rush and allow for a leisurely pace with your single recommended stop. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $35 and local roads can sometimes have fewer services than major highways. A practical tip for this specific route: pay close attention to signage for Il 146, as it's a key artery for much of your journey, and deviations could easily add time.
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 107.2 miles from Rosiclare, IL, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.4 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 47 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.2 miles or 2h 23m 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 46m
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 Rosiclare, 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 Rosiclare, IL
This is one driving day of about 214.5 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Rosiclare, 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 Ken Gray Expressway for about 44.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
$10 to $20
mile 168.5
Pana, Illinois
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+12175623999
Post Oak Rest Area - Northbound
0 mi from route
Jack Flash
0 mi from route
Post Oak Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Rend Lake Rest Area (I57-SB)
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Rend Lake Rest Area - Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.5 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.6 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
2.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 61.9 and 214.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
61.9 mi into trip|~1h 33m in|IL 14 / West Main Street
Enter roundabout onto IL 14 / West Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
86.8 mi into trip|~2h 1m in|I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
5
107.3 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
6
214.2 mi into trip|~4h 40m in|North 7th Street
Turn left onto North 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
214.3 mi into trip|~4h 40m in|East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.53 one way
$67.07 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$36.82
$73.64
premium
$4.89
$41.28
$82.56
diesel
$5.61
$47.36
$94.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.4
0
$22.52
$10.30
Efficient EV
53.6
0
$18.77
$8.58
EV Truck/SUV
85.8
1
$30.03
$13.73
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Rosiclare, IL
Night
in Rosiclare on Saturday
Local time
11:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
NNW 10 mph55% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued April 18 at 1:29PM CDT until April 20 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued April 18 at 1:29PM CDT until April 20 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Springfield, IL
Night
in Springfield on Saturday
Local time
11:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Sunny
NW 16 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued April 18 at 1:29PM CDT until April 20 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued April 18 at 1:29PM CDT until April 20 at 9:00AM 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
13 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
4h 41m 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 turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 232.2-mile route, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating through towns and rural areas more directly, rather than on high-speed interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the profile suggests frequent changes in direction and speed. You'll be on roads like Il 146, South Commercial Street, and North Main Street, which are typical of local and state road travel, offering a grounded perspective on the Illinois landscape.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
44 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.4 mi on Ken Gray Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 61.9 miles in near IL 14 / West Main Street.
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 19 significant decision points across 214.5 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 61.9 miles (IL 14 / West Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 86.8 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 107.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Rosiclare, IL to Springfield, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Sandoval along the way.
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 41m. Total distance: 214.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 44.4 miles on Ken Gray Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 61.9 miles (IL 14 / West Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 86.8 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 107.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Springfield, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
