Saint Anne, IL to Springfield, IL is 159.5 miles and takes about 3h 4m via I-57 and I-72, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Illinois, making it a straightforward journey. Given its highway-focused profile and manageable duration, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion. You'll primarily be on interstates, offering a consistent driving experience. It's a practical option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without extensive detours.
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
79.8 miles from Saint Anne, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 72
78.3 mi
1h 24m
I 57
66.2 mi
1h 10m
County Highway 37
5.7 mi
10m
East 8000 South Road
2.5 mi
4m
Clear Lake Avenue
2.3 mi
4m
East 7750S Road
1.1 mi
2m
Chebanse Road
0.6 mi
1m
West Guertin Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 72
— 78.3 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Anne, IL and Springfield, IL.
1
Start on South Chicago Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·South Chicago Avenue
2
Turn right onto CH 23
0.5 mi·1 min·West Guertin Street
3
Continue on IL 1
0.4 mi·32 sec·E 7000S Road
4
Turn right onto CH 37
5.7 mi·10 min·County Highway 37
5
Continue on CH 37
1.1 mi·2 min·East 7750S Road
6
Turn left onto CH 37
0.3 mi·28 sec·South 1000 East Road
7
Turn right onto CH 37
2.5 mi·4 min·East 8000 South Road
8
Keep slight left at fork onto CH 37
0.6 mi·1 min·Chebanse Road
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 57 South: Champaign
10
Merge onto I 57
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 57
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 235BToward I 72 West: Decatur
12
Merge onto I 72
78 mi·1 hr 24 min·I 72
13
Continue on IL 97
2.3 mi·4 min·Clear Lake Avenue
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on IL 97
0.4 mi·1 min·East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn left onto North 7th Street
406 ft·18 sec·North 7th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·East Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Arrive at destination
East Washington Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over 3 hours and a fuel cost estimated at $25, this is a very manageable one-day trip. You can easily depart in the morning and arrive in Springfield with plenty of daylight to spare. The route involves only one recommended stop, so consider making it a substantial break point midway. Given the longest stretch is 78.3 miles, ensure you have adequate fuel before entering that segment of I-72. Since the drive is relatively short and highway-heavy, you have the flexibility to leave when it's most convenient for you, but an early start can help avoid any potential afternoon traffic.
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 79.8 miles from Saint Anne, IL, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.3 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 35 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.8 miles or 1h 35m 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 30m
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 Saint Anne, 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 Saint Anne, IL
This is one driving day of about 159.5 miles and 3h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Saint Anne, 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 72 for about 78.3 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 0.3 and 159.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|CH 23 / West Guertin Street
Turn right onto CH 23 / West Guertin Street
Navigation decision point
5
11.3 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the ramp toward I 57 South: Champaign
Navigation decision point
Toward I 57 South: Champaign
5
77.8 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 72 West: Decatur
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 235B
Toward I 72 West: Decatur
6
159.3 mi into trip|~3h 3m in|North 7th Street
Turn left onto North 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
159.4 mi into trip|~3h 3m in|East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.94 one way
$49.87 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$27.38
$54.76
premium
$4.89
$30.69
$61.39
diesel
$5.61
$35.22
$70.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.9
0
$16.75
$7.66
Efficient EV
39.9
0
$13.96
$6.38
EV Truck/SUV
63.8
0
$22.33
$10.21
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Saint Anne, IL
Morning
in Saint Anne on Tuesday
Local time
7:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Springfield, IL
Morning
in Springfield on Tuesday
Local time
7:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 14 to 17 mph98% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 17 at 6:06PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 17 at 6:01PM CDT until April 17 at 6:45PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA 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
5 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 4m 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?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 94% of the journey utilizing major interstates like I-57 and I-72. Expect a consistent pace for most of the trip, allowing for efficient travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 78.3 miles on I-72, so plan your breaks accordingly before embarking on this segment. While primarily interstate, the route does incorporate some county highway use, offering a slight variation in scenery and road type before rejoining the faster lanes. Overall, it’s a direct and predictable driving experience.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.3 mi on I 72.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 72 and I 57. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near CH 23 / West Guertin Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 159.5 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 0.3 miles (CH 23 / West Guertin Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 77.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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 4m. Total distance: 159.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.3 miles on I 72. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (CH 23 / West Guertin Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 77.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Springfield, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
