Origin
Springfield, IL
Night in Springfield on Saturday
Local time
9:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Springfield, IL to Bedford, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 6, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 45m
Distance
77 mi
124 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 38m
★
6 AM
1h 46m
8 AM
2h 1m
10 AM
1h 51m
12 PM
1h 50m
3 PM
1h 52m
5 PM
2h 1m
8 PM
1h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Springfield, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Bedford, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Springfield, IL to Bedford, IL is 77 miles and takes about 1h 45m via I 72 and IL 100, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Illinois and the Midwest, offering a straightforward drive. With 90% of the trip on highways, it's a quick connection between these two points. Consider this if you need an efficient way to cover this distance without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.5 miles from Springfield, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 72 | 50.9 mi | 54m |
| IL 100 | 9.6 mi | 14m |
| Illinois Route 100 | 7.8 mi | 11m |
| South 11th Street | 3 mi | 6m |
| 865 North | 1.5 mi | 5m |
| Road 4000 East | 1 mi | 3m |
| 874 North | 0.8 mi | 3m |
| I 55 Business | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 72
— 50.9 mi, about 54m
Traffic on I-72
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~689 veh/hr typical · worst 882
Quietest
2 AM
~45 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 95 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 Springfield, IL and Bedford, IL.
1
Start on East Washington Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
East Washington Street
2
Turn right onto South 11th Street
3.0 mi
·
6 min
·
South 11th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn slight right
411 ft
·
20 sec
4
Turn straight onto East Stevenson Drive
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
East Stevenson Drive
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn slight left onto I 55 Business
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 55 Business
6
Take the ramp onto I 55 Business
354 ft
·
6 sec
·
I 55 Business
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 72 West: Jacksonville
8
Merge onto I 72; US 36
51 mi
·
54 min
·
I 72; US 36
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward IL 100: Bluffs, Detroit
10
Turn left
88 ft
·
2 sec
11
Turn left onto IL 100
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
IL 100
12
At end of road, turn right onto IL 100; IL 106
5.6 mi
·
8 min
·
IL 100; IL 106
13
Turn left onto IL 100
7.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Illinois Route 100
14
Turn left onto 865 North
1.5 mi
·
5 min
·
865 North
15
Continue on 874 North
0.8 mi
·
3 min
·
874 North
16
Continue on Road 4000 East
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Road 4000 East
17
Continue on Road 886 North
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Road 886 North
18
Arrive at destination
Bedford Road
Trip Plan
Given the 1h 45m duration, this trip is easily completed in a single day. Leaving Springfield in the morning allows for a relaxed pace, and with no designated stops, you have flexibility. The estimated fuel cost of $12 suggests keeping your tank topped up, especially before you hit the 50.9-mile stretch on I 72. Pay attention to the transition from I 72 to IL 100 as you approach Bedford.
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 38.5 miles from Springfield, IL, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.9 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 17 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.5 miles or 46m 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 Bedford, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Springfield, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Springfield, IL
This is one driving day of about 77 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Springfield, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 72 for about 50.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 38.5 miles from Springfield, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 60 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South 11th Street
Turn right onto South 11th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
4.4 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 72 West: Jacksonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 72 West: Jacksonville
5
55.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward IL 100: Bluffs, Detroit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IL 100: Bluffs, Detroit
4
55.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
4
60 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
IL 100; IL 106
At end of road, turn right onto IL 100; IL 106
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.94 one way
$23.88 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $13.09 | $26.18 |
| premium | $4.93 | $14.94 | $29.88 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $16.97 | $33.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.1 | 0 | $8.09 | $3.70 |
| Efficient EV | 19.3 | 0 | $6.74 | $3.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.8 | 0 | $10.78 | $4.93 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Destination
Bedford, IL
Night in Bedford on Saturday
Local time
9:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
65°F
Jacksonville, IL
39 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
24 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
1h 45m 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...
0 mi from route
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 primarily highway, with 90% of the 77 miles on high-speed roads like I 72. You'll experience a longest stretch of 50.9 miles on I 72 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect consistent cruising for most of the trip, with a noticeable shift when you leave the interstate for IL 100.
90% 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: 50.9 mi on I 72.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 72 and IL 100. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near South 11th Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 45m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (South 11th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 55.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
659 ft
425 ft
Total Climb
319 ft
Total Descent
487 ft
Highest Point
659 ft
~71.5 mi in
Elevation Range
234 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Springfield, IL to Bedford, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Detroit along the way.
Detroit
55.6 mi in
|
~1h 5m
About the Cities
Starting 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
Arriving in Bedford, IL
Full guide →Founded 1821
Top landmarks
- • New Philadelphia National Historic Site — place in Illinois on the National Register of Historic Places
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 1h 45m. Total distance: 77 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50.9 miles on I 72. 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 0.2 miles (South 11th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 55.6 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bedford, IL before heading back.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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