This 115.5-mile drive from Springfield, IL to Chatsworth, IL takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes, making it a perfect one-day road trip within the Midwest. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with 77% of the journey on major roads, so you'll spend most of your time on I-55. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, it's an economical option for a quick getaway. There are no planned stops, so you can plan your breaks as needed. This trip is straightforward and efficient for those looking to cover distance without extensive detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.8 miles from Springfield, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
88.7 mi
1h 35m
East 3100 North Road
6.4 mi
8m
East 800 North Road
5 mi
6m
East 825 North Road
2.7 mi
3m
Clear Lake Avenue
2.3 mi
4m
West Oak Street
2.1 mi
4m
East 830 North Road
2 mi
2m
East 820 North Road
1.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 88.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield, IL and Chatsworth, IL.
1
Start on East Washington Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·East Washington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Turn left onto North 12th Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·North 12th Street
3
Turn straight onto IL 97
2.3 mi·4 min·Clear Lake Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·52 sec
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
5
Merge onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
30 mi·32 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward US 24: Chenoa, El Paso
9
Turn right onto US 24
1.5 mi·3 min·West Cemetery Avenue
10
Continue on US 24
6.4 mi·8 min·East 3100 North Road
11
Continue on US 24
2.4 mi·3 min·East 800 North Road
12
Continue on US 24
2.1 mi·4 min·West Oak Street
13
Continue on US 24
2.6 mi·3 min·East 800 North Road
14
Continue on US 24
1.7 mi·2 min·East 820 North Road
15
Continue on US 24
0.7 mi·1 min·West Wabash Street
16
Continue on US 24
2.7 mi·3 min·East 825 North Road
17
Continue on US 24
2.0 mi·2 min·East 830 North Road
18
Continue on US 24
0.3 mi·24 sec·East 800 N Road
19
Turn left onto West Walnut Street
1.0 mi·2 min·West Walnut Street
20
Turn left onto 4th Street
274 ft·12 sec·4th Street
21
Arrive at destination
4th Street
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2-hour and 20-minute duration for this 115.5-mile trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Since there are no designated stops, consider planning your own fuel and rest breaks around the 88.7-mile stretch on I-55 to ensure comfort. The estimated fuel cost is around $18, so check your tank before you leave Springfield. Keep an eye on the road signs for transitions between I-55 and the local roads like East 3100 North Road and East 800 North Road to stay on track for Chatsworth.
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 57.8 miles from Springfield, IL, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.7 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 25 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.8 miles or 1h 5m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chatsworth, 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.
+
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 Springfield, IL
This is one driving day of about 115.5 miles and 2h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Springfield, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 88.7 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 and 91.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|East Washington Street
Depart onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|North 12th Street
Turn left onto North 12th Street
Navigation decision point
7
32.2 mi into trip|~38m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
61.5 mi into trip|~1h 9m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
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 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
5
91.7 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward US 24: Chenoa, El Paso
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 24: Chenoa, El Paso
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.06 one way
$36.11 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$19.83
$39.65
premium
$4.89
$22.23
$44.45
diesel
$5.61
$25.50
$51.00
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.7
0
$12.13
$5.54
Efficient EV
28.9
0
$10.11
$4.62
EV Truck/SUV
46.2
0
$16.17
$7.39
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (65% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Springfield, IL
Morning
in Springfield on Tuesday
Local time
8:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chatsworth, IL
Morning
in Chatsworth on Tuesday
Local time
8:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Danvers, IL
58 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
4 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
2h 20m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 115.5-mile journey. With 77% of the drive on interstates and major roads, you'll encounter stretches designed for consistent speed. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll navigate is 88.7 miles on I-55, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. While the primary roads are I-55, East 3100 North Road, and East 800 North Road, the character remains largely that of efficient travel, minimizing complexity and maximizing forward progress. This is a route built for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 88.7 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and East 3100 North Road. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Washington 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 115.5 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: near the start (East Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (North 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 32.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Springfield, IL and Chatsworth, IL, road signs point toward Peoria and El Paso.
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 2h 20m. Total distance: 115.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 88.7 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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: near the start (East Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (North 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 32.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Chatsworth, IL before heading back.
