Traveling from Springfield to Evergreen Park covers a distance of 194.7 miles, typically taking about 3 hours and 44 minutes to complete. Because this journey stays entirely within the Midwest, you can easily manage the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $30 on fuel for the trek, making it a budget-friendly option for a weekend getaway or a quick trip to the Chicago suburbs. You will start by navigating local streets like North 12th Street and Clear Lake Avenue before transitioning onto the interstate. Whether you are heading north for business or a visit, this route offers a straightforward path that balances local navigation with efficient highway travel.
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
97.4 miles from Springfield, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
180 mi
3h 18m
Tri-State Tollway
4.2 mi
5m
West 95th Street
4 mi
8m
Clear Lake Avenue
2.3 mi
4m
West 93rd Street
1.2 mi
1m
Mile-Long Bridge
0.9 mi
1m
Southwest Highway
0.3 mi
<1m
South Cicero Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 180 mi, about 3h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield, IL and Evergreen Park, 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
121 mi·2 hr 15 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 277BToward I 294 South: IndianaUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 294
0.8 mi·57 sec·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 294
0.9 mi·1 min·Mile-Long Bridge
11
Continue on I 294
3.4 mi·4 min·Tri-State Tollway
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 17AToward US 12 East, US 20 East: 95th Street, 76th AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward US 12, US 20 East: 95th StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto US 12; US 20
2.0 mi·4 min·West 95th Street
15
Turn left onto Southwest Highway
0.3 mi·30 sec·Southwest Highway
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on West 93rd Street
1.2 mi·1 min·West 93rd Street
17
Turn right onto IL 50
0.3 mi·33 sec·South Cicero Avenue
18
Turn left onto US 12; US 20
2.0 mi·3 min·West 95th Street
19
Arrive at destination
US 12; US 20
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3 hours and 44 minutes on the road, try to time your departure to avoid peak local traffic, especially as you approach Evergreen Park. Plan for at least one stop during your 194.7-mile trek to stretch your legs and refresh your focus. Since this is a turn-heavy drive, keep your GPS handy and double-check your navigation before leaving Springfield to ensure you stay on track through the city streets. With a fuel budget of $30, it is helpful to fill up your tank before you leave to avoid searching for stations in unfamiliar areas. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, as the manageable duration allows you to adjust your pace based on the day's traffic conditions.
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 97.4 miles from Springfield, IL, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 180 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 43 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.4 miles or 1h 49m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Evergreen Park, 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 194.7 miles and 3h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Springfield, 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 55 for about 180 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 32.2 and 188.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
7
183 mi into trip|~3h 24m in
Take the exit toward I 294 South: Indiana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 277B
Toward I 294 South: Indiana
8
188.6 mi into trip|~3h 32m in
Take the exit toward US 12 East, US 20 East: 95th Street, 76th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 17A
Toward US 12 East, US 20 East: 95th Street, 76t...
9
188.8 mi into trip|~3h 32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 12, US 20 East: 95th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 12, US 20 East: 95th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.44 one way
$60.88 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$33.42
$66.84
premium
$4.89
$37.47
$74.94
diesel
$5.61
$42.99
$85.97
Estimated Tolls: $0.25
Tri-state Tollway
(4.2 mi)$0.25
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
$30
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.4
0
$20.44
$9.35
Efficient EV
48.7
0
$17.04
$7.79
EV Truck/SUV
77.9
0
$27.26
$12.46
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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 18, 2026
Origin
Springfield, IL
Late night
in Springfield on Sunday
Local time
2:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 16 mph98% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Evergreen Park, IL
Late night
in Evergreen Park on Sunday
Local time
2:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 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 44m 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...
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 194.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is defined as a turn-heavy local drive, requiring your full attention as you transition off the interstate system. You will spend the majority of your time navigating local roads, as the route lacks a high percentage of highway driving. Rather than a monotonous interstate grind, you should prepare for a more engaging experience behind the wheel that demands active steering. The road profile changes significantly from the initial local streets in Springfield to the final approach in Evergreen Park. Navigating these varied road types keeps the drive interesting, though it does mean you should account for slower speeds in the more urbanized sections of the trip.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 180 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 32.2 miles in near I 55.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 194.7 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 32.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 183 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Springfield, IL to Evergreen Park, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria 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 3h 44m. Total distance: 194.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 180 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.25 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state 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.
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.
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 Evergreen Park, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 32.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 183 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Evergreen Park, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
