Springfield, IL to Highwood, IL is 218.7 miles and takes about 4h 15m via I 55 and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Illinois, taking you through the heart of the Midwest. It's a straightforward trip primarily on major highways, making it a good option for a quick, efficient journey. If you're looking for a direct drive with minimal fuss, this one fits the bill. Plan for around 4 hours and 15 minutes of driving time.
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
109.4 miles from Springfield, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
179.3 mi
3h 17m
Tri-State Tollway
28.7 mi
35m
Deerfield Road
3.6 mi
6m
Clear Lake Avenue
2.3 mi
4m
Green Bay Road
1.1 mi
2m
Central Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
East Washington Street
0.2 mi
<1m
North 12th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 179.3 mi, about 3h 17m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,735 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,173
Quietest
2 AM
~169 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 49 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 Highwood, 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 14 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.6 mi·3 min
Exit 277AToward I 294 Tollway North: WisconsinUse the right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
10
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
24 mi·30 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 24Toward Deerfield RoadUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn straight onto Deerfield Road
3.6 mi·6 min·Deerfield Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on Central Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Central Avenue
15
Turn left onto Green Bay Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Green Bay Road
16
Turn left onto Prairie Avenue
232 ft·6 sec·Prairie Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
Prairie Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour, 15-minute drive, leaving Springfield in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and avoid potential rush hour congestion closer to your destination. With only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the end of the 179.3-mile stretch on I 55, and plan your refueling accordingly. The final portion on Deerfield Road will involve more local traffic and intersections, so be prepared for a change in pace.
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 109.4 miles from Springfield, IL, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 179.3 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 48 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.4 miles or 2h 2m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Highwood, 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 218.7 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 179.3 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 32.2 and 212.9 — 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
182.3 mi into trip|~3h 24m in
Take the exit toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
6
189 mi into trip|~3h 33m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
212.9 mi into trip|~4h 3m in
Take the exit toward Deerfield Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 24
Toward Deerfield Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.36 one way
$72.72 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$39.61
$79.21
premium
$5.18
$44.63
$89.25
diesel
$5.35
$46.06
$92.13
Estimated Tolls: $1.72
Tri-state Tollway
(28.7 mi)$1.72
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
$36
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.6
0
$22.96
$10.50
Efficient EV
54.7
0
$19.14
$8.75
EV Truck/SUV
87.5
1
$30.62
$14.00
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Springfield, IL
Afternoon
in Springfield on Wednesday
Local time
3:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 3 mph26% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued June 1 at 5:29AM CDT until June 1 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 5:10AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Highwood, IL
Afternoon
in Highwood on Wednesday
Local time
3:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Chance Rain Showers
N 5 mph46% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued June 1 at 5:29AM CDT until June 1 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 5:10AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
88°F
Kempton, IL
109 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
8 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 15m 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...
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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 181
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 82% of the 218.7 miles on major roads like I 55 and the Tri-State Tollway. You'll experience the longest stretch of continuous highway driving for 179.3 miles on I 55. The transition to surface roads begins around mile 179.3, where you'll navigate using Deerfield Road for the final leg into Highwood. Expect typical highway conditions with consistent traffic flow for most of the trip.
82% 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: 179.3 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 15 significant decision points across 218.7 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 182.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
813 ft560 ft
Total Climb
402 ft
Total Descent
330 ft
Highest Point
813 ft
~62.5 mi in
Elevation Range
253 ft
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 Highwood, 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.
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 4h 15m. Total distance: 218.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 179.3 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.72 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.
Yes — we found about 26 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 Highwood, 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 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 182.3 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 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Highwood, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
