Origin
Springfield, IL
Morning in Springfield on Tuesday
Local time
8:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Springfield, IL to Mendota, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 42m
Distance
145.7 mi
235 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 32m
★
6 AM
2h 42m
8 AM
3h 4m
10 AM
2h 50m
12 PM
2h 48m
3 PM
2h 51m
5 PM
3h 3m
8 PM
2h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Springfield, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Mendota, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Springfield, IL to Mendota, IL is 145.7 miles and takes about 2h 42m via US 51 and I-55, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, crossing Illinois entirely. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on major highways, making it a practical choice for a quick transit between these two points. You'll find it's a route that prioritizes efficiency over extensive sightseeing, ideal for when you just need to get from point A to point B.
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
72.9 miles from Springfield, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 51 | 72.8 mi | 1h 18m |
| I 55 | 66.1 mi | 1h 11m |
| North 43rd Road | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Clear Lake Avenue | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| 6th Avenue | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| East 12th Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East Washington Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North 12th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 51
— 72.8 mi, about 1h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield, IL and Mendota, 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: Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
8
Take the exit onto US 51
73 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
US 51
Exit 164
Toward I 39 North: Rockford
Use the slight right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 72
Toward US 34: Mendota, Earlville
10
Turn left onto US 34
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
North 43rd Road
11
Continue on US 34
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
·
East 12th Street
12
Continue on US 34
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
·
6th Avenue
13
Turn right onto US 34
403 ft
·
12 sec
·
6th Street
14
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
124 ft
·
5 sec
·
7th Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
7th Avenue
Trip Plan
Consider leaving Springfield in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed arrival in Mendota. With a driving time under 3 hours, this is easily a same-day trip, so you have flexibility in your departure time. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 72 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you embark on that segment. Since the fuel cost is estimated at $23, it's a budget-friendly drive. Keep an eye out for the shift from highway to local roads as you get closer to Mendota for a smooth transition.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.9 miles from Springfield, IL, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.8 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 32 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.9 miles or 1h 21m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mendota, 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 145.7 miles and 2h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 US 51 for about 72.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
73 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 72.9 miles from Springfield, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 51 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.8 miles.
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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 141.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
6
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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
69.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
|
US 51
Take the exit onto US 51 toward I 39 North: Rockford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 164
Toward I 39 North: Rockford
6
141.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m in
Take the exit toward US 34: Mendota, Earlville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 72
Toward US 34: Mendota, Earlville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.78 one way
$45.56 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $25.01 | $50.02 |
| premium | $4.89 | $28.04 | $56.08 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.17 | $64.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.7 | 0 | $15.30 | $6.99 |
| Efficient EV | 36.4 | 0 | $12.75 | $5.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58.3 | 0 | $20.40 | $9.32 |
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Mendota, IL
Morning in Mendota on Tuesday
Local time
8:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Bloomington, IL
73 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
2h 42m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 95% of the total distance on major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 72.8 miles on US 51, offering a consistent cruising experience. The transition to surface roads will occur as you approach Mendota, with North 43rd Road marking the final segment. Expect relatively few complex intersections for most of the drive, allowing for steady progress.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.8 mi on US 51.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 51 and I 55. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near North 12th Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 145.7 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.2 miles (North 12th Street): Navigation decision point; 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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Mendota, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Peoria
61.5 mi in
|
~1h 9m
|
via I 55
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 Mendota, IL
Full guide →Founded 1855
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 2h 42m. Total distance: 145.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.8 miles on US 51. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Mendota, 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 0.2 miles (North 12th Street): Navigation decision point; 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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Mendota, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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