Springfield, IL to Merrionette Park, IL is 190.8 miles and takes about 3h 39m via I 55 and I 80, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving from one part of the Midwest to another. With 94% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward commute for the most part. It's a solid choice for a single-day excursion, especially if you're looking for efficiency over extensive sightseeing. Plan for about 152.4 miles on I 55, which will be the longest continuous stretch before you transition to other roads.
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
95.4 miles from Springfield, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
152.4 mi
2h 43m
I 80
24.8 mi
30m
Kedzie Avenue
5.8 mi
10m
I 57
2.5 mi
3m
Clear Lake Avenue
2.3 mi
4m
West 159th Street
0.6 mi
1m
East Washington Street
0.2 mi
<1m
North 12th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 152.4 mi, about 2h 43m
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 Merrionette 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
94 mi·1 hr 40 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 250AToward I 80 East: IndianaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 80
25 mi·30 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·50 sec
Exit 151BToward I 57 North, I 294 North: Chicago, WisconsinUse the slight left / straight lanes.
11
Merge onto I 57
2.5 mi·3 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 348A-BToward US 6: 159th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·40 sec
Exit 348AToward US 6 East: 159th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto US 6
0.6 mi·1 min·West 159th Street
15
Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue
5.8 mi·10 min·Kedzie Avenue
Use the left / uturn lanes.
16
Turn right
52 ft·5 sec
17
Turn left
33 ft·2 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 39m estimated duration, you can easily complete this drive in a single day. Leaving Springfield, IL in the morning will allow you to reach Merrionette Park, IL with plenty of daylight to spare. The longest stretch of highway is 152.4 miles on I 55, so consider a brief stop before or during that segment if you need to stretch your legs. With a fuel cost estimate around $30, it’s a budget-friendly trip. Keep an eye on your GPS as you approach Merrionette Park, as you'll be transitioning from highway to surface roads like Kedzie Avenue.
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 95.4 miles from Springfield, IL, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 152.4 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 42 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.4 miles or 1h 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 2h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Merrionette 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 190.8 miles and 3h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 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 152.4 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 32.2 and 184.1 — 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
155.4 mi into trip|~2h 50m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Indiana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 250A
Toward I 80 East: Indiana
8
180.9 mi into trip|~3h 22m in
Take the exit toward I 57 North, I 294 North: Chicago, Wisconsin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 151B
Toward I 57 North, I 294 North: Chicago, Wiscon...
8
184.1 mi into trip|~3h 26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 6 East: 159th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 348A
Toward US 6 East: 159th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.72 one way
$63.44 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$34.55
$69.11
premium
$5.18
$38.93
$77.87
diesel
$5.35
$40.19
$80.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.2
0
$20.03
$9.16
Efficient EV
47.7
0
$16.70
$7.63
EV Truck/SUV
76.3
0
$26.71
$12.21
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Forecast as of May 30, 2026
Origin
Springfield, IL
Afternoon
in Springfield on Wednesday
Local time
4:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Cloudy
ESE 3 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 29 at 9:16PM CDT until May 30 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 29 at 10:54AM CDT until May 31 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Merrionette Park, IL
Afternoon
in Merrionette Park on Wednesday
Local time
4:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Cloudy
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 29 at 9:16PM CDT until May 30 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 29 at 10:54AM CDT until May 31 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
65°F
Bloomington, IL
95 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
6 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
3h 39m 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
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 190.8
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 94% of the 190.8 miles spent on major interstates. You'll encounter a 152.4-mile segment on I 55, which represents the longest continuous stretch of highway driving. After this, you'll transition to other roads, including Kedzie Avenue, for the final part of the trip. Expect dense exits and merging traffic as you approach your destination.
94% 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: 152.4 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 80. 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 16 significant decision points across 190.8 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 155.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
803 ft535 ft
Total Climb
368 ft
Total Descent
346 ft
Highest Point
803 ft
~68.1 mi in
Elevation Range
267 ft
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 Merrionette Park, IL, road signs point toward Peoria and Wisconsin.
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 3h 39m. Total distance: 190.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 152.4 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 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 Merrionette 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. There are 23 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 155.4 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 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Merrionette Park, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
