This 238.7-mile drive from Springfield to Richmond, Illinois, is a solid day trip, taking about 4 hours and 33 minutes to complete. You'll be spending a good portion of your time on highways, with 82% of the route being on these faster roads, making it a highway-focused experience. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $37, which is quite manageable for a single day. Given its duration and the nature of the drive through the Midwest, it's well-suited for a one-day excursion without needing an overnight stay. You'll find the drive straightforward, primarily utilizing US 51 and I-55 for most of the way.
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
119.3 miles from Springfield, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 51
120.7 mi
2h 9m
I 55
66.1 mi
1h 11m
East Diggins Street
17.3 mi
24m
West Grove Street
12.4 mi
17m
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
7.3 mi
7m
State Route 173
5.6 mi
7m
I 39
3.9 mi
4m
Clear Lake Avenue
2.3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
US 51
— 120.7 mi, about 2h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield, IL and Richmond, 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
7.6 mi·8 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
8
Take the exit onto US 51
121 mi·2 hr 9 min·US 51
Exit 164Toward I 39 North: RockfordUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 39; US 20; US 51
2.2 mi·2 min·I 39; US 20; US 51
10
Continue on I 39; US 51
1.7 mi·1 min·I 39; US 51
11
Merge onto I 39; I 90; US 51
7.3 mi·7 min·Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward IL 173: West Lane Road
13
Turn right onto IL 173
1.3 mi·1 min·West Lane Road
14
Continue on IL 173
5.6 mi·7 min·State Route 173
15
Continue on IL 173
12 mi·17 min·West Grove Street
16
Turn left onto US 14; IL 173
0.5 mi·49 sec·South Division Street
17
Turn right onto IL 173
17 mi·24 min·East Diggins Street
18
Turn right onto US 12
0.3 mi·23 sec·North Main Street
19
Turn left onto Broadway Street
46 ft·2 sec·Broadway Street
20
Arrive at destination
Broadway Street
Trip Plan
For this 238.7-mile trip, leaving Springfield in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid heavier traffic. Since it's a manageable 4-hour and 33-minute drive with only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 120.7 miles on US 51, as services can be spaced out on major highways. This route is designed for efficiency, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly to ensure a smooth 4.5-hour journey.
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 119.3 miles from Springfield, IL, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 120.7 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 53 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.3 miles or 2h 11m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richmond, 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 238.7 miles and 4h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 120.7 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 238.7 — 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
5
238.7 mi into trip|~4h 33m in|Broadway Street
Turn left onto Broadway Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.32 one way
$74.64 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$40.97
$81.95
premium
$4.89
$45.94
$91.87
diesel
$5.61
$52.70
$105.40
Estimated Tolls: $0.51
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(7.3 mi)$0.51
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
$37
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.6
0
$25.06
$11.46
Efficient EV
59.7
0
$20.89
$9.55
EV Truck/SUV
95.5
1
$33.42
$15.28
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Springfield, IL
Night
in Springfield on Saturday
Local time
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 16 mph98% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Richmond, IL
Night
in Richmond on Saturday
Local time
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 to 20 mph100% chanceLive forecast
74°F
El Paso, IL
119 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
5 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 33m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a primarily highway-focused drive for the majority of this 238.7-mile journey. With 82% of the route on highways, you'll experience long stretches designed for steady travel. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll encounter is 120.7 miles on US 51, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. While the specific roads like East Diggins Street are part of the initial or final segments, the bulk of your time will be on the faster, more direct routes of US 51 and I-55, which generally provide a consistent driving experience throughout your 4-hour-plus trip.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 120.7 mi on US 51.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 51 and I 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near North 12th Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 238.7 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 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.
On the drive from Springfield, IL to Richmond, 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 4h 33m. Total distance: 238.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 33m 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 120.7 miles on US 51. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.51 in tolls one way, starting with Jane Addams Memorial 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 Richmond, 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 — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Richmond, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
