Rail Splitter Rest Area - Northbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Springfield, IL to River Grove, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 50m
Distance
198.7 mi
320 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 38m
★
6 AM
3h 51m
8 AM
4h 16m
10 AM
4h 0m
12 PM
3h 57m
3 PM
4h 1m
5 PM
4h 15m
8 PM
3h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Springfield, IL
Wikimedia Commons
River Grove, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Springfield, IL to River Grove, IL is 198.7 miles and takes about 3h 50m via I 55 and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, entirely within Illinois, and is almost entirely on major highways. Most of the driving will be on I 55, a familiar interstate for many, before transitioning to the Tri-State Tollway. Given the relatively short duration and high highway percentage, this is a straightforward drive, ideal for a single-day trip where you want to get to your destination efficiently.
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
99.3 miles from Springfield, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 179.3 mi | 3h 17m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 6.1 mi | 7m |
| South 1st Avenue | 3.8 mi | 8m |
| Eisenhower Expressway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Clear Lake Avenue | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | 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
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 River Grove, 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
121 mi
·
2 hr 14 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.6 mi
·
3 min
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Use 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
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto I 294
321 ft
·
7 sec
·
Tri-State Tollway
Exit 31
Toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 290 East: Chicago
14
Continue on this road
524 ft
·
12 sec
·
this road
15
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
0.6 mi
·
49 sec
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
16
Merge onto I 290; IL 110
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Eisenhower Expressway
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 20
Toward IL 171: 1st Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn slight left onto Bataan Drive
381 ft
·
17 sec
·
Bataan Drive
19
Turn left onto IL 171
3.8 mi
·
8 min
·
South 1st Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
20
Arrive at destination
IL 171
Trip Plan
For this 3h 50m drive, consider an early morning departure from Springfield to avoid any potential rush hour congestion as you near River Grove. Since the route is only 198.7 miles and primarily highway, you won't need to break it up, but you'll want to be aware of toll plazas on the Tri-State Tollway. Plan for your fuel stop before you get too deep into the tollway system, as gas prices can sometimes be higher in those areas. The estimated fuel cost is around $35, so keep that in mind when budgeting for the trip.
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 99.3 miles from Springfield, IL, or about 1h 51m 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 44 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.3 miles or 1h 51m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near River Grove, 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 198.7 miles and 3h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
99 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 99.3 miles from Springfield, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 179.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Hinsdale Oasis
0 mi from route
Rail Splitter Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Dixie Trucker's Home
0.1 mi from route
Funks Grove Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Limestone Rest Area (Southbound)
0.1 mi from route
Limestone Rest Area (Northbound)
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Greater Chicago Truck Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.5 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.2 mi from route
AF Truck Center
2.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 32.2 and 194.7 — 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
8
190.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 35m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Take the exit onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago
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 31
Toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Roc...
7
194.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 41m in
Take the exit toward IL 171: 1st Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 20
Toward IL 171: 1st Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.04 one way
$66.07 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $35.99 | $71.97 |
| premium | $5.18 | $40.55 | $81.09 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $41.85 | $83.70 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.40
Tri-state Tollway
(6.1 mi)
$0.36
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(0.6 mi)
$0.04
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
$33
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.6 | 0 | $20.86 | $9.54 |
| Efficient EV | 49.7 | 0 | $17.39 | $7.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.5 | 0 | $27.82 | $12.72 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Origin
Springfield, IL
Afternoon in Springfield on Wednesday
Local time
3:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 3 mph
26% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 5:49AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued June 1 at 5:44AM CDT until June 1 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
River Grove, IL
Afternoon in River Grove on Wednesday
Local time
3:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Chance Rain Showers
N 5 mph
21% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 5:49AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued June 1 at 5:44AM CDT until June 1 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
66°F
Empire, IL
99 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
3h 50m 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...
0 mi from route
Free
View on nps.gov
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 185
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 92% of the 198.7 miles on interstates and tollways. You'll experience a long stretch of 179.3 miles on I 55 before reaching the Tri-State Tollway and then South 1st Avenue. Expect a high volume of exits and traffic merging as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area on the Tri-State Tollway. The transition from the open interstate to the tollway signifies the shift towards more urban driving conditions.
92% 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: 179.3 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 Effort
10/10
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 17 significant decision points across 198.7 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
892 ft
557 ft
Total Climb
492 ft
Total Descent
464 ft
Highest Point
892 ft
~71 mi in
Elevation Range
335 ft
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 River Grove, 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 River Grove, IL
Full guide →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 3h 50m. Total distance: 198.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 50m 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 179.3 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.40 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 River Grove, 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 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at River Grove, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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