Springfield, IL to Riverdale, IL is 189.6 miles and takes about 3h 37m via I 55, I 80, and I 57, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving you from the Midwest region to the same region, and is almost entirely highway driving. Given the relatively short duration and straightforward path, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion. You'll be on major interstates for the vast majority of the drive, making it a practical choice for a quick transit between these two points.
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
94.8 miles from Springfield, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
152.4 mi
2h 43m
I 80
24.8 mi
30m
I 57
3.7 mi
5m
Clear Lake Avenue
2.3 mi
4m
West 147th Street
1.9 mi
3m
Halsted Street
0.7 mi
1m
West 144th Street
0.4 mi
1m
East Washington 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 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,755 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,214
Quietest
2 AM
~170 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 94 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 Riverdale, 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
3.7 mi·5 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 349-350Toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, WisconsinUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 350Toward IL 83: 147th Street, Sibley BoulevardUse the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 350Toward IL 83: 147th Street, Sibley BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
184 ft·4 sec
Toward Dixmoor, HarveyUse the right lane.
16
Turn straight onto IL 83
1.9 mi·3 min·West 147th Street
17
Turn left onto IL 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Halsted Street
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto West 144th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West 144th Street
19
Arrive at destination
West 144th Street
Trip Plan
For this 3h 37m drive, leaving Springfield, IL in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $30, this route is easily manageable in a single day. You can afford to be flexible with your departure time, but keep traffic in mind as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area near Riverdale, IL. The majority of the drive is on I 55, so monitor your fuel levels before entering that primary segment to ensure you have enough to reach your destination comfortably.
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 94.8 miles from Springfield, IL, or about 1h 45m 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 94.8 miles or 1h 45m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Riverdale, 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 189.6 miles and 3h 37m.
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 61.5 and 186.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
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...
9
185.4 mi into trip|~3h 28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 83: 147th Street, Sibley Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 350
Toward IL 83: 147th Street, Sibley Boulevard
9
186.2 mi into trip|~3h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward IL 83: 147th Street, Sibley Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 350
Toward IL 83: 147th Street, Sibley Boulevard
9
186.4 mi into trip|~3h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Dixmoor, Harvey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward Dixmoor, Harvey
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.40 one way
$58.79 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$32.23
$64.46
premium
$4.93
$36.79
$73.57
diesel
$5.60
$41.79
$83.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.9
0
$19.91
$9.10
Efficient EV
47.4
0
$16.59
$7.58
EV Truck/SUV
75.8
0
$26.54
$12.13
Gas CO2
66 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 Aug 27, 2026
Origin
Springfield, IL
Late night
in Springfield on Saturday
Local time
5:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
NNW 3 to 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 26 at 8:32PM CDT until August 29 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 26 at 8:32PM CDT until August 31 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Riverdale, IL
Late night
in Riverdale on Saturday
Local time
5:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
N 5 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 26 at 8:32PM CDT until August 29 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 26 at 8:32PM CDT until August 31 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
64°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
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 37m 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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 189.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to spend about 95% of your 189.6-mile trip on interstates. The longest continuous stretch of highway driving is a significant 152.4 miles, primarily on I 55. You'll experience mostly highway cruising, with a dense network of exits and merges as you navigate between I 55, I 80, and I 57. The transition to surface roads will occur only in the final miles of your trip.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 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 61.5 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 189.6 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 61.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 180.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
796 ft523 ft
Total Climb
408 ft
Total Descent
409 ft
Highest Point
796 ft
~67.7 mi in
Elevation Range
273 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 Riverdale, 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 3h 37m. Total distance: 189.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 37m 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 152.4 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Riverdale, 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 61.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 180.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 3.6 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 Riverdale, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
