Springfield, IL to Savanna, IL is 205.9 miles and takes about 4h 5m via I-74 and IL-84, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Illinois, traversing the heart of the Midwest. It's a straightforward route, mostly on interstate highways, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a direct and uncomplicated drive. With its manageable distance and duration, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion.
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
102.9 miles from Springfield, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 74
73.4 mi
1h 18m
IL 84
41.2 mi
1h 1m
I 155
32 mi
34m
I 55
29.2 mi
31m
I 474
14 mi
14m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
9.3 mi
9m
Clear Lake Avenue
2.3 mi
4m
Chicago Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 74
— 73.4 mi, about 1h 18m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,989 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,473
Quietest
2 AM
~178 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.2×
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 Savanna, 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 left at fork onto I 155
32 mi·34 min·I 155
Exit 127Toward I 155 North: Peoria, Hartsburg
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
8
Merge onto I 74
1.0 mi·1 min·I 74
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 474
14 mi·14 min·I 474
Exit 99Toward I 474 West: Moline, Rock Island
10
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
11
Merge onto I 74
72 mi·1 hr 17 min·I 74
12
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 110
9.3 mi·9 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Toward I 80 West: Des Moines
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 1Toward IL 84: East Moline, Savanna
14
Keep slight right at fork
158 ft·3 sec
15
Turn right onto IL 84
41 mi·1 hr 1 min·IL 84
16
At end of road, turn left onto US 52; IL 64; IL 84
1.1 mi·2 min·Chicago Avenue
17
Continue on US 52; IL 64; IL 84
0.3 mi·43 sec·Main Street
18
Arrive at destination
US 52; IL 64; IL 84
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour drive time, departing in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Savanna. You'll only have one recommended stop, so plan to refuel before you leave Springfield, as the $33 fuel estimate suggests a fairly efficient trip. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 73 miles on I-74, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge before embarking on that segment. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility; however, consider the potential for increased traffic if you depart during peak commuter hours.
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 102.9 miles from Springfield, IL, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.4 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 45 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.9 miles or 1h 55m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Savanna, 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 205.9 miles and 4h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 74 for about 73.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Final third
3.9 mi from route
~10 min detour
$10 to $20
Hampton, Illinois
Hours: 10 am–1 pm
+13097553077
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 162.7 — 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 155
Keep slight left at fork onto I 155 toward I 155 North: Peoria, Hartsburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 127
Toward I 155 North: Peoria, Hartsburg
5
64.1 mi into trip|~1h 12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 74 West: Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
7
66 mi into trip|~1h 15m in|I 474
Keep slight left at fork onto I 474 toward I 474 West: Moline, Rock Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 99
Toward I 474 West: Moline, Rock Island
6
162.7 mi into trip|~2h 59m in
Take the exit toward IL 84: East Moline, Savanna
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 1
Toward IL 84: East Moline, Savanna
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.35 one way
$68.69 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$37.48
$74.95
premium
$5.25
$42.58
$85.16
diesel
$6.28
$50.88
$101.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.8
0
$21.62
$9.88
Efficient EV
51.5
0
$18.02
$8.24
EV Truck/SUV
82.4
1
$28.83
$13.18
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Springfield, IL
Morning
in Springfield on Thursday
Local time
6:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
SSE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Savanna, IL
Morning
in Savanna on Thursday
Local time
6:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
62°F
Wyoming, IL
103 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
32 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 5m 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?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 97% of the trip on interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 73.4 miles on I-74, offering consistent cruising. The remaining portion will transition to surface roads, specifically IL-84, as you approach your destination. Expect to encounter numerous exits and potential merging traffic as you navigate these different road types.
97% 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: 73.4 mi on I 74.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 74 and IL 84. 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 205.9 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 155): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
807 ft475 ft
Total Climb
462 ft
Total Descent
465 ft
Highest Point
807 ft
~147.1 mi in
Elevation Range
332 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 Savanna, IL, road signs point toward Hartsburg and Rock Island.
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 4h 5m. Total distance: 205.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.4 miles on I 74. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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 Savanna, 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (North 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 32.2 miles (I 155): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Savanna, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
