Springfield, IL to Third Lake, IL is 226 miles and takes about 4 hours 30 minutes via I 55 and Veterans Memorial Tollway, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, connecting two points in the Midwest region. The route is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward connection between the two cities. It's a practical option if you need to get from central Illinois up to the northern part of the state efficiently. Plan for about 4.5 hours of travel time, not including any stops you might make.
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
113 miles from Springfield, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
171 mi
3h 6m
Veterans Memorial Tollway
19.2 mi
24m
South Lake Street
8.8 mi
15m
IL 53
7.2 mi
9m
I 290
5.6 mi
6m
North Arlington Heights Road
2.4 mi
4m
State Highway 83
2.3 mi
3m
Clear Lake Avenue
2.3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 171 mi, about 3h 6m
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 Third Lake, 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
112 mi·2 hr 3 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 269Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest SuburbsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 355 North: Northwest Suburbs
10
Merge onto I 355
19 mi·24 min·Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 290
5.6 mi·6 min·I 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
6.9 mi·9 min·IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto IL 53
0.3 mi·44 sec·IL 53
Toward IL 53, IL 68: Dundee RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto IL 68
0.9 mi·2 min·West Dundee Road
15
Turn left onto North Arlington Heights Road
2.4 mi·4 min·North Arlington Heights Road
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto IL 83
0.3 mi·31 sec·McHenry Road
17
Continue on IL 83
2.3 mi·3 min·State Highway 83
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on IL 83
0.5 mi·47 sec·Mundelein Road
19
Continue on IL 83
0.7 mi·1 min·IL RT 83
20
Continue on IL 83
0.4 mi·32 sec·IL Rt 83
21
Continue on IL 83
0.4 mi·33 sec·Mundelein Road
22
Continue on US 45
8.8 mi·15 min·South Lake Street
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on US 45
1.1 mi·2 min·US 45
Use the left lane.
24
Turn left onto North Grant Avenue
245 ft·12 sec·North Grant Avenue
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto Sunshine Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Sunshine Avenue
26
Turn left onto South Lake Avenue
39 ft·1 sec·South Lake Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
South Lake Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour 30 minute drive time, leaving Springfield in the morning should get you to Third Lake by early afternoon, leaving plenty of time to settle in. While the drive is manageable in one day, you could break it up if you prefer a more leisurely pace, though the data suggests it's not necessary. Keep an eye on your fuel; while the estimated cost is $36, it's always wise to top off before heading out. The transition from I 55 to the tollway and then to South Lake Street will require your attention as you navigate the suburban Chicago area.
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 113 miles from Springfield, IL, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 171 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 50 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113 miles or 2h 6m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Third Lake, 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 226 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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 171 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 32.2 and 207.4 — 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
8
174 mi into trip|~3h 12m in
Take the exit toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs
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 269
Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest...
6
200.5 mi into trip|~3h 47m in|IL 53
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
207.4 mi into trip|~3h 56m in|IL 53
Take the exit onto IL 53 toward IL 53, IL 68: Dundee Road
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.
Toward IL 53, IL 68: Dundee Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.70 one way
$75.40 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$40.97
$81.95
premium
$5.26
$46.79
$93.59
diesel
$6.18
$54.98
$109.96
Estimated Tolls: $1.35
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(19.2 mi)$1.35
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
$38
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.8
0
$23.73
$10.85
Efficient EV
56.5
0
$19.78
$9.04
EV Truck/SUV
90.4
1
$31.64
$14.46
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Springfield, IL
Morning
in Springfield on Monday
Local time
7:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
S 5 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Third Lake, IL
Morning
in Third Lake on Monday
Local time
7:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Sunny
SSW 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
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
7 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 30m 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...
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 179.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on highways, with 83% of the 226 miles on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 171 miles, primarily on I 55. After this, you'll transition to surface roads like South Lake Street for the final leg of your trip. Expect a lot of exits and potential for merging traffic as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 171 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Veterans Memorial 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 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 17 significant decision points across 226 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 174 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
781 ft545 ft
Total Climb
549 ft
Total Descent
375 ft
Highest Point
781 ft
~64.6 mi in
Elevation Range
236 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 Third Lake, IL, road signs point toward Peoria and Southwest Suburbs.
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 30m. Total distance: 226 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 171 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.35 in tolls one way, starting with Veterans 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.
Yes — we found about 24 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 Third Lake, 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 24 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 174 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Third Lake, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
