Origin
Streator, IL
Late night in Streator on Tuesday
Local time
5:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Streator, IL to Springfield, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 24m
Distance
122.9 mi
198 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 15m
★
6 AM
2h 25m
8 AM
2h 44m
10 AM
2h 31m
12 PM
2h 29m
3 PM
2h 32m
5 PM
2h 43m
8 PM
2h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Streator, IL
Amar Preciado
Springfield, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 122.9-mile drive from Streator, Illinois, to Springfield, Illinois, is designed for efficiency, taking approximately 2 hours and 24 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-55 and I-39, it's a classic Midwest highway journey perfect for a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, this route offers an economical way to travel between these two Illinois cities. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a predictable and generally smooth ride. Consider this an uncomplicated option if you're looking for a direct connection through the heart of Illinois.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
61.4 miles from Streator, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 59.5 mi | 1h 3m |
| I 39 | 34.1 mi | 36m |
| US 51 | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| North 9th Road | 6.1 mi | 9m |
| East 3000 North Road | 5.1 mi | 7m |
| North 500 E Road | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Clear Lake Avenue | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| South Bloomington Street | 1.8 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 59.5 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Streator, IL and Springfield, IL.
1
Start on IL 18
49 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Turn left onto IL 23
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
South Bloomington Street
3
Continue on IL 23
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North 500 E Road
4
Turn right onto IL 17
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
East 3000 North Road
5
Continue on IL 17
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
North 9th Road
6
Continue on IL 17
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
East Elm Street
7
Turn left onto IL 17; IL 251
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Chestnut Street
8
Turn left onto IL 17; IL 251
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
IL 17; IL 251
9
Turn right onto IL 17
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
700 North Road
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
11
Merge onto I 39; US 51
34 mi
·
36 min
·
I 39; US 51
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 51
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
US 51
Toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
60 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward IL 97 West
15
Merge onto IL 97
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Clear Lake Avenue
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on IL 97
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto North 7th Street
406 ft
·
18 sec
·
North 7th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
East Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
19
Arrive at destination
East Washington Street
Trip Plan
Given its 2-hour 24-minute duration and 122.9-mile length, this trip is easily manageable as a day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. The estimated fuel cost is around $19, so plan accordingly. While there are no designated stops in the data, you'll want to utilize the services available along I-55 for any necessary breaks. A practical tip for this route: pay attention to signage for US-51, as this section may involve slightly different traffic patterns compared to the main interstates.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 61.4 miles from Streator, IL, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.5 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 27 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.4 miles or 1h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springfield, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Streator, 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 Streator, IL
This is one driving day of about 122.9 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Streator, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 59.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 61.4 miles from Streator, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 52.5 and 122.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
52.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
|
US 51
Keep slight right at fork onto US 51 toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champai...
8
60.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
|
I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
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 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
5
120.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m in
|
IL 97 / Clear Lake Avenue
Merge onto IL 97 / Clear Lake Avenue
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
122.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
|
North 7th Street
Turn left onto North 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
122.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
|
East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.21 one way
$38.43 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.10 | $42.19 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.65 | $47.30 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.13 | $54.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.9 | 0 | $12.90 | $5.90 |
| Efficient EV | 30.7 | 0 | $10.75 | $4.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.2 | 0 | $17.21 | $7.87 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Springfield, IL
Late night in Springfield on Tuesday
Local time
5:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Danvers, IL
61 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
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 24m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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
near mile 122.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for 83% of this 122.9-mile trip, predominantly on I-55 and I-39. The drive features a significant uninterrupted stretch of 59.5 miles on I-55, offering a solid period of consistent speed. While the primary roads are interstates, you'll also navigate sections of US-51. This route is characterized by its focus on direct travel rather than scenic detours, providing a practical, no-frills journey through the Illinois landscape.
83% 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: 59.5 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 39. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 52.5 miles in near US 51.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 122.9 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 52.5 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 60.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.1 miles (IL 97 / Clear Lake Avenue): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Between Streator, IL and Springfield, IL, road signs point toward Champaign, Saint Louis and Decatur.
Champaign
52.5 mi in
|
~1h 5m
|
via US 51
Saint Louis
52.5 mi in
|
~1h 5m
|
via US 51
Decatur
52.5 mi in
|
~1h 5m
|
via US 51
About the Cities
Arriving 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
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 2h 24m. Total distance: 122.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 24m 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 59.5 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Springfield, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 52.5 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 60.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.1 miles (IL 97 / Clear Lake Avenue): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Springfield, IL before heading back.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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