Trip from Winnetka, IL to Springfield, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 12m

Distance

215.4 mi

347 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

18 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

4h 0m ★

6 AM

4h 13m

8 AM

4h 39m

10 AM

4h 22m

12 PM

4h 19m

3 PM

4h 23m

5 PM

4h 38m

8 PM

4h 5m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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village in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Winnetka, IL

Wikimedia Commons

capital city of Illinois and county seat of Sangamon County

Springfield, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Winnetka, IL to Springfield, IL covers 215.4 miles and takes about 4h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I 55, Tri-State Tollway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 119.4 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.68 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

107.7 miles from Winnetka, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Adlai Stevenson Expressway	119.4 mi	2h 13m
I 55	59.5 mi	1h 3m
Tri-State Tollway	24.3 mi	30m
Willow Road	6.6 mi	12m
Clear Lake Avenue	2.1 mi	4m
Locust Road	0.5 mi	1m
East Jefferson Street	0.4 mi	1m
Pine Street	0.3 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: Adlai Stevenson Expressway — 119.4 mi, about 2h 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Winnetka, IL and Springfield, IL.

Start on Pine Street

0.3 mi · 48 sec · Pine Street

Turn left onto Locust Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Locust Road

At end of road, turn right onto Willow Road

6.6 mi · 12 min · Willow Road

Use the right lane.

Turn left

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 294 Toll South: Indiana Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 294

18 mi · 23 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 23 Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec

Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 55

119 mi · 2 hr 13 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 43 sec

Toward IL 97 West

Merge onto IL 97

2.1 mi · 4 min · Clear Lake Avenue

Use the straight lane.

Continue on IL 97

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Jefferson Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto North 7th Street

406 ft · 18 sec · North 7th Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn left onto East Washington Street

0.1 mi · 23 sec · East Washington Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Arrive at destination

East Washington Street

Trip Plan

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 107.7 miles from Winnetka, IL, or about 2h 11m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.4 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 47 miles or 1h 3m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 107.7 miles or 2h 11m 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 27m

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 Winnetka, 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 Winnetka, IL

This is one driving day of about 215.4 miles and 4h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Winnetka, 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 Adlai Stevenson Expressway for about 119.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

El Paso, IL

108 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

Romeoville, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Normal, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 107.7 miles from Winnetka, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 119.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

3 Rivers Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Channahon, Illinois

Early in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 61.5

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18158285110

Visit website

Magic Kitchen

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Springfield, Illinois

0.9 mi

Mr Gyros

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Springfield, Illinois

1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Emmys Cafe & Gaming

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Braidwood, Illinois

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 76.9

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+18153905133

Emmy's Cafe & Gaming

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Coal City, Illinois

3 mi

3 Rivers Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 61.5

Channahon, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18158285110

Visit website

Magic Kitchen

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 215.4

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+12175256975

Visit website

Mr Gyros

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 215.4

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+12175232817

Taco Gringo South

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 215.4

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+12176702905

Visit website

Krekel's Custard & Hamburgers

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 215.4

Grandview, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+12175254952

Visit website

DW Diner Express & Liquor Store

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 61.5

Channahon, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+18153354448

Visit website

Cafe Mirage

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 15.4

Schiller Park, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+18476782614

Visit website

Route 66 Polk-A-Dot Drive In

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 76.9

Braidwood, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+18154583377

Visit website

Emmys Cafe & Gaming

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 76.9

Braidwood, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+18153905133

Emmy's Cafe & Gaming

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 76.9

Coal City, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+18155185375

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 184.6

Lincoln, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18663502738

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 153.9

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–12 pm

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

Later in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route

Rest Area

1.9 mi from route

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 30.8

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

Dock Rotz Tavern

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 61.5

Minooka, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18154672200

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 215.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.8 mi into trip | ~2m in | Willow Road

At end of road, turn right onto Willow Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

7.4 mi into trip | ~14m in

Turn left toward I 294 Toll South: Indiana

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 294 Toll South: Indiana

32.8 mi into trip | ~47m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

152.7 mi into trip | ~3h 2m 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

215.2 mi into trip | ~4h 12m in | East Washington Street

Turn left onto East Washington Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.68 one way

$67.35 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 75 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$36.97	$73.95
premium	$4.89	$41.45	$82.90
diesel	$5.61	$47.56	$95.12

Estimated Tolls: $1.45

Tri-state Tollway (24.3 mi) $1.45

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

$34

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 75.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

18 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

1800 Maple Self Park Garage - Tesla Supercharger

Evanston, IL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Abt Electronics - Tesla Supercharger

Glenview, IL

Tesla

10 DCFC

Willow Festival - Tesla Supercharger

Northbrook, IL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Westfield Old Orchard (Skokie, IL)

Skokie, IL

Electrify America

6 DCFC

Golf Mill Ford

Niles, IL

EVXY

6 DCFC

NorthWest Electric

Mount Prospect, IL

NOODOE

4 DCFC

Golf Mill Chevrolet

Niles, IL

EVXY

4 DCFC

Kohl's - Tesla Supercharger (BA Solutions)

Mt Prospect, IL

Tesla

4 DCFC

Tesla: 4 eVgo Network: 3 Electrify America: 2 Non-Networked: 2 EVXY: 2 ChargePoint Network: 1 EV Connect: 1 NOODOE: 1 Blink Network: 1 IN_CHARGE: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	64.6	0	$22.62	$10.34
Efficient EV	53.9	0	$18.85	$8.62
EV Truck/SUV	86.2	1	$30.16	$13.79

Gas CO2

75 kg

EV CO2

25 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Winnetka, IL

Morning in Winnetka on Sunday

Local time

10:54 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Springfield, IL

Morning in Springfield on Sunday

Local time

10:54 AM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

74°F

El Paso, IL

108 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

8 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

4h 12m 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...

0 mi from route Free near mile 215.4

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 ~44 min detour Free near mile 29.7

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

215.4 mi in 4h 12m, mostly highway — 119.4 mi of that is on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.

83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 119.4 mi on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near Willow Road.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 215.4 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 0.8 miles (Willow Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 32.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

On the drive from Winnetka, IL to Springfield, IL, road signs begin pointing toward St. Louis along the way.

St. Louis

32.2 mi in | ~46m

About the Cities

Arriving in Springfield, IL

Full guide →

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.

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 4h 12m. Total distance: 215.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 12m 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 119.4 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.45 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.

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 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Springfield, 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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Explore more options from Winnetka, IL or browse trips ending in Springfield, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Trip from Winnetka, IL to Springfield, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

3 Rivers Café

Emmys Cafe & Gaming

3 Rivers Café

Magic Kitchen

Mr Gyros

Taco Gringo South

Krekel's Custard & Hamburgers

DW Diner Express & Liquor Store

Cafe Mirage

Route 66 Polk-A-Dot Drive In

Emmys Cafe & Gaming

Emmy's Cafe & Gaming

The Happy Crab Mobile Coffee Bar

Kafe De Kasa

Brick & Ivy Coffee Co.

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

Universal Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

Red E Charging Station

Rail Splitter Rest Area - Southbound

Hinsdale Oasis

Rail Splitter Rest Area - Northbound

Dixie Trucker's Home

Funks Grove Rest Area

Limestone Rest Area (Southbound)

Limestone Rest Area (Northbound)

Love's Travel Stop

TA

Love's Travel Stop

Greater Chicago Truck Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Petro Stopping Centers

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Road Ranger

Pilot Travel Center

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Rest Area

Prairie Trail Park

Dock Rotz Tavern

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Winnetka, IL

Springfield, IL

Same local time

8 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 12m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

Pullman National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Arriving in Springfield, IL

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?