Origin
Bethany, IL
Afternoon in Bethany on Friday
Local time
4:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bethany, IL to Springfield, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 13m
Distance
57.8 mi
93 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 8m
★
6 AM
1h 14m
8 AM
1h 25m
10 AM
1h 18m
12 PM
1h 17m
3 PM
1h 18m
5 PM
1h 25m
8 PM
1h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bethany, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Springfield, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Bethany, IL to Springfield, IL is 57.8 miles and takes about 1h 13m via US 36, IL 121, and US 51, with a fuel budget near $9 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This short hop across Illinois takes you from the Midwest region to the same region, staying within the state of Illinois. It's a straightforward highway-focused drive, perfect for when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without a lot of fuss. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained roads, making it a reliable option for a quick trip.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 13m. Total distance: 57.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 82% of the journey utilizing faster roads. You'll experience stretches where the speed limit is higher and the landscape may blend into a more uniform presentation. The longest continuous segment on this route is 30.5 miles, primarily on US 36. Expect a consistent driving experience with minimal distractions, ideal for making good time. The route generally maintains a steady pace, allowing you to settle into a rhythm.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 36 is the longest continuous segment at about 30.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 36 and IL 121. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Lincoln Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 57.8 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: near the start (North Lincoln Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (North Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 18.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Lincoln Street
Turn right onto North Lincoln Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Washington Street
Turn right onto North Washington Street
Navigation decision point
6
18.3 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the ramp toward US 51 North: Springfield, Bloomington
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 51 North: Springfield, Bloomington
6
57.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
|
North 7th Street
Turn left onto North 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
57.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
|
East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
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 Bethany, IL to Springfield, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Bloomington along the way.
Bloomington
18.3 mi in
|
~27m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 36 | 30.5 mi | 32m |
| IL 121 | 11.3 mi | 15m |
| US 51 | 5.2 mi | 5m |
| East Elwin Road | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Clear Lake Avenue | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| West Main Street | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| South Business Route 51 | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East Jefferson Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 36
— 30.5 mi, about 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethany, IL and Springfield, IL.
1
Start on this road
101 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto North Lincoln Street
274 ft
·
17 sec
·
North Lincoln Street
3
Turn left onto West North Water Street
272 ft
·
14 sec
·
West North Water Street
4
Turn right onto North Washington Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
North Washington Street
5
At end of road, turn left onto IL 121
11 mi
·
15 min
·
IL 121
6
Turn left onto CTH 30
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
West Main Street
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on CTH 30
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
East Elwin Road
8
Turn right onto US 51 Business
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Business Route 51
9
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward US 51 North: Springfield, Bloomington
10
Merge onto US 51
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
US 51
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Springfield
12
Merge onto US 36
31 mi
·
32 min
·
US 36
13
Continue on IL 97
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Clear Lake Avenue
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on IL 97
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn left onto North 7th Street
406 ft
·
18 sec
·
North 7th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
East Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Arrive at destination
East Washington Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 28.9 mi from Bethany, IL · 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 28.9 miles from Bethany, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Springfield, IL
The final approach into Springfield, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.04 one way
$18.07 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $9.92 | $19.84 |
| premium | $4.89 | $11.12 | $22.25 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.76 | $25.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.3 | 0 | $6.07 | $2.77 |
| Efficient EV | 14.5 | 0 | $5.06 | $2.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.1 | 0 | $8.09 | $3.70 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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
Afternoon in Springfield on Friday
Local time
4:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
24 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
1h 13m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bethany, IL to Springfield, IL covers 57.8 miles and takes about 1h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 36, IL 121, US 51. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 28.9 miles from Bethany, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.04 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 57.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Lincoln Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (North Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 18.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Bethany, IL to Springfield, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Bloomington along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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