Origin
Bourbonnais, IL
Evening in Bourbonnais on Wednesday
Local time
6:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bourbonnais, IL to Springfield, IL
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
3h 1m
Distance
160.6 mi
259 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 50m
★
6 AM
3h 1m
8 AM
3h 24m
10 AM
3h 9m
12 PM
3h 7m
3 PM
3h 10m
5 PM
3h 23m
8 PM
2h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bourbonnais, IL
Pierre Blaché
Springfield, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 160.6-mile journey from Bourbonnais, IL to Springfield, IL is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in about 3 hours and 1 minute. It's an ideal day trip, so you won't need to worry about overnight stays. The estimated fuel cost is around $25, making it an economical option. You'll primarily be on I-57 and I-72, with Clear Lake Avenue as a final stretch into Springfield. The route stays within the Midwest region, offering a familiar landscape as you travel through Illinois. This drive is focused on getting you efficiently from point A to point B.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
80.3 miles from Bourbonnais, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for 94% of this trip, meaning you'll spend most of your time on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 78.3 miles on I-72, so settle in and enjoy the consistent pace. While interstates can sometimes feel monotonous, this route offers a predictable driving experience designed for efficiency. The transition to Clear Lake Avenue as you approach Springfield will signal the end of your interstate travel and the beginning of your arrival in the capital city.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 72 is the longest continuous segment at about 78.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 72 and I 57. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near IL 102 / Main Street Northwest.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 1m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (IL 102 / Main Street Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (US 45; US 52 / South Washington Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 78.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
IL 102 / Main Street Northwest
At end of road, turn right onto IL 102 / Main Street Northwest
Navigation decision point
4
3.4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
US 45; US 52 / South Washington Avenue
Turn right onto US 45; US 52 / South Washington Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
78.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward I 72 West: Decatur
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 235B
Toward I 72 West: Decatur
6
160.4 mi into trip
|
~3h in
|
North 7th Street
Turn left onto North 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
160.5 mi into trip
|
~3h in
|
East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 72 | 78.3 mi | 1h 24m |
| I 57 | 72 mi | 1h 17m |
| Clear Lake Avenue | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| North Kennedy Drive | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| South Schuyler Avenue | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| South East Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| South Main Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| South Washington Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 72
— 78.3 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bourbonnais, IL and Springfield, IL.
1
Start on Olde Oak Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Olde Oak Drive
2
At end of road, turn right onto IL 102
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Main Street Northwest
3
Turn right onto US 45; US 52
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
South Main Street
4
Continue on US 45; US 52
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North Kennedy Drive
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 45; US 52; IL 17
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
West Court Street
6
Turn right onto US 45; US 52
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
South Washington Avenue
7
Continue on US 45; US 52
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
McMullin Drive
8
Turn left onto US 45; US 52
505 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Water Street
9
Continue on US 45; US 52
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
South East Avenue
10
Turn right onto US 45; US 52
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
South Schuyler Avenue
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
Toward I-57 South: Champaign
12
Merge onto I 57
72 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
I 57
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 235B
Toward I 72 West: Decatur
14
Merge onto I 72
78 mi
·
1 hr 24 min
·
I 72
15
Continue on IL 97
2.3 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 the 3-hour duration and 160.6-mile distance, this route is perfect for a same-day trip. You can leave Bourbonnais in the morning and arrive in Springfield with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in planning your break. Aim to leave before major rush hour traffic in the Chicago metropolitan area to ensure a smooth start. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 78.3 miles on I-72, as services can be spaced out on interstates.
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 80.3 miles from Bourbonnais, IL, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.3 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 35 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.3 miles or 1h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 26m
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 Bourbonnais, 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 Bourbonnais, IL
This is one driving day of about 160.6 miles and 3h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Bourbonnais, 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 72 for about 78.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.3 mi from Bourbonnais, IL · 1h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80.3 miles from Bourbonnais, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 72 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.3 miles.
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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Springfield, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.11 one way
$50.22 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.57 | $55.14 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.91 | $61.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.46 | $70.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.2 | 0 | $16.86 | $7.71 |
| Efficient EV | 40.2 | 0 | $14.05 | $6.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.2 | 0 | $22.48 | $10.28 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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
Evening in Springfield on Wednesday
Local time
6:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live 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
18 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
3h 1m 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 Bourbonnais, IL to Springfield, IL covers 160.6 miles and takes about 3h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 72, I 57, Clear Lake Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 80.3 miles from Bourbonnais, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.11 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 1m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (IL 102 / Main Street Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (US 45; US 52 / South Washington Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 78.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Bourbonnais, IL to Springfield, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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