The drive from Du Quoin, IL to Springfield, IL covers 152 miles and takes about 3h 9m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 55, I 64, IL 4 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 58.1 miles on I 55.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.76 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
76 miles from Du Quoin, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 9m. Total distance: 152 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 9m highway drive covering 152 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and I 64. The longest continuous stretch is about 58.1 miles on I 55.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 58.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 64. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near US 51 / South Hickory Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 152 miles you will encounter 15 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 0.5 miles (US 51 / South Hickory Street): Navigation decision point; at 62.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 147.8 miles (I 55 Business): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|US 51 / South Hickory Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 51 / South Hickory Street
Navigation decision point
5
62.6 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward IL 4
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward IL 4
5
147.8 mi into trip|~2h 59m in|I 55 Business
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 Business toward I 55 Business North: Springfield
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 55 Business North: Springfield
7
147.9 mi into trip|~3h in|I 55 Business
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 Business toward I 55 Business North: Springfield
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
Toward I 55 Business North: Springfield
7
151.8 mi into trip|~3h 9m in|East Washington Street
Turn right onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
58.1 mi
1h 2m
I 64
26.6 mi
28m
IL 4
26 mi
38m
North Main Street
22 mi
27m
IL 154
7.6 mi
11m
I 55 Business
4.6 mi
10m
Front Street
4.2 mi
6m
South Hickory Street
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 58.1 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Du Quoin, IL and Springfield, IL.
1
Start on East Main Street
32 ft·6 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn left onto South Washington Street
480 ft·25 sec·South Washington Street
3
Turn right onto US 51
0.4 mi·35 sec·West Poplar Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 51
0.9 mi·1 min·South Hickory Street
5
Continue on US 51
4.2 mi·6 min·Front Street
6
Turn left onto IL 154
7.6 mi·11 min·IL 154
7
Turn right onto IL 127
22 mi·27 min·North Main Street
8
Turn left
0.4 mi·48 sec
9
Merge onto I 64
27 mi·28 min·I 64
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·32 sec
Toward IL 4
11
Keep slight right at fork
181 ft·3 sec
Toward IL 4
12
Turn straight onto IL 4
26 mi·38 min·IL 4
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
14
Merge onto I 55
58 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 55
15
Take the exit onto I 55 Business
0.7 mi·1 min·I 55 Business
Toward I 55 Business North: Springfield
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 Business
0.2 mi·16 sec·I 55 Business
Toward I 55 Business North: Springfield
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 Business
3.8 mi·8 min·I 55 Business
Toward I 55 Business North: SpringfieldUse the left / straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on East Old State Capitol Plaza
409 ft·15 sec·East Old State Capitol Plaza
19
Turn right onto East Washington Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·East Washington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
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 76 miles from Du Quoin, IL, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.1 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 33 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76 miles or 1h 37m 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 34m
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 Du Quoin, 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 Du Quoin, IL
This is one driving day of about 152 miles and 3h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Du Quoin, 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 58.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76 mi from Du Quoin, IL
· 1h 37m into the drive
The midpoint is around 76 miles from Du Quoin, 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.
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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.76 one way
$47.53 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$26.09
$52.18
premium
$4.89
$29.25
$58.50
diesel
$5.61
$33.56
$67.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.6
0
$15.96
$7.30
Efficient EV
38
0
$13.30
$6.08
EV Truck/SUV
60.8
0
$21.28
$9.73
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Du Quoin, IL
Late night
in Du Quoin on Saturday
Local time
3:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Springfield, IL
Late night
in Springfield on Saturday
Local time
3:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°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
3 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
3h 9m 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 Du Quoin, IL to Springfield, IL covers 152 miles and takes about 3h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, I 64, IL 4. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76 miles from Du Quoin, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.76 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 152 miles you will encounter 15 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: at 0.5 miles (US 51 / South Hickory Street): Navigation decision point; at 62.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 147.8 miles (I 55 Business): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Du Quoin, IL to Springfield, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
