Origin
East Dundee, IL
Afternoon in East Dundee on Saturday
Local time
1:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from East Dundee, IL to Springfield, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 6m
Distance
214.4 mi
345 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 54m
★
6 AM
4h 7m
8 AM
4h 33m
10 AM
4h 16m
12 PM
4h 13m
3 PM
4h 17m
5 PM
4h 32m
8 PM
3h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
East Dundee, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Springfield, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 214.4-mile drive from East Dundee, Illinois, to Springfield, Illinois, is a straightforward journey through the Midwest, easily manageable as a single-day trip. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 6 minutes on the road, with a fuel cost estimated at $34. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 92% of it utilizing major interstates like I-355 and I-55. While there's one recommended stop, the longest continuous stretch covers 111.5 miles, suggesting a smooth, uninterrupted drive. This trip offers a practical way to travel between two points within Illinois without significant detours.
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
107.2 miles from East Dundee, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Adlai Stevenson Expressway | 111.5 mi | 2h 2m |
| I 55 | 59.5 mi | 1h 3m |
| I 355 | 20.1 mi | 25m |
| Higgins Road | 7.1 mi | 10m |
| I 290 | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| Jane Addams Memorial Tollway | 4.5 mi | 4m |
| Clear Lake Avenue | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| East Jefferson Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
— 111.5 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Dundee, IL and Springfield, IL.
1
Start on this road
45 ft
·
6 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto IL 72
261 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Main Street
3
Continue on IL 72
7.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Higgins Road
4
Turn sharp left onto South Barrington Road
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
South Barrington Road
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 90 East Toll: Chicago
6
Merge onto I 90
4.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 68A-B
Toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 68A
Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
Use the slight right lane.
9
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
this road
Exit 68A
Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
10
Merge onto I 290; IL 53
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
I 290; IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 355
20 mi
·
25 min
·
I 355
Exit 7
Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
Use the slight left lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 12A
Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward Joliet Road South
Use the slight left lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 55
112 mi
·
2 hr 2 min
·
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward IL 97 West
18
Merge onto IL 97
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Clear Lake Avenue
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on IL 97
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto North 7th Street
406 ft
·
18 sec
·
North 7th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
East Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
22
Arrive at destination
East Washington Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour, 6-minute duration, departing East Dundee in the morning allows ample time to reach Springfield without feeling rushed. With a total of 214.4 miles, you'll likely only need one planned stop for fuel or a break. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 111 miles, so consider taking a short break before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $34, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially before heading onto longer highway sections. This route is ideal for a single-day excursion, offering flexibility in your departure and arrival times.
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 107.2 miles from East Dundee, IL, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.5 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 47 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.2 miles or 2h 7m 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 21m
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 East Dundee, 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 East Dundee, IL
This is one driving day of about 214.4 miles and 4h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from East Dundee, 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 111.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 107.2 miles from East Dundee, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.5 miles.
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 185 decision points cluster between mile 12.5 and 151.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
12.5 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the exit toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 68A-B
Toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs
9
13 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 68A
Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West S...
8
19.3 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
I 355
Keep slight left at fork onto I 355 toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 7
Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
8
39.4 mi into trip
|
~51m in
Take the exit toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12A
Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
8
151.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.52 one way
$67.04 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $36.80 | $73.61 |
| premium | $4.89 | $41.26 | $82.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.34 | $94.67 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.32
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(4.5 mi)
$0.32
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
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.3 | 0 | $22.51 | $10.29 |
| Efficient EV | 53.6 | 0 | $18.76 | $8.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.8 | 1 | $30.02 | $13.72 |
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.
Destination
Springfield, IL
Afternoon in Springfield on Saturday
Local time
1:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 18 mph
23% chance
Live forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 14 at 4:05PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Tornado Watch
Tornado Watch issued April 14 at 2:35PM CDT until April 14 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
74°F
El Paso, IL
107 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
39 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 6m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 92% of the 214.4 miles on major expressways. The Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I-55 will be your main companions for much of this 4-hour, 6-minute journey. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 111.5 miles on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, indicating long periods of consistent speed and minimal traffic disruptions. The character of this drive is largely about efficient travel, with the road maintaining a steady, predictable pace as you head south through Illinois.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.5 mi on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 12.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 214.4 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 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.3 miles (I 355): 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between East Dundee, IL and Springfield, IL, road signs point toward Suburbs, Saint Louis and Joliet Road South.
Suburbs
12.5 mi in
|
~16m
Saint Louis
39.4 mi in
|
~51m
Joliet Road South
39.7 mi in
|
~52m
About the Cities
Starting in East Dundee, IL
Full guide →Founded 1871
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 6m. Total distance: 214.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.5 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.32 in tolls one way, starting with Jane Addams Memorial 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.3 miles (I 355): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Springfield, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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