This 187.5-mile drive from East Hazel Crest, IL to Springfield, IL is a straightforward, highway-focused journey perfect for a single day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 33 minutes. The route is primarily on Interstates, with I-55 and I-80 forming the backbone of your travel. With a fuel cost estimated at $29, it's an economical way to get between these two points within the Midwest. This road trip is designed for efficiency, making it ideal for those who want to reach their destination without extensive detours. You'll spend most of your time on high-speed highways, so pack accordingly for a comfortable ride.
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
93.7 miles from East Hazel Crest, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 33m. Total distance: 187.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-centric experience on this 187.5-mile route, with 97% of the drive utilizing major interstates like I-55 and I-80. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 152.5 miles on I-55, meaning extended periods of consistent driving. While primarily an interstate experience, a small portion involves local roads like Clear Lake Avenue as you approach Springfield. The profile suggests a consistent pace, with the emphasis being on covering distance efficiently rather than on varied landscapes. This drive is built for speed and directness.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 152.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 187.5 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 1.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.2 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 294 North, I 80 West: Tri-State Tollway
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 294 North, I 80 West: Tri-State Tollwa...
8
1.6 mi into trip|~4m in|I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Iowa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5
Toward I 80 West: Iowa
8
124.8 mi into trip|~2h 22m 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
6
187.3 mi into trip|~3h 33m in|North 7th Street
Turn left onto North 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
187.3 mi into trip|~3h 33m 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 55
152.5 mi
2h 44m
I 80
29.8 mi
37m
Clear Lake Avenue
2.1 mi
4m
171st Street
0.8 mi
2m
East Jefferson Street
0.4 mi
1m
Center Avenue
0.4 mi
1m
East Washington Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Tri-State Tollway
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 152.5 mi, about 2h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Hazel Crest, IL and Springfield, IL.
1
Start on 174th Street
83 ft·9 sec·174th Street
2
Turn left onto Center Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Center Avenue
3
Turn left onto 171st Street
0.8 mi·2 min·171st Street
4
Turn left onto Wood Street
153 ft·4 sec·Wood Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 294 North, I 80 West: Tri-State Tollway
6
Merge onto I 80; I 294
0.1 mi·9 sec·Tri-State Tollway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
30 mi·37 min·I 80
Exit 5Toward I 80 West: IowaUse the slight right lane.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 126AToward I 55 South: Saint Louis
9
Merge onto I 55
93 mi·1 hr 40 min·I 55
Use the right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
60 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, SpringfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward IL 97 West
12
Merge onto IL 97
2.1 mi·4 min·Clear Lake Avenue
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on IL 97
0.4 mi·1 min·East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto North 7th Street
406 ft·18 sec·North 7th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·East Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Arrive at destination
East Washington Street
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3-hour and 33-minute duration, this trip is best tackled in a single day. Consider an early morning departure from East Hazel Crest to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic. With a fuel cost of around $29, plan for one primary fuel stop if needed, especially before embarking on the longest 152.5-mile stretch on I-55. While the drive is largely on interstates, staying alert for any potential construction or lane changes as you near Springfield is always a good idea. This route's highway focus means you can easily adjust your timing if you encounter unexpected delays.
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 93.7 miles from East Hazel Crest, IL, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 152.5 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 41 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.7 miles or 1h 49m 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 54m
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 Hazel Crest, 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 Hazel Crest, IL
This is one driving day of about 187.5 miles and 3h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from East Hazel Crest, 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 152.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 93.7 mi from East Hazel Crest, IL
· 1h 49m into the drive
The midpoint is around 93.7 miles from East Hazel Crest, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 152.5 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.31 one way
$58.63 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$32.19
$64.37
premium
$4.89
$36.08
$72.17
diesel
$5.61
$41.40
$82.80
Estimated Tolls: $0.01
Tri-state Tollway
(0.1 mi)$0.01
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
$29
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.3
0
$19.69
$9.00
Efficient EV
46.9
0
$16.41
$7.50
EV Truck/SUV
75
0
$26.25
$12.00
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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
East Hazel Crest, IL
Morning
in East Hazel Crest on Friday
Local time
6:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Springfield, IL
Morning
in Springfield on Friday
Local time
6:08 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
7 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 33m 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 East Hazel Crest, IL to Springfield, IL covers 187.5 miles and takes about 3h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, I 80, 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 93.7 miles from East Hazel Crest, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.31 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 demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 187.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from East Hazel Crest, 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 and Pullman National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
