Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Gages Lake, IL to Springfield, IL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

4h 25m

Distance

229.7 mi

370 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 13m ★
6 AM
4h 26m
8 AM
4h 53m
10 AM
4h 35m
12 PM
4h 33m
3 PM
4h 37m
5 PM
4h 51m
8 PM
4h 18m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Gages Lake, IL, IL

Gages Lake, IL

PIE

capital city of Illinois and county seat of Sangamon County

Springfield, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 229.7-mile drive from Gages Lake, IL, to Springfield, IL, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 4 hours and 25 minutes. Given its relatively short duration and efficient route, it's an ideal candidate for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. The primary roads you'll be using are the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I-55, and the Tri-State Tollway, meaning you'll spend about 78% of your time on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $36, this trip offers an economical way to travel within the Midwest region. You'll experience a consistent driving profile for most of the journey.

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

114.9 miles from Gages Lake, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 25m. Total distance: 229.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-centric experience for the majority of this 229.7-mile route, with 78% of the drive taking place on interstates and tollways. You'll encounter the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I-55, and the Tri-State Tollway as your main arteries. The longest continuous stretch you'll navigate is an impressive 119.4 miles on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, indicating long periods of consistent speed and minimal local traffic interaction. This profile suggests a driving experience that is largely about covering ground efficiently rather than seeking out varied scenery or winding roads.

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.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 119.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 17.8 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 229.7 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 17.8 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.3 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

8
17.8 mi into trip | ~23m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
6
45.3 mi into trip | ~58m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
47.2 mi into trip | ~1h in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
8
167 mi into trip | ~3h 15m 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
7
229.6 mi into trip | ~4h 25m 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.

Between Gages Lake, IL and Springfield, IL, road signs point toward O'hare and St. Louis.

O'hare

17.8 mi in | ~23m | via I 294

St. Louis

46.5 mi in | ~59m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Adlai Stevenson Expressway 119.4 mi 2h 13m
I 55 59.5 mi 1h 3m
Tri-State Tollway 42.3 mi 51m
Clear Lake Avenue 2.1 mi 4m
Belvidere Road 1.9 mi 2m
West Gages Lake Road 0.9 mi 1m
Hunt Club Road 0.8 mi 1m
East Jefferson Street 0.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Adlai Stevenson Expressway — 119.4 mi, about 2h 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gages Lake, IL and Springfield, IL.

1

Start on West Kewaunee Drive

0.1 mi · 30 sec · West Kewaunee Drive
2

Turn left onto North Mill Road

375 ft · 14 sec · North Mill Road
3

Turn right onto West Gages Lake Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Gages Lake Road
4

Turn right onto Hunt Club Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · Hunt Club Road
Use the right lane.
5

At end of road, turn left onto IL 120

1.9 mi · 2 min · Belvidere Road
6

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 94 Toll East: Chicago
7

Merge onto I 94

14 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

23 mi · 28 min · Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 23 Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the slight right lane.
13

Merge onto I 55

119 mi · 2 hr 13 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

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.
15

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 43 sec
Toward IL 97 West
16

Merge onto IL 97

2.1 mi · 4 min · Clear Lake Avenue
Use the straight lane.
17

Continue on IL 97

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18

Turn left onto North 7th Street

406 ft · 18 sec · North 7th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
19

Turn left onto East Washington Street

0.1 mi · 23 sec · East Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
20

Arrive at destination

East Washington Street

Trip Plan

For this 4-hour and 25-minute drive, starting your journey in the morning, perhaps before the heaviest commuter traffic, will set you up for a smooth arrival in Springfield. Since it's a manageable distance, you can be flexible with stops, but plan for at least one break to stretch your legs. The route is predominantly highway, so staying alert for traffic changes on I-55 and the Tri-State Tollway is key. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest 119.4-mile stretch on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, to avoid unexpected delays. The estimated fuel cost is $36, so factor that into your budget.

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 114.9 miles from Gages Lake, IL, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.4 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 51 miles or 1h 5m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 114.9 miles or 2h 16m 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 38m

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 Gages Lake, 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 Gages Lake, IL

This is one driving day of about 229.7 miles and 4h 25m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Gages Lake, 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 119.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 114.9 mi from Gages Lake, IL · 2h 16m into the drive

Downtown Normal, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Normal, IL

115 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

Downers Grove, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Normal, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 114.9 miles from Gages Lake, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 119.4 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

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...

0 mi from route Free near mile 229.7
View on nps.gov
Pullman National Historical Park

Pullman National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

16 mi from route ~40 min detour Free near mile 47.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$35.91 one way

$71.82 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 80 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $39.43 $78.86
premium $4.89 $44.20 $88.41
diesel $5.61 $50.71 $101.43

Estimated Tolls: $2.53

Tri-state Tollway (42.3 mi) $2.53

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

$36

Tolls

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 80.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 68.9 0 $24.12 $11.03
Efficient EV 57.4 0 $20.10 $9.19
EV Truck/SUV 91.9 1 $32.16 $14.70

Gas CO2

80 kg

EV CO2

27 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 16, 2026

Origin

Gages Lake, IL

Afternoon in Gages Lake on Thursday

Local time

3:53 PM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Springfield, IL

Afternoon in Springfield on Thursday

Local time

3:53 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

12 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

4h 25m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Gages Lake, IL to Springfield, IL covers 229.7 miles and takes about 4h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I 55, Tri-State Tollway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 114.9 miles from Gages Lake, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.91 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 229.7 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 17.8 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.3 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Gages Lake, IL and Springfield, IL, road signs point toward O'hare and St. Louis.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Springfield, IL

Louisville, KY 321.6 mi · 5h 55m Richmond, IL 238.7 mi · 4h 33m Guilford, IL 237 mi · 4h 56m Fox Lake, IL 230.5 mi · 4h 26m

More from Gages Lake, IL

Bremen, IL 376.5 mi · 7h 26m Peoria, IL 195 mi · 3h 46m Bloomington, IL 163 mi · 3h 17m Lockport, IL 61.4 mi · 1h 26m Chicago, IL 44.5 mi · 1h 2m

More trips to Springfield, IL

Louisville, KY 321.5 mi Richmond, IL 239.2 mi Lena, IL 237.5 mi Guilford, IL 237 mi Spring Grove, IL 234.4 mi Lake Bluff, IL 225.3 mi
Overnight trips from Gages Lake, IL Scenic drives in IL

Explore more options from Gages Lake, IL or browse trips ending in Springfield, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Explore maps for Gages Lake, IL or Springfield, IL on MapSof.net.