Origin
Gillespie, IL
Late night in Gillespie on Monday
Local time
12:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gillespie, IL to Springfield, IL
Drive Time
57m
Distance
57.5 mi
93 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 53m
★
6 AM
0h 57m
8 AM
1h 7m
10 AM
1h 1m
12 PM
1h 0m
3 PM
1h 1m
5 PM
1h 6m
8 PM
0h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gillespie, IL
Mike Tyurin
Springfield, IL
Mike Tyurin
Trip Overview
Connecting Gillespie to Springfield, this 57.5-mile journey is a straightforward Midwestern trip that fits perfectly into a single day. You can expect to spend about 57 minutes behind the wheel, making it an efficient way to travel between these two Illinois towns. With a fuel budget of approximately $9, the trip is quite economical for solo drivers or small groups. Since the route is relatively short, there is no need to plan for overnight stays or complex logistics. Whether you are heading north for business or just a change of scenery, this transit offers a simple, no-fuss connection within the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
28.7 miles from Gillespie, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 28m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged rather than lulled by a monotonous interstate slog. You will navigate a mix of East Elm Street and County Road 1200 N before transitioning toward I-55 North. Because the highway share is 0%, your focus will be entirely on navigating local roads rather than high-speed cruising. There are no long, uninterrupted stretches here, as the longest segment on East Elm Street is 0 miles, requiring you to stay alert through various turns. This route prioritizes local connectivity over highway speed, giving you a very hands-on driving experience.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Elm Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Gillespie, IL to Springfield, IL is easy. At 57m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Gillespie, IL to Springfield, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Elm Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| County Road 1200 N | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 55 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 55 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Old State Capitol Plaza | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Washington Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
East Elm Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gillespie, IL and Springfield, IL.
1
Start on Macoupin Street
16 ft
·
2 sec
·
Macoupin Street
2
Turn right onto East Elm Street
8.8 mi
·
13 min
·
East Elm Street
3
Continue on County Road 1200 N
377 ft
·
24 sec
·
County Road 1200 N
4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North: Springfield
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
I 55 North: Springfield
5
Merge slight left
39 mi
·
41 min
6
Take the exit slight left toward I 55 Business North: Springfield
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 55 Business North: Springfield
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 Business North: Springfield
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 55 Business North: Springfield
8
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 Business North: Springfield
3.8 mi
·
8 min
·
I 55 Business North: Springfield
9
Continue on East Old State Capitol Plaza
410 ft
·
16 sec
·
East Old State Capitol Plaza
10
Turn right onto East Washington Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
East Washington Street
11
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short trip with no scheduled stops, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your own schedule. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of these local roads means you should stay attentive to your navigation as you transition between East Elm Street and County Road 1200 N. With a fuel cost of only $9, you can easily top off your tank in Gillespie before you leave to avoid any mid-trip stops. Because the total duration is under an hour, you won't need to worry about fatigue or extensive rest breaks. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by keeping a steady pace and enjoying the direct path to Springfield.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 28.7 miles from Gillespie, IL, or about 28m into the drive.
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 57.5 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 28.7 miles or 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 48m
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 Gillespie, 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 Gillespie, IL
This is one driving day of about 57.5 miles and 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Gillespie, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 28.7 mi from Gillespie, IL · 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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 57.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 28.7 miles from Gillespie, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.73 one way
$17.47 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $9.63 | $19.26 |
| premium | $4.80 | $10.85 | $21.71 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $12.77 | $25.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.3 | 0 | $6.04 | $2.76 |
| Efficient EV | 14.4 | 0 | $5.03 | $2.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23 | 0 | $8.05 | $3.68 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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
Late night in Springfield on Monday
Local time
12:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
57m 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 Gillespie, IL to Springfield, IL covers 57.5 miles and takes about 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Elm Street, County Road 1200 N, I 55 North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 28.7 miles from Gillespie, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.73 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Gillespie, IL to Springfield, IL is easy. At 57m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Gillespie, IL to Springfield, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Gillespie, IL to Springfield, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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