Origin
La Salle, IL
Night in La Salle on Wednesday
Local time
9:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from La Salle, IL to Springfield, IL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 20m
Distance
127.4 mi
205 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 11m
★
6 AM
2h 21m
8 AM
2h 40m
10 AM
2h 28m
12 PM
2h 26m
3 PM
2h 29m
5 PM
2h 39m
8 PM
2h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Salle, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Springfield, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Connecting La Salle to Springfield, this 127.6-mile trek across the Illinois Midwest is a straightforward journey that typically takes about two hours. Since the trip is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $19 for fuel to cover the distance. By utilizing a combination of the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, US 6, and I-55 South, you can navigate between these two points with ease. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that serves as an efficient link between these central Illinois hubs.
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
63.7 miles from La Salle, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate haul, as this route lacks significant highway-exclusive stretches. Because 0% of the journey is restricted to high-speed highway travel, you will spend your time navigating local roads that demand more active attention from the driver. You will not find long, uninterrupted miles on the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, as the nature of the path requires frequent adjustments. The experience behind the wheel feels more grounded and intimate than a standard freeway cruise. Prepare for a dynamic road profile that keeps you engaged as you transition through the Illinois landscape.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 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 59.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 39. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 127.4 miles you will encounter 9 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 1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.1 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward US 6: LaSalle, Peru, Ottowa
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 6: LaSalle, Peru, Ottowa
6
57.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
|
US 51
Keep slight right at fork onto US 51 toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champai...
8
64.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m 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
127.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m in
|
North 7th Street
Turn left onto North 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
127.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m 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 La Salle, IL and Springfield, IL, road signs point toward Champaign, Saint Louis and Decatur.
Champaign
57.1 mi in
|
~1h 2m
|
via US 51
Saint Louis
57.1 mi in
|
~1h 2m
|
via US 51
Decatur
57.1 mi in
|
~1h 2m
|
via US 51
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 59.5 mi | 1h 3m |
| I 39 | 55.8 mi | 59m |
| US 51 | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| Clear Lake Avenue | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| US 6 | 1 mi | 1m |
| East Jefferson Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| East Washington Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| North 7th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 59.5 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Salle, IL and Springfield, IL.
1
Start on Tonti Street
171 ft
·
12 sec
·
Tonti Street
2
Turn left onto US 6
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 6
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward US 6: LaSalle, Peru, Ottowa
4
Merge onto I 39; US 51
56 mi
·
59 min
·
I 39; US 51
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 51
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
US 51
Toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur
6
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.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward IL 97 West
8
Merge onto IL 97
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Clear Lake Avenue
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on IL 97
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Turn left onto North 7th Street
406 ft
·
18 sec
·
North 7th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
11
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
East Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Arrive at destination
East Washington Street
Trip Plan
Given the two-hour duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your personal schedule. While the route does not require structured stop-offs, keep your $19 fuel budget in mind when filling up before you head out. Since you are navigating local roads rather than major interstates, stay alert for changing speed limits and intersections that appear more frequently than on a typical highway drive. Because there are no designated stops on this 127.6-mile path, pack your own water and snacks to ensure a comfortable trip. Taking this drive during daylight hours is recommended to better navigate the turn-heavy nature of these local roads.
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 63.7 miles from La Salle, IL, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.5 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 28 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.7 miles or 1h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 52m
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 La Salle, 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 La Salle, IL
This is one driving day of about 127.4 miles and 2h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from La Salle, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 59.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 63.7 mi from La Salle, IL · 1h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 63.7 miles from La Salle, 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
$19.92 one way
$39.84 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.87 | $43.74 |
| premium | $4.89 | $24.52 | $49.03 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.13 | $56.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.2 | 0 | $13.38 | $6.12 |
| Efficient EV | 31.9 | 0 | $11.15 | $5.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51 | 0 | $17.84 | $8.15 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Night in Springfield on Wednesday
Local time
9:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Danvers, IL
64 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
17 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
2h 20m 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 La Salle, IL to Springfield, IL covers 127.4 miles and takes about 2h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, I 39, US 51. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 63.7 miles from La Salle, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.92 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 127.4 miles you will encounter 9 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 1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.1 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between La Salle, IL and Springfield, IL, road signs point toward Champaign, Saint Louis and Decatur.
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