Drive Time
5h 57m
Distance
321.5 mi
517 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
Photo: Mike Tyurin
The drive from Louisville, KY to Springfield, IL covers 321.5 miles and takes about 5h 57m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South 6th Street, West Liberty Street, South 2nd Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.83 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
160.7 miles from Louisville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 58m into the drive .
Expect a 5h 57m drive with frequent turns across 321.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 57m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Louisville, KY to Springfield, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South 6th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Liberty Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South 2nd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Clark Memorial Bridge | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 465 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 57 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 57 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 72 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Louisville, KY and Springfield, IL.
Start on West Jefferson Street
Turn left onto South 6th Street
Turn left onto West Liberty Street
Turn left onto South 2nd Street
Continue on Clark Memorial Bridge
Take the ramp slight left
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 465 West, I 74West, I 465 East, I 74 East: Peoria, Cincinnati
Keep slight left to continue on I 465 West, I 74 West: Peoria
Merge slight right
Keep slight left
Keep slight right
Take the exit slight right toward I 57 North: Chicago, Memphis
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 72 West: Decatur
Merge slight left
Continue on Clear Lake Avenue
Continue on East Jefferson Street
Turn left onto North 7th Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 160.7 miles or 2h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springfield, IL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Louisville, KY 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 Louisville, KY
This is one driving day of about 321.5 miles and 5h 57m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 160.7 mi from Louisville, KY · 2h 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
161 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 160.7 miles from Louisville, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$48.83 one way
$97.67 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $53.83 | $107.66 |
| premium | $4.80 | $60.69 | $121.39 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $71.43 | $142.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 96.5 | 1 | $33.76 | $15.43 |
| Efficient EV | 80.4 | 0 | $28.13 | $12.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 128.6 | 1 | $45.01 | $20.58 |
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Louisville on Sunday
Local time
9:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Springfield on Sunday
Local time
8:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
54°F
Champaign, IL
161 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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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