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Trip from Matteson, IL to Springfield, IL

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

3h 28m

Distance

182.9 mi

294 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 17m ★
6 AM
3h 29m
8 AM
3h 53m
10 AM
3h 37m
12 PM
3h 35m
3 PM
3h 39m
5 PM
3h 52m
8 PM
3h 21m

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

village in Illinois, United States of America

Matteson, IL

Wikimedia Commons

capital city of Illinois and county seat of Sangamon County

Springfield, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 182.9-mile drive from Matteson, IL, to Springfield, IL, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 28 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-55, with brief segments on I-57 and West Wilmington Road, this route keeps you on well-maintained expressways for 86% of the trip. With a projected fuel cost of around $29, it's an economical option for a day trip or a quick transfer between two points in the Midwest. The drive offers a clear, direct path with minimal complexity, making it a practical choice for those prioritizing efficiency.

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

91.5 miles from Matteson, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 182.9-mile route, with 86% of your travel occurring on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans an impressive 143.3 miles, allowing for consistent speed and minimal disruption. While the majority of the drive is on I-55, you'll encounter brief transitions onto I-57 and West Wilmington Road. This profile suggests a drive characterized by speed and efficiency rather than winding scenic byways, offering a predictable and smooth ride for most of the 3 hour and 28 minute duration.

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.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 143.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 57. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 15.1 miles in.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 182.9 miles you will encounter 14 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 15.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 120.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

6
15.1 mi into trip | ~18m in

Take the exit toward Peotone, Wilmington

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 327 Toward Peotone, Wilmington
5
36.1 mi into trip | ~47m in

Take the ramp toward I 55 South: Bloomington

Navigation decision point

Toward I 55 South: Bloomington
8
120.2 mi into trip | ~2h 17m 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
182.7 mi into trip | ~3h 28m in | North 7th Street

Turn left onto North 7th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.
7
182.8 mi into trip | ~3h 28m 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 Matteson, IL and Springfield, IL, road signs point toward Peotone and Wilmington.

Peotone

15.1 mi in | ~18m

Wilmington

15.1 mi in | ~18m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 143.3 mi 2h 33m
I 57 12.9 mi 13m
West Wilmington Road 12.1 mi 16m
West Peotone Road 4 mi 5m
New River Road 2.3 mi 3m
Clear Lake Avenue 2.1 mi 4m
Lincoln Highway 1.7 mi 3m
North River Road 1.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 143.3 mi, about 2h 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Governors Highway

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Governors Highway
2

Turn left onto US 30

1.7 mi · 3 min · Lincoln Highway
Use the left lane.
3

Turn left

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Toward I 57 South: Kankakee
4

Merge onto I 57

13 mi · 13 min · I 57
5

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Exit 327 Toward Peotone, Wilmington
6

Turn right onto CH 25

12 mi · 16 min · West Wilmington Road
7

Continue on CH 25

4.0 mi · 5 min · West Peotone Road
8

Turn right onto IL 53

0.5 mi · 48 sec · South Chicago Road
9

Turn left onto CH 44

2.3 mi · 3 min · New River Road
10

Continue on CH 44

1.4 mi · 1 min · North River Road
11

Continue on CH 44

0.3 mi · 25 sec · County Highway 44
12

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 55 South: Bloomington
13

Merge onto I 55

84 mi · 1 hr 29 min · I 55
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

Given the 182.9-mile distance and 3 hour and 28 minute estimated drive time, this route is ideal for a single-day trip. You can comfortably depart Matteson in the morning and arrive in Springfield with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $29, planning is straightforward. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid peak rush hour traffic around the Chicago suburbs. The longest stretch on I-55 is over 143 miles, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment to minimize unnecessary stops.

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 91.5 miles from Matteson, IL, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 143.3 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 91.5 miles or 1h 47m 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 50m

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 Matteson, 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 Matteson, IL

This is one driving day of about 182.9 miles and 3h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Matteson, 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 143.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 91.5 mi from Matteson, IL · 1h 47m into the drive

Downtown Normal, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Normal, IL

91 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

Normal, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Normal, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 91.5 miles from Matteson, 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 143.3 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.59 one way

$57.19 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 64 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $31.40 $62.79
premium $4.89 $35.20 $70.39
diesel $5.61 $40.38 $80.76

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 64 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 54.9 0 $19.20 $8.78
Efficient EV 45.7 0 $16.00 $7.32
EV Truck/SUV 73.2 0 $25.61 $11.71

Gas CO2

64 kg

EV CO2

21 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 data refreshed 2 hours ago

Origin

Matteson, IL

Evening in Matteson on Tuesday

Local time

7:03 PM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Springfield, IL

Evening in Springfield on Tuesday

Local time

7:03 PM

CDT

Current temp

87°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SSW 18 mph 23% chance Live forecast

Tornado Watch

Tornado Watch issued April 14 at 2:35PM CDT until April 14 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Tornado Watch

Tornado Watch issued April 14 at 2:33PM CDT until April 14 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

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

35 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 28m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Matteson, IL to Springfield, IL covers 182.9 miles and takes about 3h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, I 57, West Wilmington Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 91.5 miles from Matteson, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.59 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 182.9 miles you will encounter 14 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 15.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 120.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Matteson, IL and Springfield, IL, road signs point toward Peotone and Wilmington.

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