Origin
Mattoon, IL
Evening in Mattoon on Sunday
Local time
8:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mattoon, IL to Springfield, IL
Drive Time
1h 50m
Distance
82.7 mi
133 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 43m
★
6 AM
1h 51m
8 AM
2h 7m
10 AM
1h 56m
12 PM
1h 55m
3 PM
1h 57m
5 PM
2h 6m
8 PM
1h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mattoon, IL
Yusuf Çelik
Springfield, IL
Mike Tyurin
Trip Overview
Connecting Mattoon to Springfield, this 82.7-mile journey is a straightforward trek across the heart of the Illinois Midwest. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 50 minutes on the road, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of only $13, it is an affordable way to navigate between these two regional hubs. Because the transit time is relatively short, you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations unless your schedule requires it. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick change of scenery, this route offers a practical and efficient link between the two cities.
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
41.3 miles from Mattoon, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is primarily highway-focused, with approximately 85% of your travel spent on higher-speed roads. You will rely on a combination of Route 121, US 36, and US 51 to complete the distance. Behind the wheel, you will encounter a mix of road types, including a notable 33.8-mile stretch on Route 121 that serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of your trip. Expect a consistent pace as you transition between these main arteries, moving away from local connections toward more efficient highway travel. The experience is functional and direct, perfect for those who prefer steady momentum over winding scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Route 121 is the longest continuous segment at about 33.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Route 121 and US 36. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 36.5 miles in near CTH 30 / West Main Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 82.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 36.5 miles (CTH 30 / West Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 43.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
36.5 mi into trip
|
~54m in
|
CTH 30 / West Main Street
Turn left onto CTH 30 / West Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
43.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
Take the ramp toward US 51 North: Springfield, Bloomington
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 51 North: Springfield, Bloomington
5
48.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
Take the exit toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Springfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Springfield
6
82.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m in
|
North 7th Street
Turn left onto North 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
82.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m in
|
East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Mattoon, IL to Springfield, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Bloomington along the way.
Bloomington
43.2 mi in
|
~1h 4m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Route 121 | 33.8 mi | 48m |
| US 36 | 30.5 mi | 32m |
| US 51 | 5.2 mi | 5m |
| East Elwin Road | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Dewitt Avenue | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Clear Lake Avenue | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| West Main Street | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| South Business Route 51 | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Route 121
— 33.8 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mattoon, IL and Springfield, IL.
1
Start on this road
115 ft
·
13 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto North 15th Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North 15th Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto Dewitt Avenue
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Dewitt Avenue
4
Continue on IL 121
34 mi
·
48 min
·
Route 121
Use the none lane.
5
Turn left onto CTH 30
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
West Main Street
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on CTH 30
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
East Elwin Road
7
Turn right onto US 51 Business
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Business Route 51
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward US 51 North: Springfield, Bloomington
9
Merge onto US 51
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
US 51
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Springfield
11
Merge onto US 36
31 mi
·
32 min
·
US 36
12
Continue on IL 97
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Clear Lake Avenue
Use the none lane.
13
Continue on IL 97
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto North 7th Street
406 ft
·
18 sec
·
North 7th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
East Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Arrive at destination
East Washington Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a sub-two-hour drive with no mandatory stops scheduled, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal preferences. You can easily complete the entire 82.7-mile distance without needing to refuel, keeping your $13 budget intact for the duration of the trip. Because the route relies heavily on major roads, keep an eye on traffic patterns as you transition between Route 121 and US 36. If you are traveling during peak hours, factor in a little extra time to account for potential congestion on the highway stretches. Leveraging the simplicity of this short drive allows you to maximize your time once you arrive at your destination.
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 41.3 miles from Mattoon, IL, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.8 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 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.3 miles or 1h 1m 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 34m
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 Mattoon, 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 Mattoon, IL
This is one driving day of about 82.7 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mattoon, 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.
The longest stretch is on Route 121 for about 33.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41.3 mi from Mattoon, IL · 1h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 41.3 miles from Mattoon, 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
$12.56 one way
$25.12 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $13.85 | $27.69 |
| premium | $4.80 | $15.61 | $31.22 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.37 | $36.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.8 | 0 | $8.68 | $3.97 |
| Efficient EV | 20.7 | 0 | $7.24 | $3.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.1 | 0 | $11.58 | $5.29 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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
Evening in Springfield on Sunday
Local time
8:57 PM
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
11 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
1h 50m 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 Mattoon, IL to Springfield, IL covers 82.7 miles and takes about 1h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Route 121, US 36, 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 41.3 miles from Mattoon, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.56 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 82.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 36.5 miles (CTH 30 / West Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 43.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Mattoon, IL to Springfield, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Bloomington along the way.
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