Drive Time
3h 52m
Distance
179.8 mi
289 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
Photo: Mike Tyurin
The drive from Springfield, IL to Albion, IL covers 179.8 miles and takes about 3h 52m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 50, County Road 1150, IL 29 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 57.1 miles on US 50. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.31 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
89.9 miles from Springfield, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .
The drive from Springfield, IL to Albion, IL covers 179.8 miles and takes about 3h 52m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
284 ft
Total Descent
361 ft
Highest Point
681 ft
~45 mi in
Elevation Range
238 ft
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Washington Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 52m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (North 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles (IL 29 / North Dirksen Parkway): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Depart onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto North 12th Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto IL 29 / North Dirksen Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto IL 29
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto IL 130 / County Road 1150
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 50 | 57.1 mi | 1h 10m |
| County Road 1150 | 24.1 mi | 32m |
| IL 29 | 23.5 mi | 31m |
| 300 East Road | 15.1 mi | 17m |
| United States Highway 51 | 13.4 mi | 15m |
| County Road 875 East | 11.1 mi | 12m |
| 250E | 10.4 mi | 11m |
| N 2000 East Road | 5.4 mi | 7m |
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield, IL and Albion, IL.
Start on East Washington Street
Turn left onto North 12th Street
Turn straight onto IL 97
Turn right onto IL 29
Turn left onto IL 29
Turn straight onto IL 29
Continue on IL 29
Continue on IL 29
Continue on IL 29
Continue on IL 29
Turn left onto IL 29
Continue on IL 29
Continue on IL 29
Continue on IL 29
Turn right onto North Poplar Street
Turn straight onto US 51
Continue on US 51
Continue on US 51
Continue on US 51
Continue on US 51
Turn left onto US 40; US 51; IL 185
Turn right
Continue on US 51
Continue on US 51
Turn left onto US 50
Turn right onto IL 130
Arrive at 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 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.9 miles or 1h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albion, IL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Springfield, 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 Springfield, IL
This is one driving day of about 179.8 miles and 3h 52m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 89.9 mi from Springfield, IL · 1h 59m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
90 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 89.9 miles from Springfield, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Albion, 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 Albion, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$27.31 one way
$54.62 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $30.11 | $60.21 |
| premium | $4.80 | $33.94 | $67.89 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $39.95 | $79.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.9 | 0 | $18.88 | $8.63 |
| Efficient EV | 45 | 0 | $15.73 | $7.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.9 | 0 | $25.17 | $11.51 |
Gas CO2
63 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Night in Springfield on Saturday
Local time
11:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Mostly Cloudy
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Night in Albion on Saturday
Local time
11:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
56°F
Altamont, IL
90 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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