Origin
Springfield, IL
Late night in Springfield on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
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Drive Time
1h 29m
Distance
66.3 mi
107 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Springfield, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Atwood, IL
Wikimedia Commons
If you are looking to travel from Springfield to Atwood, Illinois, you are looking at a straightforward 66.3-mile journey through the heart of the Midwest. Expect the drive to take approximately 1 hour and 29 minutes behind the wheel. Because the duration is quite manageable, this route works perfectly as a quick day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Budgeting about $10 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Since you remain within the same state and region, the transition between these two points is seamless and lacks the complexity of cross-country travel.
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
33.1 miles from Springfield, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 39m into the drive .
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Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that prioritizes navigation over high-speed interstate cruising. You will begin by navigating North 12th Street and Clear Lake Avenue before transitioning onto US 36 East for the bulk of your travel. With a highway share of 0%, you should anticipate a rhythm defined by local road conditions rather than long, monotonous stretches of highway. The drive maintains a consistent, localized feel throughout the entire 66.3 miles, requiring your full attention at intersections and turns. It is a practical route that favors steady, deliberate progress through the Illinois landscape.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 36 and I 72. 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 1h 29m drive. You will face about 6 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 32.4 miles (US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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
Take the exit onto US 36 toward US 36 East, US 51 South: Decatur, Pana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto US 36 toward US 36 East: Decatur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Springfield, IL to Atwood, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Pana along the way.
Pana
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 36 | 33.3 mi | 50m |
| I 72 | 29.5 mi | 31m |
| Clear Lake Avenue | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Main Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| East Washington Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North 12th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield, IL and Atwood, IL.
Start on East Washington Street
Turn left onto North 12th Street
Turn straight onto IL 97
Continue on I 72; US 36
Take the exit onto US 36
Keep slight left at fork onto US 36
Turn slight right onto US 36
Turn left onto Main Street
Arrive at destination
Since this is a relatively short excursion, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. You won't need to plan for any formal stops, as the 1 hour and 29-minute duration is easily manageable in a single stint. Keep in mind that because this route relies on local roads, your pace will be dictated by traffic flow and turn-by-turn navigation rather than cruise control. Always double-check your route before heading out, as the reliance on local streets like North 12th Street means paying close attention to signage is essential. Use the $10 fuel estimate as a baseline, but consider filling up in Springfield before you leave to ensure you have a full tank for the duration of the drive.
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.
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 66.3 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.1 miles or 39m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Atwood, 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 66.3 miles and 1h 29m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 33.1 mi from Springfield, IL · 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
33 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 66.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 33.1 miles from Springfield, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Atwood, 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 Atwood, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$10.37 one way
$20.73 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $11.38 | $22.76 |
| premium | $4.89 | $12.76 | $25.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.64 | $29.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.9 | 0 | $6.96 | $3.18 |
| Efficient EV | 16.6 | 0 | $5.80 | $2.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26.5 | 0 | $9.28 | $4.24 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Springfield on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Atwood on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
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
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.
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