Origin
Springfield, IL
Afternoon in Springfield on Sunday
Local time
3:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Springfield, IL to Crestwood, IL
Drive Time
3h 49m
Distance
183.5 mi
295 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 37m
★
6 AM
3h 50m
8 AM
4h 15m
10 AM
3h 59m
12 PM
3h 56m
3 PM
4h 0m
5 PM
4h 14m
8 PM
3h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Springfield, IL
Mike Tyurin
Crestwood, IL
Choco Kitty
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Springfield to Crestwood, you are looking at a 183.5-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 49 minutes. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused drive within the Midwest, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip rather than an overnight excursion. You can expect to spend approximately $28 on fuel for the trek, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. By utilizing a combination of the Ken Gray Expressway, I-57, and IL 29, you can navigate between these two Illinois locations efficiently. Whether you are heading north for business or a visit, this route offers a reliable path that keeps your travel time predictable.
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
91.8 miles from Springfield, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a trip defined by its highway-focused nature, with roughly 67% of your travel time spent on major thoroughfares. The road feels like a consistent, efficient connection, punctuated by a significant 46.8-mile stretch on the Ken Gray Expressway where you can settle into a steady pace. While the transition between IL 29 and the interstate system keeps the experience varied, you will primarily be navigating the rhythm of the Midwest highway network. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that prioritizes speed and directness over technical maneuvers. You will find that the character of the road remains relatively stable, allowing you to focus on the road ahead without constant gear changes or complex navigation.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Ken Gray Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 46.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Ken Gray Expressway and I 57. You will hit about 22 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Washington Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 183.5 miles you will encounter 22 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: 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Washington Street
Depart onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North 12th Street
Turn left onto North 12th Street
Navigation decision point
6
2.1 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
IL 29 / North Dirksen Parkway
Turn right onto IL 29 / North Dirksen Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
177.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 35m in
Take the exit toward IL 148
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 45
Toward IL 148
5
183.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 49m in
|
Pinewood Drive
Turn left onto Pinewood Drive
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ken Gray Expressway | 46.8 mi | 50m |
| I 57 | 24.5 mi | 26m |
| 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 |
| US 50 | 7.6 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
Ken Gray Expressway
— 46.8 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield, IL and Crestwood, IL.
1
Start on East Washington Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
East Washington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Turn left onto North 12th Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
North 12th Street
3
Turn straight onto IL 97
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Clear Lake Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Turn right onto IL 29
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Dirksen Parkway
Use the none lane.
5
Turn left onto IL 29
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
IL 29
Use the left lane.
6
Turn straight onto IL 29
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
IL 29
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on IL 29
4.7 mi
·
7 min
·
IL 29
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on IL 29
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
IL 29
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on IL 29
16 mi
·
19 min
·
IL 29
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on IL 29
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
North Webster Street
Use the none lane.
11
Turn left onto IL 29
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
West Park Street
12
Continue on IL 29
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
State Route 29
13
Continue on IL 29
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
N 2000 East Road
14
Continue on IL 29
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Washington Street
15
Turn right onto North Poplar Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Poplar Street
16
Turn straight onto US 51
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Fair Avenue
17
Continue on US 51
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road 2400 E
18
Continue on US 51
15 mi
·
17 min
·
300 East Road
19
Continue on US 51
11 mi
·
12 min
·
County Road 875 East
20
Continue on US 51
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Kennedy Boulevard
21
Turn left onto US 40; US 51; IL 185
0.5 mi
·
34 sec
·
West Gallatin Street
22
Turn right
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
23
Continue on US 51
13 mi
·
15 min
·
United States Highway 51
24
Continue on US 51
10 mi
·
11 min
·
250E
25
Turn left onto US 50
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
US 50
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
27
Merge onto I 57
24 mi
·
26 min
·
I 57
28
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
47 mi
·
50 min
·
Ken Gray Expressway
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 45
Toward IL 148
30
Turn right onto IL 148
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
IL 148
31
Turn left onto IL 37
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
IL 37
32
Turn right onto Lake Egypt Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Lake Egypt Road
33
Turn right onto Power Plant Road
2.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Power Plant Road
34
Turn left onto McKinney Chapel Road
0.5 mi
·
2 min
·
McKinney Chapel Road
35
Turn right onto Ridgeway
283 ft
·
17 sec
·
Ridgeway
36
Turn left onto Pinewood Drive
385 ft
·
17 sec
·
Pinewood Drive
37
Arrive at destination
Pinewood Drive
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3 hour and 49-minute drive, consider leaving early to avoid potential congestion as you approach the Crestwood area. Plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to break up the 183.5-mile distance and keep your energy levels consistent. Since the route relies heavily on I-57 and the Ken Gray Expressway, monitor traffic reports before you depart to account for any sudden delays on these main arteries. Because this trip is manageable in one day, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference. A smart move is to fill your tank before hitting the interstate, as this helps you stick to your $28 fuel estimate without worrying about finding a station during the longest stretches of the drive.
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 91.8 miles from Springfield, IL, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.8 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 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.8 miles or 2h 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 3h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Crestwood, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 183.5 miles and 3h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Springfield, 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 Ken Gray Expressway for about 46.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 91.8 mi from Springfield, IL · 2h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
92 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 91.8 miles from Springfield, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Crestwood, IL
The final approach into Crestwood, 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 Crestwood, 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
$27.87 one way
$55.74 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
64 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $30.73 | $61.45 |
| premium | $4.80 | $34.64 | $69.28 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $40.77 | $81.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.2 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 | 55.1 | 0 | $19.27 | $8.81 |
| Efficient EV | 45.9 | 0 | $16.06 | $7.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73.4 | 0 | $25.69 | $11.74 |
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.
Destination
Crestwood, IL
Afternoon in Crestwood on Sunday
Local time
3:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°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
9 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 49m 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 Springfield, IL to Crestwood, IL covers 183.5 miles and takes about 3h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ken Gray Expressway, I 57, IL 29. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 91.8 miles from Springfield, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.87 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 183.5 miles you will encounter 22 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: 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.
The route from Springfield, IL to Crestwood, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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