Origin
Springfield, IL
Late night in Springfield on Friday
Local time
2:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Springfield, IL to Danville, IL
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
2h 16m
Distance
119.5 mi
192 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 7m
★
6 AM
2h 16m
8 AM
2h 35m
10 AM
2h 23m
12 PM
2h 21m
3 PM
2h 24m
5 PM
2h 34m
8 PM
2h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Springfield, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Danville, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 119.5-mile drive from Springfield, IL to Danville, IL is an easy, single-day trip, taking about 2 hours and 16 minutes. The route is heavily highway-focused, with 93% of the journey on major interstates, making it a straightforward drive through the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, it's an economical option for a quick getaway. You won't need to plan for overnight stays on this route, offering flexibility in your departure and arrival times. It's a practical choice for anyone looking to cover ground efficiently between these two Illinois cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.8 miles from Springfield, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 16m. Total distance: 119.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a largely highway-focused experience on this route, with 93% of the drive utilizing major interstates like I-72 and I-74. This means you'll encounter mostly fast-paced driving with limited opportunities for slower, scenic detours. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 78.4 miles on I-72, so settle in for a good period of consistent travel. While the majority is interstate, there's a small portion on County Road 1720 North, which might offer a brief change of pace before reaching Danville. Overall, it's a direct path designed for efficient travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 72 is the longest continuous segment at about 78.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 72 and I 74. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near North 12th Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 119.5 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.2 miles (North 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 81.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 83.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North 12th Street
Turn left onto North 12th Street
Navigation decision point
5
81.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
Take the exit toward I 57 North: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 182B
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
5
83.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
Take the exit toward I 74 East: Indianapolis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 237A
Toward I 74 East: Indianapolis
5
114.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
Take the exit toward US 150: Martin Luther King Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 210
Toward US 150: Martin Luther King Drive
7
115 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 150 East: Danville, Kickapoo Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 150 East: Danville, Kickapoo Park
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 72 | 78.4 mi | 1h 24m |
| I 74 | 30.7 mi | 33m |
| County Road 1720 North | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| Clear Lake Avenue | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| I 57 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| East Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Washington Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North 12th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 72
— 78.4 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield, IL and Danville, 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
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Clear Lake Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Continue on I 72; US 36
36 mi
·
39 min
·
I 72; US 36
5
Continue on I 72; US 51
42 mi
·
45 min
·
I 72; US 51
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 182B
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
7
Merge onto I 57
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
I 57
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 237A
Toward I 74 East: Indianapolis
9
Merge onto I 74
31 mi
·
33 min
·
I 74
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 210
Toward US 150: Martin Luther King Drive
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward US 150 East: Danville, Kickapoo Park
12
Turn straight onto US 150
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
County Road 1720 North
13
Continue on US 136
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
East Main Street
14
Arrive at destination
US 136
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2-hour, 16-minute duration, this drive is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing for a flexible departure. You won't need to break up the 119.5 miles, so consider leaving mid-morning to avoid early rush hours and arrive in Danville with plenty of daylight. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; while the estimated cost is only $19, there are no designated stops mentioned, so it's wise to fill up before you leave Springfield or plan a quick stop on I-74 if needed. The long 78.4-mile stretch on I-72 means you'll want to be well-rested before embarking on that segment.
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 59.8 miles from Springfield, IL, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.4 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 26 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.8 miles or 1h 7m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Danville, 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 119.5 miles and 2h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Springfield, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 72 for about 78.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.8 mi from Springfield, IL · 1h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.8 miles from Springfield, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 72 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.4 miles.
Arriving in Danville, IL
The final approach into Danville, 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 Danville, 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
$18.68 one way
$37.36 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.51 | $41.03 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.00 | $45.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.38 | $52.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.9 | 0 | $12.55 | $5.74 |
| Efficient EV | 29.9 | 0 | $10.46 | $4.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.8 | 0 | $16.73 | $7.65 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Danville, IL
Late night in Danville on Friday
Local time
2:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Monticello, IL
60 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
4 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 16m 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 Danville, IL covers 119.5 miles and takes about 2h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 72, I 74, County Road 1720 North. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.8 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 $18.68 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 119.5 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.2 miles (North 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 81.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 83.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Springfield, IL to Danville, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the methodology page.
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