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Trip from Springfield, IL to Elmwood Park, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 54m

Distance

200 mi

322 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 42m ★
6 AM
3h 54m
8 AM
4h 20m
10 AM
4h 3m
12 PM
4h 1m
3 PM
4h 5m
5 PM
4h 19m
8 PM
3h 47m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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capital city of Illinois and county seat of Sangamon County

Springfield, IL

Wikimedia Commons

village in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Elmwood Park, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Springfield, IL to Elmwood Park, IL covers 200 miles and takes about 3h 54m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 55, Tri-State Tollway, South 1st Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 179.3 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.27 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

100 miles from Springfield, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 179.3 mi 3h 17m
Tri-State Tollway 6.1 mi 7m
South 1st Avenue 3.6 mi 7m
Eisenhower Expressway 3.4 mi 4m
Clear Lake Avenue 2.3 mi 4m
West Fullerton Avenue 1.3 mi 3m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway 0.6 mi <1m
East Washington Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 179.3 mi, about 3h 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Springfield, IL and Elmwood Park, 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

2.3 mi · 4 min · Clear Lake Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
4

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 52 sec
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
5

Merge onto I 55

29 mi · 31 min · I 55
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

29 mi · 31 min · I 55
Toward I 55 North: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

121 mi · 2 hr 14 min · I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

1.6 mi · 3 min
Exit 277A Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin Use the right lane.
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
10

Merge onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit onto I 294

321 ft · 7 sec · Tri-State Tollway
Exit 31 Toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 290 East: Chicago
14

Continue on this road

524 ft · 12 sec · this road
15

Merge onto I 88; IL 110

0.6 mi · 49 sec · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
16

Merge onto I 290; IL 110

3.4 mi · 4 min · Eisenhower Expressway
17

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Exit 20 Toward IL 171: 1st Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Turn slight left onto Bataan Drive

381 ft · 17 sec · Bataan Drive
19

Turn left onto IL 171

3.6 mi · 7 min · South 1st Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
20

Turn right onto West Fullerton Avenue

1.3 mi · 3 min · West Fullerton Avenue
21

Turn right onto North 73rd Court

0.1 mi · 34 sec · North 73rd Court
22

Turn left onto West Belden Avenue

160 ft · 9 sec · West Belden Avenue
23

Turn right

186 ft · 13 sec
24

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 100 miles from Springfield, IL, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 179.3 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 44 miles or 50m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 100 miles or 1h 52m 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 3m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elmwood Park, 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 200 miles and 3h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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 I 55 for about 179.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Normal, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Normal, IL

100 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

Danvers, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

El Paso, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 100 miles from Springfield, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 179.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Magic Kitchen

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Springfield, Illinois

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+12175256975

Visit website

Mr Gyros

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Springfield, Illinois

1 mi

Taco Gringo South

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Springfield, Illinois

1.1 mi

Magic Kitchen

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+12175256975

Visit website

Mr Gyros

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+12175232817

Taco Gringo South

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+12176702905

Visit website

Krekel's Custard & Hamburgers

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Grandview, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+12175254952

Visit website

Subway

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 171.4

Romeoville, Illinois

Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm

+18155243248

Visit website

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Inexpensiv

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+12175445144

Visit website

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately mile 200

Oak Park, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17086132999

Visit website

Taco Bell

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 185.7

Countryside, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+17083545535

Visit website

Friendly Coffee Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 200

Berwyn, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+17084849794

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 71.4

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Rivian Waypoints

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 71.4

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484261

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 71.4

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484273

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 71.4

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 71.4

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 71.4

Normal, Illinois

+13094549590

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 42.9

Atlanta, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 71.4

Normal, Illinois

Visit website

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 185.7

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 21

5 decision points cluster between mile 32.2 and 194.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
32.2 mi into trip | ~38m in | I 55

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
61.5 mi into trip | ~1h 9m in | I 55

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
182.3 mi into trip | ~3h 24m in

Take the exit toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 277A Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
8
190.2 mi into trip | ~3h 35m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Take the exit onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 31 Toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Roc...
7
194.7 mi into trip | ~3h 41m in

Take the exit toward IL 171: 1st Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 20 Toward IL 171: 1st Avenue

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.27 one way

$62.54 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 70 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $34.33 $68.66
premium $4.89 $38.49 $76.98
diesel $5.61 $44.16 $88.31

Estimated Tolls: $0.40

Tri-state Tollway (6.1 mi) $0.36
Reagan Memorial Tollway (0.6 mi) $0.04

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 70 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 60 0 $21.00 $9.60
Efficient EV 50 0 $17.50 $8.00
EV Truck/SUV 80 0 $28.00 $12.80

Gas CO2

70 kg

EV CO2

23 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.

Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Springfield, IL

Afternoon in Springfield on Saturday

Local time

1:20 PM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Elmwood Park, IL

Afternoon in Elmwood Park on Saturday

Local time

1:20 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°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

7 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

3h 54m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

National Monument

In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...

0 mi from route Free
View on nps.gov
Pullman National Historical Park

Pullman National Historical Park

National Historical Park

In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...

18 mi from route ~44 min detour Free near mile 186.2
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

200 mi in 3h 54m, mostly highway — 179.3 mi of that is on I 55.

91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 179.3 mi on I 55.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 32.2 miles in near I 55.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 200 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 32.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Springfield, IL to Elmwood Park, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.

Peoria

61.5 mi in | ~1h 9m | via I 55

About the Cities

Arriving in Elmwood Park, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1914

The Northwest Suburbs are in Chicagoland, primarily in northwestern Cook, southern Lake and northern DuPage County, centered along Metra’s North Central Service, though encompassing areas well beyond the rail line. The Northwestern Suburbs constitute the largest portion of Chicagoland outside of the city. For further-out suburbs, see Fox River Valley.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 54m. Total distance: 200 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 179.3 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.40 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Elmwood Park, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 32.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Elmwood Park, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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