Origin
Springfield, IL
Late night in Springfield on Wednesday
Local time
5:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Springfield, IL to Fox Lake, IL
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
4h 26m
Distance
230.5 mi
371 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 13m
★
6 AM
4h 27m
8 AM
4h 53m
10 AM
4h 36m
12 PM
4h 33m
3 PM
4h 37m
5 PM
4h 52m
8 PM
4h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Springfield, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Fox Lake, IL
John Baker
Trip Overview
This 230.5-mile drive from Springfield to Fox Lake, Illinois, is designed for a single day, taking about 4 hours and 26 minutes. You'll primarily be on major highways, with 83% of the journey on interstates and tollways, making it a highway-focused trip. The estimated fuel cost is around $36, and you'll encounter one planned stop along the way. Given its manageable length and predominantly highway nature, this route is ideal for a straightforward day trip within the Midwest region. It offers a direct path north through Illinois without significant detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
115.2 miles from Springfield, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-intensive experience on this route, with 83% of your travel occurring on fast-paced roads like I-55 and the Veterans Memorial Tollway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 171 miles on I-55, allowing for sustained travel. While the majority of the drive is on major thoroughfares, you will transition to North Rand Road, offering a change from the interstate. This progression means you'll experience a blend of high-speed travel and more local road conditions as you approach your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 171 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Veterans Memorial Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near North 12th Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 230.5 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 0.2 miles (North 12th Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 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
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
8
174 mi into trip
|
~3h 12m in
Take the exit toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs
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 269
Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest...
6
200.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 47m in
|
IL 53
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Springfield, IL and Fox Lake, IL, road signs point toward Peoria and Southwest Suburbs.
Peoria
61.5 mi in
|
~1h 9m
|
via I 55
Southwest Suburbs
174 mi in
|
~3h 12m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 171 mi | 3h 6m |
| Veterans Memorial Tollway | 19.2 mi | 24m |
| North Rand Road | 14.3 mi | 18m |
| IL 53 | 8.9 mi | 11m |
| US 12 | 6 mi | 7m |
| I 290 | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| Clear Lake Avenue | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Lake Cook Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 171 mi, about 3h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield, IL and Fox Lake, 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
112 mi
·
2 hr 3 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 269
Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 355 North: Northwest Suburbs
10
Merge onto I 355
19 mi
·
24 min
·
Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 290
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
I 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
8.9 mi
·
11 min
·
IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on Lake Cook Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Lake Cook Road
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on US 12
14 mi
·
18 min
·
North Rand Road
Use the right lane.
15
Continue on US 12; IL 59
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 12; IL 59
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on US 12; IL 59
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
US 12; IL 59
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on this road
58 ft
·
6 sec
·
this road
18
Turn left
67 ft
·
4 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour, 26-minute drive, starting early is a good strategy to maximize your daylight and avoid potential traffic, especially as you get closer to the Chicago metropolitan area. With only one suggested stop and a considerable longest stretch of 171 miles on I-55, plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly before you embark on that long segment. The $36 fuel cost is a reasonable estimate, but it's always wise to have a little extra budgeted. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart at a time that suits you best, but keeping an eye on the transition from I-55 to the tollway and then to North Rand Road will help you navigate the final approach.
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 115.2 miles from Springfield, IL, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 171 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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.2 miles or 2h 8m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fox Lake, 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 230.5 miles and 4h 26m.
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 I 55 for about 171 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 115.2 mi from Springfield, IL · 2h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
115 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 115.2 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 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 171 miles.
Arriving in Fox Lake, IL
The final approach into Fox Lake, 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 Fox Lake, IL.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.04 one way
$72.07 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $39.57 | $79.13 |
| premium | $4.89 | $44.36 | $88.72 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $50.89 | $101.78 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.35
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(19.2 mi)
$1.35
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
$36
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.1 | 0 | $24.20 | $11.06 |
| Efficient EV | 57.6 | 0 | $20.17 | $9.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 92.2 | 1 | $32.27 | $14.75 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Fox Lake, IL
Late night in Fox Lake on Wednesday
Local time
5:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°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
3 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
4h 26m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Fox Lake, IL covers 230.5 miles and takes about 4h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, Veterans Memorial Tollway, North Rand Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 115.2 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 $36.04 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 230.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (North 12th Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Between Springfield, IL and Fox Lake, IL, road signs point toward Peoria and Southwest Suburbs.
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