The drive from Springfield, IL to Mount Vernon, IL covers 131.3 miles and takes about 2h 48m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on IL 29, I 57, 300 East Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 23.5 miles on IL 29.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.53 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
65.6 miles from Springfield, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 48m. Total distance: 131.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (55%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Springfield, IL to Mount Vernon, IL covers 131.3 miles and takes about 2h 48m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
IL 29 is the longest continuous segment at about 23.5 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
676 ft477 ft
Total Climb
198 ft
Total Descent
290 ft
Highest Point
676 ft
~46.9 mi in
Elevation Range
199 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Washington Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 131.3 miles you will encounter 13 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 13 key points
These 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 straight lane.
4
3.1 mi into trip|~6m in|IL 29
Turn left onto IL 29
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
128.1 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward IL 15: Ashley, Mt. Vernon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IL 15: Ashley, Mt. Vernon
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
IL 29
23.5 mi
31m
I 57
21.4 mi
23m
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
N 2000 East Road
5.4 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
IL 29
— 23.5 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield, IL and Mount Vernon, 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 straight 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
7
Continue on IL 29
4.7 mi·7 min·IL 29
Use the left 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
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
21 mi·23 min·I 57
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward IL 15: Ashley, Mt. Vernon
29
Turn straight onto IL 15
2.8 mi·5 min·Broadway Street
30
Arrive at destination
IL 15
Trip Plan
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 65.6 miles from Springfield, IL, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.5 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 29 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.6 miles or 1h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mount Vernon, 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 131.3 miles and 2h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 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 IL 29 for about 23.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 65.6 mi from Springfield, IL
· 1h 31m into the drive
The midpoint is around 65.6 miles from Springfield, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Mount Vernon, IL
The final approach into Mount Vernon, 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 Mount Vernon, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.53 one way
$41.05 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$22.54
$45.08
premium
$4.89
$25.27
$50.53
diesel
$5.61
$28.99
$57.98
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.4
0
$13.79
$6.30
Efficient EV
32.8
0
$11.49
$5.25
EV Truck/SUV
52.5
0
$18.38
$8.40
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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 13, 2026
Origin
Springfield, IL
Late night
in Springfield on Saturday
Local time
12:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Clear
SSW 14 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Mount Vernon, IL
Late night
in Mount Vernon on Saturday
Local time
12:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Vandalia, IL
66 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
9 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 48m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 Mount Vernon, IL covers 131.3 miles and takes about 2h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are IL 29, I 57, 300 East Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 65.6 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 $20.53 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.
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 131.3 miles you will encounter 13 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 Mount Vernon, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 477 ft to 676 ft elevation with about 198 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument.
