The drive from Springfield, IL to Patton, IL covers 135.4 miles and takes about 3h 13m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South State Route 121, I 72, Route 16 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 33.8 miles on South State Route 121.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.17 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
67.7 miles from Springfield, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 28m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 13m. Total distance: 135.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (65%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 13m highway drive covering 135.4 miles, with most of the trip on South State Route 121 and I 72. The longest continuous stretch is about 33.8 miles on South State Route 121.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South State Route 121 is the longest continuous segment at about 33.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South State Route 121 and I 72. You will hit about 15 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 135.4 miles you will encounter 15 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 32.4 miles (US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 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
32.4 mi into trip|~37m in|US 36
Take the exit onto US 36 toward US 36 East, US 51 South: Decatur, Pana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 133
Toward US 36 East, US 51 South: Decatur, Pana
6
32.8 mi into trip|~38m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 51 South: Pana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 133B
Toward US 51 South: Pana
5
38.3 mi into trip|~45m in
Take the exit toward Decatur, Elwin, Mount Zion
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Decatur, Elwin, Mount Zion
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 Patton, IL, road signs point toward Pana, Decatur, Elwin and Mount Zion.
Pana
32.4 mi in|~37m|via US 36
Decatur
38.3 mi in|~45m
Elwin
38.3 mi in|~45m
Mount Zion
38.3 mi in|~45m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South State Route 121
33.8 mi
48m
I 72
29.5 mi
31m
Route 16
11.2 mi
16m
East Terre Haute Road
7.3 mi
10m
625 N
7.1 mi
10m
Illinois Route 16
6 mi
8m
Dewitt Avenue
5.8 mi
9m
North Terre Haute Road
5.5 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
South State Route 121
— 33.8 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield, IL and Patton, 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
29 mi·31 min·I 72; US 36
5
Take the exit onto US 36
0.3 mi·40 sec·US 36
Exit 133Toward US 36 East, US 51 South: Decatur, Pana
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 133BToward US 51 South: Pana
7
Merge onto US 51
5.0 mi·5 min·US 51
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward Decatur, Elwin, Mount Zion
9
Turn slight left
112 ft·2 sec
10
Turn left onto US 51 Business
0.3 mi·38 sec·South Business Route 51
11
Turn left onto CTH 20
4.2 mi·5 min·West Elwin Road
12
Continue on CTH 30
1.8 mi·3 min·West Main Street
13
Turn right onto IL 121
34 mi·48 min·South State Route 121
14
Continue on IL 121
5.8 mi·9 min·Dewitt Avenue
15
Turn right onto Lerna Road
0.5 mi·55 sec·Lerna Road
16
Turn left onto IL 16
6.0 mi·8 min·Illinois Route 16
17
Continue on IL 16
2.6 mi·4 min·West Lincoln Avenue
18
Continue on IL 16
7.0 mi·10 min·Route 16
19
Continue on IL 16
0.9 mi·1 min·West Ashmore Street
20
Continue on IL 16
4.2 mi·6 min·Route 16
21
Turn left onto IL 16; IL 49
0.1 mi·13 sec·South Front Street
22
Turn right onto IL 16
0.5 mi·46 sec·East Jefferson Street
23
Continue on IL 16
5.4 mi·8 min·East 600th Road
24
Continue on IL 16
7.1 mi·10 min·625 N
25
Keep slight right at fork
510 ft·18 sec
26
Turn straight onto IL 16; IL 133
1.3 mi·1 min·IL 16; IL 133
27
Turn right onto North Terre Haute Road
5.5 mi·7 min·North Terre Haute Road
28
Continue on East Terre Haute Road
7.3 mi·10 min·East Terre Haute Road
29
Turn right onto 74th Place
0.6 mi·2 min·74th Place
30
Turn right onto East 2250th Road
1.4 mi·5 min·East 2250th Road
31
Arrive at destination
East 2250th Road
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 67.7 miles from Springfield, IL, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.8 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 30 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.7 miles or 1h 28m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Patton, 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 135.4 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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 South State Route 121 for about 33.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 67.7 mi from Springfield, IL
· 1h 28m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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
$21.17 one way
$42.34 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$23.24
$46.48
premium
$4.89
$26.06
$52.11
diesel
$5.61
$29.89
$59.79
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: 47.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.6
0
$14.22
$6.50
Efficient EV
33.9
0
$11.85
$5.42
EV Truck/SUV
54.2
0
$18.96
$8.67
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (66% 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
Morning
in Springfield on Saturday
Local time
8:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Patton, IL
Morning
in Patton on Saturday
Local time
8:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°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
2 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 13m 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 Patton, IL covers 135.4 miles and takes about 3h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South State Route 121, I 72, Route 16. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 67.7 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 $21.17 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 135.4 miles you will encounter 15 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 32.4 miles (US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Springfield, IL and Patton, IL, road signs point toward Pana, Decatur, Elwin and Mount Zion.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument.
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.
