Origin
Springfield, IL
Morning in Springfield on Thursday
Local time
10:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 50m
Distance
97.6 mi
157 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Springfield, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Saint Joseph, IL
Vladimir Srajber
The drive from Springfield, IL to Saint Joseph, IL covers 97.6 miles and takes about 1h 50m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North 12th Street, Clear Lake Avenue, I 57 North for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.26 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.
Midpoint
48.8 miles from Springfield, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 50m. Total distance: 97.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Expect a 1h 50m drive with frequent turns across 97.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Springfield, IL to Saint Joseph, IL is easy. At 1h 50m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Springfield, IL to Saint Joseph, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North 12th Street | — | — |
| Clear Lake Avenue | — | — |
| I 57 North | — | — |
| I 74 East | — | — |
| Saint Joseph | — | — |
| North Main Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield, IL and Saint Joseph, IL.
Start on East Washington Street
Turn left onto North 12th Street
Turn straight onto Clear Lake Avenue
Continue straight
Continue straight
Take the exit slight right toward I 57 North: Chicago
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 74 East: Indianapolis
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward Saint Joseph
Turn straight onto North Main Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 21 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.8 miles or 55m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Joseph, IL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Springfield, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Springfield, IL
This is one driving day of about 97.6 miles and 1h 50m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 48.8 mi from Springfield, IL · 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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.
A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 48.8 miles from Springfield, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Saint Joseph, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$15.26 one way
$30.52 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.75 | $33.51 |
| premium | $4.89 | $18.78 | $37.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.55 | $43.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.3 | 0 | $10.25 | $4.68 |
| Efficient EV | 24.4 | 0 | $8.54 | $3.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39 | 0 | $13.66 | $6.25 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Springfield on Thursday
Local time
10:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Saint Joseph on Thursday
Local time
10:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
54°F
Forsyth, IL
49 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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