The drive from Springfield, IL to Vernon Hills, IL covers 215.2 miles and takes about 4h 12m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 55, Veterans Memorial Tollway, IL 53 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 171 miles on I 55.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.64 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
107.6 miles from Springfield, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 12m. Total distance: 215.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 12m highway drive covering 215.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and Veterans Memorial Tollway. The longest continuous stretch is about 171 miles on I 55.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 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 32.2 miles in near I 55.
Driving Effort9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 215.2 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 174 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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.
7
207.4 mi into trip|~3h 56m in|IL 53
Take the exit onto IL 53 toward IL 53, IL 68: Dundee Road
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.
Toward IL 53, IL 68: Dundee Road
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 Vernon Hills, 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
IL 53
7.2 mi
9m
I 290
5.6 mi
6m
North Arlington Heights Road
2.4 mi
4m
State Highway 83
2.3 mi
3m
Clear Lake Avenue
2.3 mi
4m
West Dundee Road
0.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 171 mi, about 3h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield, IL and Vernon Hills, 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: ChicagoUse 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, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 269Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest SuburbsUse 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
6.9 mi·9 min·IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto IL 53
0.3 mi·44 sec·IL 53
Toward IL 53, IL 68: Dundee RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto IL 68
0.9 mi·2 min·West Dundee Road
15
Turn left onto North Arlington Heights Road
2.4 mi·4 min·North Arlington Heights Road
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto IL 83
0.3 mi·31 sec·McHenry Road
17
Continue on IL 83
2.3 mi·3 min·State Highway 83
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on IL 83
0.5 mi·47 sec·Mundelein Road
19
Continue on IL 83
0.2 mi·22 sec·IL RT 83
20
Turn right onto Westmoreland Drive
0.8 mi·3 min·Westmoreland Drive
21
Turn left onto Oakwood Road
35 ft·1 sec·Oakwood Road
22
Arrive at destination
Oakwood 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 107.6 miles from Springfield, IL, or about 2h 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 47 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.6 miles or 2h 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vernon Hills, 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 215.2 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 107.6 mi from Springfield, IL
· 2h 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...
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...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 178.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.64 one way
$67.29 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$36.94
$73.88
premium
$4.89
$41.41
$82.83
diesel
$5.61
$47.51
$95.03
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
$34
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
14 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Bloomington, Illinois
Other
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Lincoln, Illinois
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Bloomington, Illinois
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
State Farm Parking Garage
Bloomington, Illinois
Other
1 DCFC
Electrify America Charging Station
Bloomington, Illinois
Electrify America
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Atlanta, Illinois
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Bloomington, Illinois
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Bloomington, Illinois
EV Connect
1 DCFC
Other: 8
Tesla Destination: 1
Electrify America: 1
ChargePoint: 1
EV Connect: 1
InCharge: 1
Shell Recharge: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.6
0
$22.60
$10.33
Efficient EV
53.8
0
$18.83
$8.61
EV Truck/SUV
86.1
1
$30.13
$13.77
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Evening
in Springfield on Friday
Local time
7:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 14 to 17 mph98% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 17 at 6:23PM CDT until April 17 at 6:45PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued April 17 at 6:23PM CDT until April 17 at 7:15PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Vernon Hills, IL
Evening
in Vernon Hills on Friday
Local time
7:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°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 12m 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 Vernon Hills, IL covers 215.2 miles and takes about 4h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, Veterans Memorial Tollway, IL 53. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 107.6 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 $33.64 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 16 significant decision points across 215.2 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 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 174 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Springfield, IL and Vernon Hills, IL, road signs point toward Peoria and Southwest Suburbs.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
