Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 30m
Distance
74.3 mi
120 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
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
Washington, IL
Wikimedia Commons
This straightforward 74.3-mile drive from Springfield, IL to Washington, IL is easily manageable as a day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 83% of it utilizing major interstates like I-55 and I-155, making for efficient travel. With an estimated fuel cost of around $12, this is a budget-friendly option for exploring the Midwest. You won't need to worry about overnight stays, and the relatively short duration means you have flexibility in your departure time. It's a practical choice for connecting two points within Illinois without significant detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.2 miles from Springfield, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 43m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 30m. Total distance: 74.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 74.3-mile journey, with 83% of the drive on interstates. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 32 miles on I-155, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the trip. This profile suggests a drive characterized by smooth, high-speed travel, minimizing time spent on slower local roads. The transition between I-55 and I-155 will be the primary change in your driving environment, but overall, the route prioritizes efficiency over varied road types.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 155 and I 55. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Washington Street.
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 74.3 miles you will encounter 14 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 32.2 miles (I 155): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Depart onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto North 12th Street
Navigation decision point
Keep slight left at fork onto I 155 toward I 155 North: Peoria, Hartsburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 74 East: Bloomington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Springfield, IL and Washington, IL, road signs point toward Hartsburg and Morton.
Hartsburg
Morton
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 155 | 32 mi | 34m |
| I 55 | 29.2 mi | 31m |
| South Main Street | 3 mi | 5m |
| Clear Lake Avenue | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Harding Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Washington Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| East Courtland Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| I 74 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield, IL and Washington, IL.
Start on East Washington Street
Turn left onto North 12th Street
Turn straight onto IL 97
Take the exit
Merge onto I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 155
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 74
Take the exit
Turn left onto North Morton Avenue
Turn right onto East Courtland Street
Continue on Harding Road
Turn left onto Washington Road
Continue on South Main Street
Enter roundabout onto US 24 Business
Continue on US 24 Business
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Given the short 1 hour and 30 minute duration, this trip offers great flexibility. You can leave Springfield, IL at your leisure, as there are no required overnight stops. The estimated fuel cost is a modest $12, so ensure your tank is sufficiently full before departing to minimize any potential fuel stops. The route is largely on interstates, so be mindful of merging traffic and speed limits. Since you'll cover a longest stretch of 32 miles on I-155 without significant road changes, it’s a good idea to have your preferred audio or podcast ready for entertainment.
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 16 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.2 miles or 43m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington, 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 74.3 miles and 1h 30m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 37.2 mi from Springfield, IL · 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 37.2 miles from Springfield, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Washington, 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
$11.62 one way
$23.23 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.75 | $25.51 |
| premium | $4.89 | $14.30 | $28.60 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.40 | $32.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.3 | 0 | $7.80 | $3.57 |
| Efficient EV | 18.6 | 0 | $6.50 | $2.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.7 | 0 | $10.40 | $4.76 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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
Evening in Springfield on Friday
Local time
8:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Evening in Washington on Friday
Local time
8:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
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
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Springfield, IL or browse trips ending in Washington, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.
