Origin
University Park, IL
Morning in University Park on Thursday
Local time
11:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from University Park, IL to Springfield, IL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 30m
Distance
185.5 mi
299 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 18m
★
6 AM
3h 30m
8 AM
3h 55m
10 AM
3h 39m
12 PM
3h 37m
3 PM
3h 40m
5 PM
3h 54m
8 PM
3h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
University Park, IL
Quang Vuong
Springfield, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 185.5-mile drive from University Park, IL to Springfield, IL, is a straightforward Midwest journey that can easily be completed in about 3 hours and 30 minutes. With 97% of the route on highways, it's an efficient way to travel between these two Illinois locations. The estimated fuel cost is around $29, making it an economical option for a day trip. You'll spend the majority of your time on I-55, which accounts for the longest stretch of uninterrupted driving at 152.5 miles. This route is ideal for a single-day excursion, offering a direct path with minimal detours.
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
92.7 miles from University Park, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 30m. Total distance: 185.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for the most part on this route, with 97% of the travel occurring on major interstates like I-55 and I-80. The drive is characterized by long, uninterrupted stretches, including a significant 152.5-mile segment on I-55. While primarily interstate, you will transition to local roads like Clear Lake Avenue as you approach your destination. This road's personality is largely defined by its efficiency and speed, designed for covering distance quickly across the Midwest landscape.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 152.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 80. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near Kedzie Avenue.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 185.5 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 0.9 miles (Kedzie Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Kedzie Avenue
Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
1.5 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
122.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
|
I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
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 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
6
185.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 29m in
|
North 7th Street
Turn left onto North 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
185.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m in
|
East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 152.5 mi | 2h 44m |
| I 80 | 28 mi | 34m |
| Clear Lake Avenue | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| 167th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East Jefferson Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| California Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| East Washington Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| North 7th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 152.5 mi, about 2h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between University Park, IL and Springfield, IL.
1
Start on Lancaster Drive
130 ft
·
7 sec
·
Lancaster Drive
2
Turn right onto California Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
California Avenue
3
Turn right onto 167th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
167th Street
4
Turn left onto Kedzie Avenue
295 ft
·
7 sec
·
Kedzie Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 80 West
6
Merge onto I 80
28 mi
·
34 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 126A
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
8
Merge onto I 55
93 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
I 55
Use the right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
60 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward IL 97 West
11
Merge onto IL 97
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Clear Lake Avenue
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on IL 97
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn left onto North 7th Street
406 ft
·
18 sec
·
North 7th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
14
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
East Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Arrive at destination
East Washington Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3.5-hour duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. You can easily fit this into your schedule without needing an overnight stay. Plan for one main stop, perhaps around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch your legs, especially given the 152.5-mile longest stretch on I-55. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $29. As you get closer to Springfield, be prepared for the transition from interstate to local roads like Clear Lake Avenue, which will signal your arrival.
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 92.7 miles from University Park, IL, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 152.5 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 41 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.7 miles or 1h 47m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springfield, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving University Park, 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 University Park, IL
This is one driving day of about 185.5 miles and 3h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from University Park, 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 152.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 92.7 mi from University Park, IL · 1h 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 92.7 miles from University Park, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 152.5 miles.
Arriving in Springfield, IL
The final approach into Springfield, 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 Springfield, IL.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.00 one way
$58.00 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $31.84 | $63.68 |
| premium | $4.89 | $35.70 | $71.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.96 | $81.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.7 | 0 | $19.48 | $8.90 |
| Efficient EV | 46.4 | 0 | $16.23 | $7.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.2 | 0 | $25.97 | $11.87 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Destination
Springfield, IL
Morning in Springfield on Thursday
Local time
11:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°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
14 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 30m 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 University Park, IL to Springfield, IL covers 185.5 miles and takes about 3h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, I 80, Clear Lake Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 92.7 miles from University Park, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.00 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 185.5 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 0.9 miles (Kedzie Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from University Park, IL to Springfield, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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