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Trip from Volo, IL to Springfield, IL

Data updated 1 second ago

Drive Time

4h 21m

Distance

224.5 mi

361 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 8m ★
6 AM
4h 21m
8 AM
4h 48m
10 AM
4h 31m
12 PM
4h 28m
3 PM
4h 32m
5 PM
4h 46m
8 PM
4h 13m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Volo, IL, IL

Volo, IL

Jean-Paul Wettstein

capital city of Illinois and county seat of Sangamon County

Springfield, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Volo, IL to Springfield, IL covers 224.5 miles and takes about 4h 21m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I 55, I 355 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 111.5 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.10 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

112.2 miles from Volo, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a 4h 21m highway drive covering 224.5 miles, with most of the trip on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 55. The longest continuous stretch is about 111.5 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.

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.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 111.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.7 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 224.5 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 17.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.3 miles (I 355): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
17.7 mi into trip | ~25m in

Take the ramp toward IL 53 South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward IL 53 South
8
22.3 mi into trip | ~31m in | IL 53

Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53 toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
8
29.3 mi into trip | ~40m in | I 355

Keep slight left at fork onto I 355 toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Exit 7 Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
8
49.4 mi into trip | ~1h 6m in

Take the exit toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis

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 12A Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
8
161.8 mi into trip | ~3h 10m 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

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Volo, IL and Springfield, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Joliet Road South.

Saint Louis

49.4 mi in | ~1h 6m

Joliet Road South

49.7 mi in | ~1h 6m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Adlai Stevenson Expressway 111.5 mi 2h 2m
I 55 59.5 mi 1h 3m
I 355 20.1 mi 25m
US 12 17.5 mi 24m
IL 53 11.3 mi 14m
Clear Lake Avenue 2.1 mi 4m
East Jefferson Street 0.4 mi 1m
Volo Village Road 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Adlai Stevenson Expressway — 111.5 mi, about 2h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Volo, IL and Springfield, IL.

1

Start on this road

43 ft · 7 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto Volo Village Road

0.2 mi · 47 sec · Volo Village Road
3

Turn right onto US 12; IL 59

0.3 mi · 22 sec · US 12; IL 59
4

Continue on US 12; IL 59

0.1 mi · 7 sec · US 12; IL 59
5

Continue on US 12; IL 59

1.7 mi · 1 min · US 12; IL 59
6

Continue on US 12; IL 59

1.1 mi · 1 min · US 12; IL 59
7

Continue on US 12; IL 59

14 mi · 20 min · US 12; IL 59
Use the left lane.
8

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward IL 53 South Use the right lane.
9

Merge onto IL 53

4.4 mi · 5 min · IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53

7.0 mi · 9 min · IL 53
Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 355

20 mi · 25 min · I 355
Exit 7 Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet Use the slight left lane.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 12A Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward Joliet Road South Use the slight left lane.
14

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Merge onto I 55

112 mi · 2 hr 2 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

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.
17

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 43 sec
Toward IL 97 West
18

Merge onto IL 97

2.1 mi · 4 min · Clear Lake Avenue
Use the straight lane.
19

Continue on IL 97

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20

Turn left onto North 7th Street

406 ft · 18 sec · North 7th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
21

Turn left onto East Washington Street

0.1 mi · 23 sec · East Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
22

Arrive at destination

East Washington Street

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 112.2 miles from Volo, IL, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.5 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 80 miles or 1h 40m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 112.2 miles or 2h 15m 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 34m

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 Volo, 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 Volo, IL

This is one driving day of about 224.5 miles and 4h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Volo, 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 Adlai Stevenson Expressway for about 111.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 112.2 mi from Volo, IL · 2h 15m into the drive

Downtown Normal, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Normal, IL

112 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

Joliet, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Normal, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 112.2 miles from Volo, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.5 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

$35.10 one way

$70.20 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 79 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $38.54 $77.07
premium $4.89 $43.20 $86.41
diesel $5.61 $49.57 $99.13

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$35

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 78.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 67.4 0 $23.57 $10.78
Efficient EV 56.1 0 $19.64 $8.98
EV Truck/SUV 89.8 1 $31.43 $14.37

Gas CO2

79 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 data refreshed 4 hours ago

Origin

Volo, IL

Morning in Volo on Wednesday

Local time

7:14 AM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Springfield, IL

Morning in Springfield on Wednesday

Local time

7:14 AM

CDT

Current temp

66°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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

4h 21m 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 Volo, IL to Springfield, IL covers 224.5 miles and takes about 4h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I 55, I 355. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 112.2 miles from Volo, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.10 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 15 significant decision points across 224.5 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 17.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.3 miles (I 355): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Volo, IL and Springfield, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Joliet Road South.

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