How far is Chester, IL from Springfield, IL?

The driving distance from Chester, IL to Springfield, IL is about 153 miles (246.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 130.8 miles (210.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
153.01 mi
02h 36m
Flight
130.8 mi
210.51 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Chester.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
130.8 mi
Kilometers
210.51 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
153.01 mi
Kilometers
246.24 km
Drive Time
02h 36m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Springfield
Thu, Apr 23, 4:02 AM CDT
Return by in Chester
Thu, Apr 23, 6:39 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chester
2026-04-23T01:25
Arrive Springfield
Thu, Apr 23, 4:02 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:37 AM to 12:37 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:16 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Chester
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Barnett
IL

Township in DeWitt County, Illinois

From Chester
71.1 mi
01h 18m
To Springfield
81.9 mi
01h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 16 mph S
Destination
81°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 17 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Chester and Springfield.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chester and Springfield.

  1. 1

    Start on East Stacey Street

    38 m · 11 sec · East Stacey Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto State Street

    118 m · 10 sec · State Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Holmes Street

    2470 ft · 32 sec · East Holmes Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Lehmen Drive

    7.8 mi · 9 min · Lehmen Drive

  5. 5

    Continue on South State Street

    17.7 mi · 23 min · South State Street

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    20.1 mi · 30 min

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Illinois Street

    54 m · 4 sec · North Illinois Street

  8. 8

    Exit the rotary onto North Illinois Street

    9.8 mi · 15 min · North Illinois Street

  9. 9

    Continue on South Morrison Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · South Morrison Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue on Vandalia Street

    2.8 mi · 5 min · Vandalia Street

  11. 11

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North, I 70 East

    2235 ft · 55 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    3.8 mi · 4 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City

    72.8 mi · 1 hr 18 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight left toward I 55 Business North: Springfield

    1.1 km · 1 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 Business North: Springfield

    891 ft · 17 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 Business North: Springfield

    3.8 mi · 9 min

  17. 17

    Continue on East Old State Capitol Plaza

    125 m · 16 sec · East Old State Capitol Plaza

  18. 18

    Turn right onto East Washington Street

    1169 ft · 37 sec · East Washington Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Washington Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Chester and Springfield.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
19 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
77.1 mi · 50%
South State Street
37.9 mi · 25%
North Illinois Street
9.78 mi · 6%
Lehmen Drive
7.85 mi · 5%
I 55 Business North
4.64 mi · 3%
Vandalia Street
2.76 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 55 North

Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City

72.8 mi · 01h 18m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 36m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.2 mi
130.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Barnett
01h 18m from Chester
Leave By
1:16 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Chester and Sunny near Springfield.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Chester to Springfield?

The road trip is about 153 miles (246.2 km) and usually takes 02h 36m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Barnett is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.1 miles from Chester and 81.9 miles from Springfield.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 130.8 miles (210.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:16 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.36 one way or $40.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Chester and Sunny near Springfield.

Stop Ideas Near Barnett

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Barnett, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Barnett.

RAIL

Alton

22 mi away
3400 College Ave.
RAIL

Gateway Transportation Center

38 mi away
551 South 16th St.
RAIL

Carlinville

47 mi away
128 Alton Rd.
RAIL

Kirkwood

55 mi away
110 West Argonne Dr.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chester and Springfield. Straight-line distance: 130.8 mi (210.51 km).

Chester

#1 Chester

City in Illinois

Population8,145
Coordinates37.9136600, -89.8220500
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Springfield

#2 Springfield

The capital of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County.

Population113,671
Coordinates39.8017200, -89.6437100
Altitude182
CountryUnited States
Start: East Stacey Street (-89.822149, 37.913582)
End: East Washington Street (-89.643712, 39.801639)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 246 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 05m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 33m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 11m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.4 gal
20.44 L · about $20.36
Round trip
$40.73
10.8 gal · 40.88 L
Estimated CO2
48 kg one way
Round trip: 96 kg / 212 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.36 $40.73
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.97 $45.93
Premium $4.65 $25.13 $50.26
Diesel $5.30 $28.64 $57.28

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Illinois · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Chester and Springfield. The current time is 01:25:50.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.