How far is Cincinnati, IL from Springfield, IL?

The driving distance from Cincinnati, IL to Springfield, IL is about 174.2 miles (280.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 114.2 miles (183.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 50m 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
174.2 mi
02h 55m
Flight
114.23 mi
183.84 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cincinnati.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
114.23 mi
Kilometers
183.84 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
174.2 mi
Kilometers
280.35 km
Drive Time
02h 55m

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 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Springfield
Sat, Apr 18, 8:13 AM CDT
Return by in Cincinnati
Sat, Apr 18, 11:09 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cincinnati
2026-04-18T05:18
Arrive Springfield
Sat, Apr 18, 8:13 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:55 AM to 12:55 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:40 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cincinnati
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
Vandalia
IL

Township in Fayette County, Illinois

From Cincinnati
78.4 mi
01h 27m
To Springfield
95.9 mi
01h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 16 mph WSW
Destination
56°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
16 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on County Road 1000N

    1 mi · 4 min · County Road 1000N

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 900E

    2 mi · 5 min · 900E

  3. 3

    Turn right onto County Road 800 North

    3.8 mi · 6 min · County Road 800 North

  4. 4

    Continue on North Main Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · North Main Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto West Robinson Avenue

    1.1 mi · 2 min · West Robinson Avenue

  6. 6

    Continue on County Road 610 North

    1506 ft · 25 sec · County Road 610 North

  7. 7

    Continue on County Road 600 North

    4.8 mi · 7 min · County Road 600 North

  8. 8

    Continue on Fairfield Road

    3.5 mi · 5 min · Fairfield Road

  9. 9

    Continue on New Fairfield Road

    7 mi · 10 min · New Fairfield Road

  10. 10

    Continue on Main Street

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Main Street

  11. 11

    Turn straight onto Broadway Street

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Broadway Street

  12. 12

    Take the ramp slight right

    1350 ft · 22 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Ken Gray Expressway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Ken Gray Expressway

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway

    20.5 mi · 22 min · Ken Gray Expressway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval

    2199 ft · 54 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto West Main Street

    2.4 mi · 3 min · West Main Street

  17. 17

    Continue on East Poplar Street

    2.7 mi · 3 min · East Poplar Street

  18. 18

    Continue on Poplar

    2.7 mi · 3 min · Poplar

  19. 19

    Turn right onto 150E

    10.4 mi · 12 min · 150E

  20. 20

    Continue on 300E

    13.5 mi · 15 min · 300E

  21. 21

    Turn left

    2405 ft · 35 sec

  22. 22

    Turn right onto North Kennedy Boulevard

    1.6 mi · 2 min · North Kennedy Boulevard

  23. 23

    Continue on County Road 875 East

    11.1 mi · 13 min · County Road 875 East

  24. 24

    Continue on South Superior Street

    15.1 mi · 17 min · South Superior Street

  25. 25

    Continue on County Road 2400 East

    2 mi · 3 min · County Road 2400 East

  26. 26

    Continue on Fair Avenue

    3070 ft · 2 min · Fair Avenue

  27. 27

    Continue on South Poplar Street

    1675 ft · 29 sec · South Poplar Street

  28. 28

    Turn left onto West 2nd Street

    1948 ft · 1 min · West 2nd Street

  29. 29

    Turn right onto South State Street

    1084 ft · 53 sec · South State Street

  30. 30

    Turn left onto West Washington Street

    1470 ft · 46 sec · West Washington Street

  31. 31

    Continue on N 2000 East Road

    5.4 mi · 8 min · N 2000 East Road

  32. 32

    Continue on State Route 29

    5.1 mi · 8 min · State Route 29

  33. 33

    Continue on East Park Street

    5.3 mi · 8 min · East Park Street

  34. 34

    Turn right onto North Webster Street

    2286 ft · 33 sec · North Webster Street

  35. 35

    Continue on West Springfield Road

    15.7 mi · 19 min · West Springfield Road

  36. 36

    Continue straight

    1.3 mi · 1 min

  37. 37

    Continue straight

    5.4 mi · 8 min

  38. 38

    Continue straight

    1.1 mi · 1 min

  39. 39

    Turn straight

    1 mi · 2 min

  40. 40

    Turn left onto Clear Lake Avenue

    1.8 mi · 4 min · Clear Lake Avenue

  41. 41

    Continue on East Jefferson Street

    2261 ft · 1 min · East Jefferson Street

  42. 42

    Turn left onto North 7th Street

    124 m · 19 sec · North 7th Street

  43. 43

    Turn left onto East Washington Street

    768 ft · 24 sec · East Washington Street

  44. 44

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Washington Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
44 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
25.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Springfield Road
23.4 mi · 13%
Ken Gray Expressway
21.5 mi · 12%
South Superior Street
15.1 mi · 9%
300E
13.5 mi · 8%
County Road 875 East
11.1 mi · 6%
150E
10.4 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Ken Gray Expressway

Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway

20.5 mi · 00h 22m

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 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+60 mi
114.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Vandalia
01h 27m from Cincinnati
Leave By
12:40 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Cincinnati and Chance Rain Showers near Springfield.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 174.2 miles (280.4 km) and usually takes 02h 55m 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?

Vandalia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.4 miles from Cincinnati and 95.9 miles from Springfield.

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

The direct path is about 114.2 miles (183.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 60 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 12:40 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.19 one way or $46.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Cincinnati and Chance Rain Showers near Springfield.

Stop Ideas Near Vandalia

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Vandalia, 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 Vandalia.

RAIL

Centralia station

48 mi away
108 East Broadway
RAIL

Effingham

51 mi away
401 West National Ave.
BUS

Mt. Vernon, IL

73 mi away
102 Potomac Boulevard
RAIL

Carlinville

77 mi away
128 Alton Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cincinnati and Springfield. Straight-line distance: 114.23 mi (183.84 km).

Cincinnati

#1 Cincinnati

Township in Tazewell County, Illinois

Population8,830
Coordinates38.4008800, -88.5119900
Altitude128
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: County Road 1000N (-88.51199, 38.400893)
End: East Washington Street (-89.643712, 39.801639)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 280 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 48m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 21m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 54m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 10m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.15 gal
23.27 L · about $23.19
Round trip
$46.38
12.3 gal · 46.54 L
Estimated CO2
54.7 kg one way
Round trip: 109.3 kg / 241 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.19 $46.38
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.16 $52.31
Premium $4.65 $28.62 $57.24
Diesel $5.30 $32.62 $65.24

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Cincinnati and Springfield. The current time is 05:18:40.

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.