How far is Decatur, IL from Jacksonville, IL?

The driving distance from Decatur, IL to Jacksonville, IL is about 74.7 miles (120.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 68 miles (109.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 53m 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
74.67 mi
01h 26m
Flight
68.05 mi
109.51 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Decatur.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
68.05 mi
Kilometers
109.51 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
74.67 mi
Kilometers
120.17 km
Drive Time
01h 26m

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 01h 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Jacksonville
Sun, Apr 19, 3:07 AM CDT
Return by in Decatur
Sun, Apr 19, 4:34 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Decatur
2026-04-19T01:41
Arrive Jacksonville
Sun, Apr 19, 3:07 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:27 AM to 11:27 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:36 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Decatur
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
Grandview
IL

City in Sangamon County, Illinois, United States of America

From Decatur
37.3 mi
00h 43m
To Jacksonville
37.4 mi
00h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
56°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 to 16 mph WNW
Destination
58°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Decatur and Jacksonville.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Decatur and Jacksonville.

  1. 1

    Start on East Wood Street

    155 m · 23 sec · East Wood Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Franklin Street

    1982 ft · 49 sec · South Franklin Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto West Eldorado Street

    35.8 mi · 41 min · West Eldorado Street

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South, I 72 West: Saint Louis, Jacksonville

    5.3 mi · 7 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville

    28.9 mi · 31 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 72 Business West: Jacksonville

    1987 ft · 48 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 72 Business West: Jacksonville

    132 m · 12 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Old Route 36

    1 km · 56 sec · Old Route 36

  9. 9

    Continue on East Morton Avenue

    2.5 mi · 4 min · East Morton Avenue

  10. 10

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · South Main Street

  11. 11

    At the end of the road, turn right onto South Central Park Plaza

    10 m · 1 sec · South Central Park Plaza

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Central Park Plaza

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Decatur and Jacksonville.

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
12 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Eldorado Street
35.8 mi · 48%
I 72 West
28.9 mi · 39%
I 55 South
5.27 mi · 7%
East Morton Avenue
2.49 mi · 3%
South Main Street
0.73 mi · 1%
Old Route 36
0.63 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

West Eldorado Street

Turn left onto West Eldorado Street

35.8 mi · 00h 41m

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
01h 26m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.7 mi
68 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Grandview
00h 43m from Decatur
Leave By
3:36 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny leaving Decatur and Sunny near Jacksonville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Decatur to Jacksonville?

The road trip is about 74.7 miles (120.2 km) and usually takes 01h 26m 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?

Grandview is a useful midpoint, sitting about 37.3 miles from Decatur and 37.4 miles from Jacksonville.

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

The direct path is about 68 miles (109.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.7 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 3:36 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.92 one way or $19.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny around Decatur and Sunny near Jacksonville.

Stop Ideas Near Grandview

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

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

RAIL

Springfield station

3 mi away
East Washington and North Third Sts.
RAIL

Lincoln

43 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
RAIL

Carlinville

64 mi away
128 Alton Rd.
RAIL

Uptown Station

94 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Decatur and Jacksonville. Straight-line distance: 68.05 mi (109.51 km).

Decatur

#1 Decatur

The most populous city in Macon County, Illinois.

Population70,007
Coordinates39.8403100, -88.9548000
Altitude205
CountryUnited States
Jacksonville

#2 Jacksonville

City in Morgan County, Illinois, United States

Population18,488
Coordinates39.7339400, -90.2290100
Altitude186
CountryUnited States
Start: Decatur (-88.9548, 39.84031)
End: Jacksonville (-90.22901, 39.73394)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 120 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 14m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 04m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.63 gal
9.97 L · about $9.92
Round trip
$19.84
5.26 gal · 19.94 L
Estimated CO2
23.4 kg one way
Round trip: 46.7 kg / 103 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.92 $19.84
Mid-grade $4.25 $11.19 $22.37
Premium $4.65 $12.24 $24.48
Diesel $5.30 $13.95 $27.90

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Decatur and Jacksonville. The current time is 01:41:02.

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.