How far is Decatur, IL from Mount Vernon, IL?

The driving distance from Decatur, IL to Mount Vernon, IL is about 122.4 miles (197 km), with a travel time of about 02h 28m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 105.3 miles (169.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 57m 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
122.39 mi
02h 28m
Flight
105.27 mi
169.41 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
105.27 mi
Kilometers
169.41 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
122.39 mi
Kilometers
196.97 km
Drive Time
02h 28m

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 28m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Mount Vernon
Sat, Apr 18, 1:58 AM CDT
Return by in Decatur
Sat, Apr 18, 4:27 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Decatur
2026-04-17T23:29
Arrive Mount Vernon
Sat, Apr 18, 1:58 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 28m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:29 AM to 12:29 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:32 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
Vandalia
IL

Township in Fayette County, Illinois

From Decatur
61.3 mi
01h 14m
To Mount Vernon
61.1 mi
01h 14m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 16 mph S
Destination
86°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 to 13 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Decatur and Mount Vernon.

  1. 1

    Start on East Wood Street

    91 m · 16 sec · East Wood Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Main Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

  3. 3

    Continue on South Business Route 51

    3.8 mi · 6 min · South Business Route 51

  4. 4

    Take the ramp straight toward South Business Route 51

    19.6 mi · 24 min · South Business Route 51

  5. 5

    Continue on North 2600 East Rd

    7.9 mi · 9 min · North 2600 East Rd

  6. 6

    Turn right onto North 2600 East Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · North 2600 East Road

  7. 7

    Continue on Jackson Street

    2668 ft · 2 min · Jackson Street

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Cedar Street

    142 m · 8 sec · Cedar Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto East 1st Street

    2150 ft · 1 min · East 1st Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto South Poplar Street

    2138 ft · 30 sec · South Poplar Street

  11. 11

    Turn straight onto Fair Avenue

    3070 ft · 2 min · Fair Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on County Road 2400 E

    2 mi · 3 min · County Road 2400 E

  13. 13

    Continue on 300 East Road

    15.1 mi · 17 min · 300 East Road

  14. 14

    Continue on County Road 875 East

    11.1 mi · 13 min · County Road 875 East

  15. 15

    Continue on North Kennedy Boulevard

    1.5 mi · 2 min · North Kennedy Boulevard

  16. 16

    Turn left onto West Gallatin Street

    2405 ft · 34 sec · West Gallatin Street

  17. 17

    Turn right

    554 ft · 7 sec

  18. 18

    Continue on United States Highway 51

    13.4 mi · 15 min · United States Highway 51

  19. 19

    Continue on 250E

    10.4 mi · 12 min · 250E

  20. 20

    Turn left

    7.6 mi · 9 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit left

    1847 ft · 45 sec

  22. 22

    Merge slight left

    21.4 mi · 23 min

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 15: Ashley, Mt. Vernon

    1624 ft · 42 sec

  24. 24

    Turn straight onto Broadway Street

    2.8 mi · 5 min · Broadway Street

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Broadway Street

Car Route Details

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

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
25 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
250E
32.2 mi · 26%
South Business Route 51
23.4 mi · 19%
300 East Road
15.1 mi · 12%
United States Highway 51
13.4 mi · 11%
County Road 875 East
11.1 mi · 9%
North 2600 East Rd
7.95 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

250E

Merge slight left

21.4 mi · 00h 23m

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 28m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.1 mi
105.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Vandalia
01h 14m from Decatur
Leave By
1:32 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Decatur and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Mount Vernon.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Decatur to Mount Vernon?

The road trip is about 122.4 miles (197 km) and usually takes 02h 28m 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 61.3 miles from Decatur and 61.1 miles from Mount Vernon.

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

The direct path is about 105.3 miles (169.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.1 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 1:32 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.29 one way or $32.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Decatur and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Mount Vernon.

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 Decatur and Mount Vernon. Straight-line distance: 105.27 mi (169.41 km).

Decatur

#1 Decatur

The most populous city in Macon County, Illinois.

Population70,007
Coordinates39.8403100, -88.9548000
Altitude205
CountryUnited States
Mount Vernon

#2 Mount Vernon

City located near the center of Jefferson County, Illinois, United States

Population14,511
Coordinates38.3172700, -88.9031200
Altitude156
CountryUnited States
Start: Decatur (-88.9548, 39.84031)
End: Mount Vernon (-88.90312, 38.31727)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 197 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 02m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 44m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.32 gal
16.35 L · about $16.29
Round trip
$32.58
8.64 gal · 32.7 L
Estimated CO2
38.4 kg one way
Round trip: 76.8 kg / 169 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.29 $32.58
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.37 $36.75
Premium $4.65 $20.11 $40.21
Diesel $5.30 $22.91 $45.83

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 Decatur and Mount Vernon. The current time is 23:29:06.

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.