How far is East Alton, IL from Springfield, IL?

The driving distance from East Alton, IL to Springfield, IL is about 88 miles (141.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 31m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 68.4 miles (110.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 03m 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
87.97 mi
01h 31m
Flight
68.39 mi
110.06 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from East Alton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
68.39 mi
Kilometers
110.06 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
87.97 mi
Kilometers
141.58 km
Drive Time
01h 31m

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 31m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Springfield
Sun, Apr 19, 12:40 AM CDT
Return by in East Alton
Sun, Apr 19, 2:11 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave East Alton
2026-04-18T23:08
Arrive Springfield
Sun, Apr 19, 12:40 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 31m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:32 AM to 11:32 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:26 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in East Alton
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
Litchfield
IL

City in Illinois, United States

From East Alton
41.6 mi
00h 45m
To Springfield
46.4 mi
00h 45m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 17 mph W
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 East Alton and Springfield.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between East Alton and Springfield.

  1. 1

    Start on North Pence Street

    1204 ft · 55 sec · North Pence Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    2392 ft · 1 min · West Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn slight right onto Berkshire Boulevard

    3072 ft · 1 min · Berkshire Boulevard

  4. 4

    Continue on West Airline Court

    2960 ft · 1 min · West Airline Court

  5. 5

    Continue on East Airline Drive

    1.3 mi · 3 min · East Airline Drive

  6. 6

    Turn left onto North Bellwood Drive

    1.4 km · 2 min · North Bellwood Drive

  7. 7

    Turn right onto West Bethalto Drive

    1.8 mi · 4 min · West Bethalto Drive

  8. 8

    Continue on State Route 140

    9.6 mi · 13 min · State Route 140

  9. 9

    Continue on West State Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · West State Street

  10. 10

    Continue on State Route 140

    135 m · 14 sec · State Route 140

  11. 11

    Take the ramp left

    1515 ft · 38 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    61.6 mi · 1 hr 6 min

  13. 13

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

    1.1 km · 1 min

  14. 14

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

    891 ft · 17 sec

  15. 15

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

    3.8 mi · 9 min

  16. 16

    Continue on East Old State Capitol Plaza

    125 m · 16 sec · East Old State Capitol Plaza

  17. 17

    Turn right onto East Washington Street

    1169 ft · 37 sec · East Washington Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Washington Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Route 140
71.6 mi · 81%
I 55 Business North
4.64 mi · 5%
West Bethalto Drive
1.77 mi · 2%
East Airline Drive
1.3 mi · 1%
North Bellwood Drive
0.89 mi · 1%
West State Street
0.79 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

State Route 140

Merge slight left

61.6 mi · 01h 06m

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 31m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.6 mi
68.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Litchfield
00h 45m from East Alton
Leave By
3:26 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving East Alton 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 East Alton to Springfield?

The road trip is about 88 miles (141.6 km) and usually takes 01h 31m 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?

Litchfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 41.6 miles from East Alton and 46.4 miles from Springfield.

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

The direct path is about 68.4 miles (110.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.6 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 3:26 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.69 one way or $23.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Litchfield

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

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

RAIL

Carlinville

23 mi away
128 Alton Rd.
RAIL

Alton

51 mi away
3400 College Ave.
RAIL

Springfield station

70 mi away
East Washington and North Third Sts.
RAIL

Gateway Transportation Center

78 mi away
551 South 16th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between East Alton and Springfield. Straight-line distance: 68.39 mi (110.06 km).

East Alton

#1 East Alton

City in Illinois, United States of America

Population5,922
Coordinates38.8803300, -90.1112200
Altitude132
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: North Pence Street (-90.111365, 38.880359)
End: East Washington Street (-89.643712, 39.801639)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 142 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 55m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 05m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.1 gal
11.75 L · about $11.69
Round trip
$23.38
6.2 gal · 23.5 L
Estimated CO2
27.5 kg one way
Round trip: 55.1 kg / 121 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $11.69 $23.38
Mid-grade $4.25 $13.18 $26.37
Premium $4.65 $14.43 $28.85
Diesel $5.30 $16.44 $32.88

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 East Alton and Springfield. The current time is 23:08:47.

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.