How far is Forest Park, IL from Springfield, IL?
The driving distance from Forest Park, IL to Springfield, IL is about 196.1 miles (315.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 172.5 miles (277.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 03h 09m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Township in Livingston County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Forest Park and Springfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forest Park and Springfield.
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1
Start on Madison Street
13 m · 7 sec · Madison Street
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2
Turn left onto Des Plaines Avenue
2198 ft · 1 min · Des Plaines Avenue
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3
Take the ramp right toward I 290 West: Eisenhower Expressway
925 ft · 25 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Eisenhower Expressway
4.5 mi · 6 min · Eisenhower Expressway
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5
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
5.8 mi · 7 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 355 South: Joliet
1.2 km · 56 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
8.6 mi · 11 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
1453 ft · 36 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Joliet Road South
1965 ft · 48 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
706 ft · 17 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
111.5 mi · 2 hr 3 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
59.5 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward IL 97 West
2280 ft · 43 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Clear Lake Avenue
2.1 mi · 4 min · Clear Lake Avenue
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16
Continue on East Jefferson Street
2261 ft · 1 min · East Jefferson Street
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17
Turn left onto North 7th Street
124 m · 19 sec · North 7th Street
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18
Turn left onto East Washington Street
768 ft · 24 sec · East Washington Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Forest Park and Springfield.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
112 mi · 02h 03m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Forest Park and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Springfield.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Forest Park to Springfield?
The road trip is about 196.1 miles (315.6 km) and usually takes 03h 09m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Rooks Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.5 miles from Forest Park and 97.6 miles from Springfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 172.5 miles (277.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:42 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.10 one way or $52.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Forest Park and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Springfield.
Stop Ideas Near Rooks Creek
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Rooks Creek.
Pontiac station
Dwight station
Uptown Station
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Forest Park and Springfield. Straight-line distance: 172.5 mi (277.61 km).
#1 Forest Park
Village in Illinois
| Population | 13,534 |
| Coordinates | 41.8794800, -87.8136700 |
| Altitude | 190 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Springfield
The capital of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County.
| Population | 113,671 |
| Coordinates | 39.8017200, -89.6437100 |
| Altitude | 182 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Washington Street (-89.643712, 39.801639)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 316 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.10 | $52.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.43 | $58.86 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.21 | $64.41 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.70 | $73.41 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.