How far is Galena, IL from Springfield, IL?
The driving distance from Galena, IL to Springfield, IL is about 235.8 miles (379.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 185.2 miles (298.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 08m 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 04h 04m.
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.
Human settlement in Knox Township, Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Galena and Springfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Galena and Springfield.
-
1
Start on South Bench Street
2297 ft · 2 min · South Bench Street
-
2
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Bench Street
32 m · 11 sec · South Bench Street
-
3
Turn left onto Decatur Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Decatur Street
-
4
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
11.1 mi · 15 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
-
5
Turn right onto Washington Street
4.9 mi · 7 min · Washington Street
-
6
Turn left onto Jefferson Street
1930 ft · 55 sec · Jefferson Street
-
7
Continue on Jefferson Street
14 mi · 21 min · Jefferson Street
-
8
Continue on Chicago Avenue
1.1 mi · 3 min · Chicago Avenue
-
9
Turn right onto Viaduct Road
23.7 mi · 35 min · Viaduct Road
-
10
Continue on South Main Street
1.6 km · 1 min · South Main Street
-
11
Continue on Waller Road
14.9 mi · 22 min · Waller Road
-
12
Continue on 2nd Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · 2nd Avenue
-
13
Turn left
2485 ft · 1 min
-
14
Merge slight left
9.5 mi · 10 min
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
72.3 mi · 1 hr 17 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward I 474 East: Indianapolis
1.6 km · 1 min
-
17
Merge slight left
13.8 mi · 15 min
-
18
Merge slight left
1.4 mi · 1 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward I 155 South: Lincoln
1.2 km · 2 min
-
20
Continue straight
31.8 mi · 34 min
-
21
Merge slight left
28.7 mi · 31 min
-
22
Take the exit slight right toward IL 97 West
2280 ft · 43 sec
-
23
Merge slight left onto Clear Lake Avenue
2.1 mi · 4 min · Clear Lake Avenue
-
24
Continue on East Jefferson Street
2261 ft · 1 min · East Jefferson Street
-
25
Turn left onto North 7th Street
124 m · 19 sec · North 7th Street
-
26
Turn left onto East Washington Street
768 ft · 24 sec · East Washington Street
-
27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Galena 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.
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
72.3 mi · 01h 18m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Galena and Sunny near Springfield.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Galena to Springfield?
The road trip is about 235.8 miles (379.5 km) and usually takes 04h 04m 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?
East Galesburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 118.6 miles from Galena and 117.2 miles from Springfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 185.2 miles (298.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.6 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 8:52 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.37 one way or $62.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 73.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Galena and Sunny near Springfield.
Stop Ideas Near East Galesburg
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 East Galesburg.
Galesburg station
Kewanee
Moline, Illinois
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Galena and Springfield. Straight-line distance: 185.24 mi (298.12 km).
#1 Galena
County seat of Jo Daviess County, Illinois
| Population | 3,151 |
| Coordinates | 42.4166700, -90.4290200 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| 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: 379 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $31.37 | $62.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $35.38 | $70.77 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $38.72 | $77.44 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $44.13 | $88.26 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.