How far is Lake Forest, IL from Springfield, IL?
The driving distance from Lake Forest, IL to Springfield, IL is about 222.6 miles (358.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 194 miles (312.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 20m 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 40m.
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.
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Forest and Springfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Forest and Springfield.
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1
Start on Griffith Road
22 m · 3 sec · Griffith Road
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2
Turn straight onto East Woodland Road
1960 ft · 1 min · East Woodland Road
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Green Bay Road
2060 ft · 1 min · North Green Bay Road
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4
Turn right onto East Deerpath
1.6 km · 3 min · East Deerpath
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5
Take the ramp left toward Deerpath Road
1302 ft · 36 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto South Skokie Highway
926 ft · 12 sec · South Skokie Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward IL 60
534 ft · 14 sec
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8
Continue on W Kennedy Road
2279 ft · 45 sec · W Kennedy Road
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9
Continue on Townline Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Townline Road
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10
Continue on East Townline Road
1.1 km · 1 min · East Townline Road
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11
Take the ramp left toward I 94 Toll East: Indiana
1872 ft · 49 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
5.8 mi · 7 min · Tri-State Tollway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
22.7 mi · 29 min · Tri-State Tollway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
1 km · 1 min
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
2295 ft · 56 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
119.4 mi · 2 hr 13 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
59.5 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward IL 97 West
2280 ft · 43 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Clear Lake Avenue
2.1 mi · 4 min · Clear Lake Avenue
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22
Continue on East Jefferson Street
2261 ft · 1 min · East Jefferson Street
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23
Turn left onto North 7th Street
124 m · 19 sec · North 7th Street
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24
Turn left onto East Washington Street
768 ft · 24 sec · East Washington Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Forest 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
119 mi · 02h 13m
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.
Patchy Fog then Sunny leaving Lake Forest and Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny near Springfield.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Forest to Springfield?
The road trip is about 222.6 miles (358.2 km) and usually takes 03h 40m 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?
Odell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 111.2 miles from Lake Forest and 111.4 miles from Springfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 194 miles (312.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.6 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 9:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.60 one way or $59.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Sunny around Lake Forest and Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny near Springfield.
Stop Ideas Near Odell
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 Odell.
Dwight station
Pontiac station
Gilman
Kankakee
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Forest and Springfield. Straight-line distance: 194.02 mi (312.25 km).
#1 Lake Forest
City in Lake County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 19,379 |
| Coordinates | 42.2586300, -87.8406300 |
| Altitude | 210 |
| 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: 358 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.60 | $59.20 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.39 | $66.77 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $36.53 | $73.07 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $41.64 | $83.27 |
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.