How far is Lancaster, IL from Springfield, IL?
The driving distance from Lancaster, IL to Springfield, IL is about 156.6 miles (252.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 128.7 miles (207.2 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.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in Marion County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Patchy Frost then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lancaster and Springfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lancaster and Springfield.
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1
Start on the route
5.3 mi · 13 min
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2
Continue on East Lancaster Road
3.5 mi · 9 min · East Lancaster Road
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3
Continue on Champion Drive
1.2 km · 2 min · Champion Drive
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4
Continue on County Road 1850 N
2 mi · 5 min · County Road 1850 N
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5
Turn right onto 500E
14.3 mi · 20 min · 500E
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6
Turn left
57.1 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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7
Turn right onto 150E
10.4 mi · 12 min · 150E
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8
Continue on 300E
13.5 mi · 15 min · 300E
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9
Turn left
2405 ft · 35 sec
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10
Turn right onto North Kennedy Boulevard
1.6 mi · 2 min · North Kennedy Boulevard
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11
Continue on County Road 875 East
11.1 mi · 13 min · County Road 875 East
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12
Continue on South Superior Street
15.1 mi · 17 min · South Superior Street
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13
Continue on County Road 2400 East
2 mi · 3 min · County Road 2400 East
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14
Continue on Fair Avenue
3070 ft · 2 min · Fair Avenue
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15
Continue on South Poplar Street
1675 ft · 29 sec · South Poplar Street
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16
Turn left onto West 2nd Street
1948 ft · 1 min · West 2nd Street
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17
Turn right onto South State Street
1084 ft · 53 sec · South State Street
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18
Turn left onto West Washington Street
1470 ft · 46 sec · West Washington Street
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19
Continue on N 2000 East Road
5.4 mi · 8 min · N 2000 East Road
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20
Continue on State Route 29
5.1 mi · 8 min · State Route 29
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21
Continue on East Park Street
5.3 mi · 8 min · East Park Street
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22
Turn right onto North Webster Street
2286 ft · 33 sec · North Webster Street
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23
Continue on West Springfield Road
15.7 mi · 19 min · West Springfield Road
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24
Continue straight
1.3 mi · 1 min
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25
Continue straight
5.4 mi · 8 min
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26
Continue straight
1.1 mi · 1 min
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27
Turn straight
1 mi · 2 min
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28
Turn left onto Clear Lake Avenue
1.8 mi · 4 min · Clear Lake Avenue
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29
Continue on East Jefferson Street
2261 ft · 1 min · East Jefferson Street
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30
Turn left onto North 7th Street
124 m · 19 sec · North 7th Street
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31
Turn left onto East Washington Street
768 ft · 24 sec · East Washington Street
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lancaster and Springfield.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Longest stretch
Turn left
57.1 mi · 01h 10m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny leaving Lancaster and Patchy Frost then Sunny near Springfield.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lancaster to Springfield?
The road trip is about 156.6 miles (252.1 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?
Patoka is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91 miles from Lancaster and 65.7 miles from Springfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 128.7 miles (207.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.9 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 $20.85 one way or $41.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny around Lancaster and Patchy Frost then Sunny near Springfield.
Stop Ideas Near Patoka
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 Patoka.
Centralia station
Mt. Vernon, IL
Effingham
Du Quoin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lancaster and Springfield. Straight-line distance: 128.75 mi (207.21 km).
#1 Lancaster
City in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 1,411 |
| Coordinates | 38.5478300, -87.8653100 |
| Altitude | 148 |
| 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: 252 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.85 | $41.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.52 | $47.04 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.74 | $51.47 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.33 | $58.66 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.