How far is Palos Heights, IL from Springfield, IL?
The driving distance from Palos Heights, IL to Springfield, IL is about 186.8 miles (300.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 161.2 miles (259.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 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 03h 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.
City in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Patchy Frost then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Palos Heights and Springfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palos Heights and Springfield.
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1
Start on the route
13 m · 6 sec
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2
Turn right onto West 123rd Street
15 m · 4 sec · West 123rd Street
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3
Turn left onto Harlem Avenue
7.8 mi · 15 min · Harlem Avenue
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 West: Joliet
2853 ft · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left
22.3 mi · 27 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
1900 ft · 54 sec
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7
Merge slight left
93 mi · 1 hr 40 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
59.5 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward IL 97 West
2280 ft · 43 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Clear Lake Avenue
2.1 mi · 4 min · Clear Lake Avenue
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11
Continue on East Jefferson Street
2261 ft · 1 min · East Jefferson Street
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12
Turn left onto North 7th Street
124 m · 19 sec · North 7th Street
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13
Turn left onto East Washington Street
768 ft · 24 sec · East Washington Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Palos Heights 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.
I 55 South
Merge slight left
93 mi · 01h 40m
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 leaving Palos Heights 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 Palos Heights to Springfield?
The road trip is about 186.8 miles (300.7 km) and usually takes 03h 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?
Chenoa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.3 miles from Palos Heights and 93.5 miles from Springfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 161.2 miles (259.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.6 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 10:52 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.85 one way or $49.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Palos Heights and Patchy Frost then Sunny near Springfield.
Stop Ideas Near Chenoa
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 Chenoa.
Pontiac station
Uptown Station
Dwight station
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Palos Heights and Springfield. Straight-line distance: 161.18 mi (259.4 km).
#1 Palos Heights
City in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 12,375 |
| Coordinates | 41.6680900, -87.7964400 |
| 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: 301 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.85 | $49.70 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.03 | $56.05 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.67 | $61.34 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.95 | $69.91 |
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.