How far is Pontiac, IL from Decatur, IL?

The driving distance from Pontiac, IL to Decatur, IL is about 111 miles (178.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 102.7 miles (165.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
111.06 mi
02h 02m
Flight
102.64 mi
165.19 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Pontiac.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
102.64 mi
Kilometers
165.19 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
111.06 mi
Kilometers
178.74 km
Drive Time
02h 02m

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 02h 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Decatur
Sun, Apr 19, 1:39 AM CDT
Return by in Pontiac
Sun, Apr 19, 3:42 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Pontiac
2026-04-18T23:36
Arrive Decatur
Sun, Apr 19, 1:39 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:03 AM to 12:03 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:24 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Pontiac
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Zanesville
IL

Township in Montgomery County, Illinois

From Pontiac
55.5 mi
01h 01m
To Decatur
55.6 mi
01h 01m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
61°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph NW
Destination
66°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
16 to 20 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Pontiac and Decatur.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pontiac and Decatur.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    4 m · 3 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Illinois Street

    4.7 mi · 7 min · North Illinois Street

  3. 3

    Continue on South Morrison Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · South Morrison Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on Vandalia Street

    2.8 mi · 5 min · Vandalia Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North, I 70 East

    2235 ft · 55 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    3.8 mi · 4 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City

    44 mi · 47 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 48, IL 127: Raymond, Taylorville, Hillsboro

    1658 ft · 31 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on IL 48, IL 127: Raymond, Taylorville, Hillsboro

    45 m · 3 sec

  10. 10

    Turn straight onto North 22nd Avenue

    7.2 mi · 11 min · North 22nd Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on Sarpy Street

    12.2 mi · 21 min · Sarpy Street

  12. 12

    Continue on County Road 975 N

    3056 ft · 52 sec · County Road 975 N

  13. 13

    Continue on Jaycee Drive

    18.4 mi · 23 min · Jaycee Drive

  14. 14

    Continue on North Railroad Avenue

    12.9 mi · 15 min · North Railroad Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn right onto West South Side Drive

    1.3 km · 1 min · West South Side Drive

  16. 16

    Turn slight left

    1.4 mi · 3 min

  17. 17

    Turn left onto East Wood Street

    155 m · 16 sec · East Wood Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Wood Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Pontiac and Decatur.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
18 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
48.3 mi · 43%
Jaycee Drive
18.4 mi · 17%
North Railroad Avenue
12.9 mi · 12%
Sarpy Street
12.2 mi · 11%
North 22nd Avenue
7.22 mi · 7%
North Illinois Street
4.69 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

I 55 North

Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City

44 mi · 00h 47m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 02m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.3 mi
102.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Zanesville
01h 01m from Pontiac
Leave By
2:24 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Pontiac and Showers And Thunderstorms near Decatur.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Pontiac to Decatur?

The road trip is about 111 miles (178.7 km) and usually takes 02h 02m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Zanesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 55.5 miles from Pontiac and 55.6 miles from Decatur.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 102.7 miles (165.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:24 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.78 one way or $29.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Pontiac and Showers And Thunderstorms near Decatur.

Stop Ideas Near Zanesville

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Zanesville, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Zanesville.

RAIL

Carlinville

21 mi away
128 Alton Rd.
RAIL

Springfield station

53 mi away
East Washington and North Third Sts.
RAIL

Alton

62 mi away
3400 College Ave.
RAIL

Gateway Transportation Center

91 mi away
551 South 16th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Pontiac and Decatur. Straight-line distance: 102.64 mi (165.19 km).

Pontiac

#1 Pontiac

City in Illinois, USA

Population11,176
Coordinates38.5872700, -89.9848300
Altitude176
CountryUnited States
Decatur

#2 Decatur

The most populous city in Macon County, Illinois.

Population70,007
Coordinates39.8403100, -88.9548000
Altitude205
CountryUnited States
Start: North Illinois Street (-89.984873, 38.58727)
End: East Wood Street (-88.954801, 39.840341)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 179 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 13m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.92 gal
14.84 L · about $14.78
Round trip
$29.56
7.84 gal · 29.68 L
Estimated CO2
34.8 kg one way
Round trip: 69.7 kg / 154 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $14.78 $29.56
Mid-grade $4.25 $16.67 $33.34
Premium $4.65 $18.24 $36.49
Diesel $5.30 $20.79 $41.58

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

There is no time difference between Pontiac and Decatur. The current time is 23:36:30.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.