How far is Pontiac, IL from Springfield, IL?

The driving distance from Pontiac, IL to Springfield, IL is about 95.1 miles (153.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 85.9 miles (138.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 12m 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
95.15 mi
01h 36m
Flight
85.87 mi
138.2 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
85.87 mi
Kilometers
138.2 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
95.15 mi
Kilometers
153.13 km
Drive Time
01h 36m

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 01h 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Springfield
Sun, Apr 19, 2:43 AM CDT
Return by in Pontiac
Sun, Apr 19, 4:19 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Pontiac
2026-04-19T01:06
Arrive Springfield
Sun, Apr 19, 2:43 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:36 AM to 11:36 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:18 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
Litchfield
IL

City in Illinois, United States

From Pontiac
45.4 mi
00h 48m
To Springfield
49.8 mi
00h 48m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 13 mph NW
Destination
60°F
Sunday

Patchy Frost then Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 14 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    72.8 mi · 1 hr 18 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight left toward I 55 Business North: Springfield

    1.1 km · 1 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 Business North: Springfield

    891 ft · 17 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 Business North: Springfield

    3.8 mi · 9 min

  11. 11

    Continue on East Old State Capitol Plaza

    125 m · 16 sec · East Old State Capitol Plaza

  12. 12

    Turn right onto East Washington Street

    1169 ft · 37 sec · East Washington Street

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Washington Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
13 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
77.1 mi · 81%
North Illinois Street
4.69 mi · 5%
I 55 Business North
4.64 mi · 5%
Vandalia Street
2.76 mi · 3%
South Morrison Avenue
1.27 mi · 1%
East Washington Street
0.22 mi
Longest Stretch

I 55 North

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

72.8 mi · 01h 18m

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
01h 36m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.2 mi
85.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Litchfield
00h 48m from Pontiac
Leave By
3:18 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Pontiac 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 Pontiac to Springfield?

The road trip is about 95.1 miles (153.1 km) and usually takes 01h 36m 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?

Litchfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 45.4 miles from Pontiac and 49.8 miles from Springfield.

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

The direct path is about 85.9 miles (138.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.2 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 3:18 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.67 one way or $25.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Pontiac and Patchy Frost then Sunny near Springfield.

Stop Ideas Near Litchfield

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Litchfield, 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 Litchfield.

RAIL

Carlinville

23 mi away
128 Alton Rd.
RAIL

Alton

51 mi away
3400 College Ave.
RAIL

Springfield station

70 mi away
East Washington and North Third Sts.
RAIL

Gateway Transportation Center

78 mi away
551 South 16th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Pontiac and Springfield. Straight-line distance: 85.87 mi (138.2 km).

Pontiac

#1 Pontiac

City in Illinois, USA

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

#2 Springfield

The capital of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County.

Population113,671
Coordinates39.8017200, -89.6437100
Altitude182
CountryUnited States
Start: North Illinois Street (-89.984873, 38.58727)
End: East Washington Street (-89.643712, 39.801639)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 153 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 22m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 21m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 11m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.36 gal
12.71 L · about $12.67
Round trip
$25.34
6.72 gal · 25.42 L
Estimated CO2
29.9 kg one way
Round trip: 59.7 kg / 132 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $12.67 $25.34
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.29 $28.58
Premium $4.65 $15.64 $31.27
Diesel $5.30 $17.82 $35.64

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 Springfield. The current time is 01:06:54.

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.