How far is Prairie Grove, IL from Springfield, IL?

The driving distance from Prairie Grove, IL to Springfield, IL is about 231 miles (371.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 185.7 miles (298.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
230.98 mi
03h 49m
Flight
185.68 mi
298.83 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Prairie Grove.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
185.68 mi
Kilometers
298.83 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
230.98 mi
Kilometers
371.73 km
Drive Time
03h 49m

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 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Springfield
Sat, Apr 18, 10:49 AM CDT
Return by in Prairie Grove
Sat, Apr 18, 2:38 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Prairie Grove
2026-04-18T07:00
Arrive Springfield
Sat, Apr 18, 10:49 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:49 AM to 11:49 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:22 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Prairie Grove
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Odell
IL

Township in Livingston County, Illinois

From Prairie Grove
113 mi
01h 54m
To Springfield
117.9 mi
01h 54m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
51°F
Saturday

Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph WNW
Destination
56°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
16 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Prairie Grove and Springfield.

  1. 1

    Start on Barreville Road

    1198 ft · 46 sec · Barreville Road

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Nish Road

    1.8 mi · 5 min · Nish Road

  3. 3

    Turn left onto West State Road

    4.1 mi · 8 min · West State Road

  4. 4

    Continue on West Liberty Street

    2219 ft · 1 min · West Liberty Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right

    1724 ft · 47 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto South Rand Road

    10.1 mi · 13 min · South Rand Road

  7. 7

    Continue on North Rand Road

    2.4 mi · 4 min · North Rand Road

  8. 8

    Take the ramp right toward IL 53 South

    1668 ft · 41 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    4.4 mi · 6 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road

    7 mi · 9 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 355 South Tollway: Joliet

    20.1 mi · 25 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis

    1453 ft · 36 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on Joliet Road South

    1965 ft · 48 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis

    706 ft · 17 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway

    111.5 mi · 2 hr 3 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

    59.5 mi · 1 hr 4 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 97 West

    2280 ft · 43 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto Clear Lake Avenue

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Clear Lake Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on East Jefferson Street

    2261 ft · 1 min · East Jefferson Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto North 7th Street

    124 m · 19 sec · North 7th Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto East Washington Street

    768 ft · 24 sec · East Washington Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Washington Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Prairie Grove 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
22 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
112 mi · 48%
I 55 South
59.9 mi · 26%
I 355 South Tollway
20.1 mi · 9%
South Rand Road
10.1 mi · 4%
I 290 East
7 mi · 3%
IL 53 South
4.67 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Adlai Stevenson Expressway

Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway

112 mi · 02h 03m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 49m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+45.3 mi
185.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Odell
01h 54m from Prairie Grove
Leave By
9:22 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Rain Showers leaving Prairie Grove and Chance Rain Showers near Springfield.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Prairie Grove to Springfield?

The road trip is about 231 miles (371.7 km) and usually takes 03h 49m 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 113 miles from Prairie Grove and 117.9 miles from Springfield.

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

The direct path is about 185.7 miles (298.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:22 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.73 one way or $61.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Prairie Grove and Chance Rain Showers near Springfield.

Stop Ideas Near Odell

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

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

RAIL

Dwight station

13 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Pontiac station

17 mi away
721 West Washington St.
RAIL

Gilman

52 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.
RAIL

Kankakee

57 mi away
199 South East Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Prairie Grove and Springfield. Straight-line distance: 185.68 mi (298.83 km).

Prairie Grove

#1 Prairie Grove

Village in Illinois

Population1,920
Coordinates42.2786300, -88.2609200
Altitude231
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: Barreville Road (-88.26128, 42.278709)
End: East Washington Street (-89.643712, 39.801639)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 372 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 41m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 50m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 17m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 52m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.15 gal
30.85 L · about $30.73
Round trip
$61.47
16.3 gal · 61.7 L
Estimated CO2
72.4 kg one way
Round trip: 144.9 kg / 319 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $30.73 $61.47
Mid-grade $4.25 $34.66 $69.32
Premium $4.65 $37.93 $75.86
Diesel $5.30 $43.23 $86.46

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Prairie Grove and Springfield. The current time is 07:00:03.

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.