How far is Preston Heights, IL from Springfield, IL?

The driving distance from Preston Heights, IL to Springfield, IL is about 163.4 miles (262.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 142.6 miles (229.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 11m 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
163.38 mi
02h 35m
Flight
142.61 mi
229.51 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Preston Heights.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
142.61 mi
Kilometers
229.51 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
163.38 mi
Kilometers
262.94 km
Drive Time
02h 35m

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 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Springfield
Sun, Apr 19, 6:00 AM CDT
Return by in Preston Heights
Sun, Apr 19, 8:36 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Preston Heights
2026-04-19T03:24
Arrive Springfield
Sun, Apr 19, 6:00 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:36 AM to 12:36 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:18 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Preston Heights
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
Lexington
IL

City in McLean County, Illinois, United States

From Preston Heights
82.2 mi
01h 17m
To Springfield
81.2 mi
01h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
53°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph WNW
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 Preston Heights and Springfield.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Preston Heights and Springfield.

  1. 1

    Start on Haviland Drive

    61 m · 11 sec · Haviland Drive

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Zurich Road

    82 m · 7 sec · Zurich Road

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South Chicago Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · South Chicago Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 West: Moline-Rock Island

    1161 ft · 28 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    6.7 mi · 8 min

  6. 6

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

    1900 ft · 54 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    93 mi · 1 hr 40 min

  8. 8

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

    59.5 mi · 1 hr 4 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 97 West

    2280 ft · 43 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Clear Lake Avenue

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Clear Lake Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on East Jefferson Street

    2261 ft · 1 min · East Jefferson Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto North 7th Street

    124 m · 19 sec · North 7th Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto East Washington Street

    768 ft · 24 sec · East Washington Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Washington Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Preston Heights 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
14 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 South
153 mi · 94%
I 80 West
6.9 mi · 4%
Clear Lake Avenue
2.12 mi · 1%
South Chicago Street
1.41 mi · 1%
IL 97 West
0.43 mi
East Jefferson Street
0.43 mi
Longest Stretch

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.

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 35m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.8 mi
142.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lexington
01h 17m from Preston Heights
Leave By
1:18 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Preston 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 Preston Heights to Springfield?

The road trip is about 163.4 miles (262.9 km) and usually takes 02h 35m 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?

Lexington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.2 miles from Preston Heights and 81.2 miles from Springfield.

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

The direct path is about 142.6 miles (229.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.8 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 1:18 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.72 one way or $43.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Preston Heights and Patchy Frost then Sunny near Springfield.

Stop Ideas Near Lexington

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Lexington and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 11.8 mi away

City Hall - Town of Normal

Normal , IL
11 Uptown Circle, Normal, IL 61761
Parking lot
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Meeting point 13.7 mi away

City of Bloomington, Illinois

Bloomington , IL
109 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
Rating 3.6/5 8 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 13.2 mi away

El Paso City Water Works

El Paso , IL
301 W Front St, El Paso, IL 61738
Water utility company

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Uptown Station

22 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Pontiac station

29 mi away
721 West Washington St.
RAIL

Dwight station

58 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Rantoul

64 mi away
West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Preston Heights and Springfield. Straight-line distance: 142.61 mi (229.51 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Preston Heights

Census designated place

Population2,575
Coordinates41.4917000, -88.0817200
Altitude192
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: Haviland Drive (-88.081612, 41.491703)
End: East Washington Street (-89.643712, 39.801639)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 263 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 05m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 16m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 43m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 20m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 02m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.76 gal
21.82 L · about $21.72
Round trip
$43.44
11.52 gal · 43.64 L
Estimated CO2
51.2 kg one way
Round trip: 102.4 kg / 226 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.72 $43.44
Mid-grade $4.25 $24.50 $48.99
Premium $4.65 $26.81 $53.61
Diesel $5.30 $30.55 $61.10

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 Preston Heights and Springfield. The current time is 03:24:43.

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.