How far is Springfield, IL from Alton, IL?
The driving distance from Springfield, IL to Alton, IL is about 87.2 miles (140.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 69.3 miles (111.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 50m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Springfield and Alton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield and Alton.
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1
Start on East Washington Street
816 ft · 27 sec · East Washington Street
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2
Turn right onto South 11th Street
3 mi · 7 min · South 11th Street
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3
Turn slight right
125 m · 20 sec
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4
Turn straight onto East Stevenson Drive
1981 ft · 48 sec · East Stevenson Drive
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5
Turn slight left
1.2 km · 1 min
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6
Take the ramp straight
108 m · 7 sec
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7
Keep slight left
1255 ft · 24 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
62.2 mi · 1 hr 7 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward IL 140: Alton, Greenville
1756 ft · 43 sec
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10
Turn right onto East State Street
1 km · 1 min · East State Street
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11
Continue on State Route 140
9.6 mi · 13 min · State Route 140
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12
Continue on East Bethalto Drive
1.8 mi · 4 min · East Bethalto Drive
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13
Continue on East MacArthur Drive
1.4 mi · 3 min · East MacArthur Drive
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14
Continue on West Macarthur Drive
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Macarthur Drive
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15
Continue on College Avenue
3.6 mi · 6 min · College Avenue
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward College Avenue
121 m · 8 sec · College Avenue
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17
Exit the roundabout onto College Avenue
1355 ft · 27 sec · College Avenue
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18
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Drive
1.5 km · 1 min · Martin Luther King Drive
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19
Continue on Piasa Street
1877 ft · 37 sec · Piasa Street
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20
Turn left onto West 3rd Street
662 ft · 31 sec · West 3rd Street
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21
Turn right onto Alby Street
36 m · 5 sec · Alby Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Alby Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Springfield and Alton.
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
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
62.2 mi · 01h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Springfield and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Alton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Springfield to Alton?
The road trip is about 87.2 miles (140.3 km) and usually takes 01h 50m 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 43.6 miles from Springfield and 43.6 miles from Alton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 69.3 miles (111.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.9 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 2:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.61 one way or $23.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Springfield and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Alton.
Stop Ideas Near Litchfield
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 Litchfield.
Carlinville
Alton
Springfield station
Gateway Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Springfield and Alton. Straight-line distance: 69.26 mi (111.47 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Alton
City in Madison County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 26,049 |
| Coordinates | 38.8906000, -90.1842800 |
| Altitude | 150 |
| Country | United States |
End: Alton (-90.18428, 38.8906)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 140 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $11.61 | $23.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $13.10 | $26.20 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $14.33 | $28.67 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $16.34 | $32.67 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.