How far is Springfield, IL from Cairo, IL?
The driving distance from Springfield, IL to Cairo, IL is about 225.1 miles (362.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 194.9 miles (313.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 29m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Springfield and Cairo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield and Cairo.
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1
Start on East Washington Street
1206 ft · 42 sec · East Washington Street
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2
Turn left onto North 12th Street
1013 ft · 36 sec · North 12th Street
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3
Turn straight onto Clear Lake Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · Clear Lake Avenue
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4
Turn right onto North Dirksen Parkway
1.6 km · 2 min · North Dirksen Parkway
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5
Turn left
538 ft · 18 sec
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6
Turn straight
1.8 mi · 2 min
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7
Continue straight
4.7 mi · 7 min
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8
Continue straight
1.3 mi · 2 min
-
9
Continue straight
15.7 mi · 20 min
-
10
Continue on North Webster Street
2218 ft · 35 sec · North Webster Street
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11
Turn left onto West Park Street
5.3 mi · 8 min · West Park Street
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12
Continue on State Route 29
5.1 mi · 8 min · State Route 29
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13
Continue on N 2000 East Road
5.4 mi · 8 min · N 2000 East Road
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14
Continue on West Washington Street
1 km · 2 min · West Washington Street
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15
Turn right onto North Poplar Street
3072 ft · 1 min · North Poplar Street
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16
Turn straight onto Fair Avenue
3070 ft · 2 min · Fair Avenue
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17
Continue on County Road 2400 E
2 mi · 3 min · County Road 2400 E
-
18
Continue on 300 East Road
15.1 mi · 17 min · 300 East Road
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19
Continue on County Road 875 East
11.1 mi · 13 min · County Road 875 East
-
20
Continue on North Kennedy Boulevard
1.5 mi · 2 min · North Kennedy Boulevard
-
21
Turn left onto West Gallatin Street
2405 ft · 34 sec · West Gallatin Street
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22
Turn right
554 ft · 7 sec
-
23
Continue on United States Highway 51
13.4 mi · 15 min · United States Highway 51
-
24
Continue on 250E
10.4 mi · 12 min · 250E
-
25
Turn left
7.6 mi · 9 min
-
26
Take the exit left
1847 ft · 45 sec
-
27
Merge slight left
24.5 mi · 27 min
-
28
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
90 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Ken Gray Expressway
-
29
Take the exit slight right toward US 51 South, IL 3 North: Cairo
3.8 mi · 7 min
-
30
Turn slight left onto Washington Avenue
93 m · 9 sec · Washington Avenue
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Springfield and Cairo.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Ken Gray Expressway
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
90 mi · 01h 37m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny leaving Springfield and Sunny near Cairo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Springfield to Cairo?
The road trip is about 225.1 miles (362.2 km) and usually takes 04h 29m 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?
Kell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 112.7 miles from Springfield and 112.4 miles from Cairo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 194.9 miles (313.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:00 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.94 one way or $59.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny around Springfield and Sunny near Cairo.
Stop Ideas Near Kell
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 Kell.
Centralia station
Mt. Vernon, IL
Du Quoin
Effingham
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Springfield and Cairo. Straight-line distance: 194.86 mi (313.6 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 Cairo
City in Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,989 |
| Coordinates | 37.0053300, -89.1764600 |
| Altitude | 95 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cairo (-89.17646, 37.00533)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 362 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.94 | $59.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.77 | $67.54 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $36.95 | $73.91 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $42.11 | $84.23 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.