How far is Springfield, IL from Central City, IL?

The driving distance from Springfield, IL to Central City, IL is about 104.3 miles (167.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 90.8 miles (146.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 36m 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
104.36 mi
02h 18m
Flight
90.88 mi
146.25 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Springfield.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
90.88 mi
Kilometers
146.25 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
104.36 mi
Kilometers
167.95 km
Drive Time
02h 18m

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 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Central City
Sun, Apr 19, 9:37 AM CDT
Return by in Springfield
Sun, Apr 19, 11:55 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Springfield
2026-04-19T07:19
Arrive Central City
Sun, Apr 19, 9:37 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:18 AM to 12:18 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:54 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Springfield
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
Oconee
IL

Township in Shelby County, Illinois

From Springfield
52.2 mi
01h 09m
To Central City
52.1 mi
01h 09m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
Sunday

Patchy Frost then Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 14 mph WNW
Destination
61°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 14 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Springfield and Central City.

  1. 1

    Start on East Washington Street

    1206 ft · 42 sec · East Washington Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North 12th Street

    1013 ft · 36 sec · North 12th Street

  3. 3

    Turn straight onto Clear Lake Avenue

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Clear Lake Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto North Dirksen Parkway

    1.6 km · 2 min · North Dirksen Parkway

  5. 5

    Turn left

    538 ft · 18 sec

  6. 6

    Turn straight

    1.8 mi · 2 min

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    4.7 mi · 7 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    1.3 mi · 2 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    15.7 mi · 20 min

  10. 10

    Continue on North Webster Street

    2218 ft · 35 sec · North Webster Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto West Park Street

    5.3 mi · 8 min · West Park Street

  12. 12

    Continue on State Route 29

    5.1 mi · 8 min · State Route 29

  13. 13

    Continue on N 2000 East Road

    5.4 mi · 8 min · N 2000 East Road

  14. 14

    Continue on West Washington Street

    1 km · 2 min · West Washington Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto North Poplar Street

    3072 ft · 1 min · North Poplar Street

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto Fair Avenue

    3070 ft · 2 min · Fair Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on County Road 2400 E

    2 mi · 3 min · County Road 2400 E

  18. 18

    Continue on 300 East Road

    15.1 mi · 17 min · 300 East Road

  19. 19

    Continue on County Road 875 East

    11.1 mi · 13 min · County Road 875 East

  20. 20

    Continue on North Kennedy Boulevard

    1.5 mi · 2 min · North Kennedy Boulevard

  21. 21

    Turn left onto West Gallatin Street

    2405 ft · 34 sec · West Gallatin Street

  22. 22

    Turn right

    554 ft · 7 sec

  23. 23

    Continue on United States Highway 51

    13.4 mi · 15 min · United States Highway 51

  24. 24

    Continue on 250E

    10.4 mi · 12 min · 250E

  25. 25

    Continue on North Mine Street

    135 m · 6 sec · North Mine Street

  26. 26

    Continue on N Mine St

    990 ft · 13 sec · N Mine St

  27. 27

    Continue on North Mine Street

    3231 ft · 54 sec · North Mine Street

  28. 28

    Continue on County Road 180 E

    4.4 mi · 6 min · County Road 180 E

  29. 29

    Continue on North Commercial Street

    988 ft · 23 sec · North Commercial Street

  30. 30

    Turn left onto Hardin Street

    82 m · 12 sec · Hardin Street

  31. 31

    Continue on East Hardin

    677 ft · 32 sec · East Hardin

  32. 32

    Turn right onto North Harrison Street

    23 m · 3 sec · North Harrison Street

  33. 33

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Harrison Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
33 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
31.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North Dirksen Parkway
22.6 mi · 22%
300 East Road
15.1 mi · 14%
United States Highway 51
13.4 mi · 13%
County Road 875 East
11.1 mi · 11%
250E
10.4 mi · 10%
N 2000 East Road
5.37 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

North Dirksen Parkway

Continue straight

15.7 mi · 00h 20m

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 18m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.5 mi
90.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Oconee
01h 09m from Springfield
Leave By
1:54 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Patchy Frost then Sunny leaving Springfield and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny near Central City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Springfield to Central City?

The road trip is about 104.3 miles (167.9 km) and usually takes 02h 18m 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?

Oconee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.2 miles from Springfield and 52.1 miles from Central City.

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

The direct path is about 90.8 miles (146.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.5 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 1:54 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.88 one way or $27.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Patchy Frost then Sunny around Springfield and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny near Central City.

Stop Ideas Near Oconee

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

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

RAIL

Effingham

52 mi away
401 West National Ave.
RAIL

Carlinville

67 mi away
128 Alton Rd.
RAIL

Mattoon station

67 mi away
1718 Broadway Ave.
RAIL

Springfield station

74 mi away
East Washington and North Third Sts.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Springfield and Central City. Straight-line distance: 90.88 mi (146.25 km).

Springfield

#1 Springfield

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

Population113,671
Coordinates39.8017200, -89.6437100
Altitude182
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Central City

City in Illinois, USA

Population1,107
Coordinates38.5489400, -89.1270100
Altitude148
CountryUnited States
Start: Springfield (-89.64371, 39.80172)
End: Central City (-89.12701, 38.54894)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 168 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 28m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 05m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 44m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.68 gal
13.94 L · about $13.88
Round trip
$27.75
7.36 gal · 27.88 L
Estimated CO2
32.7 kg one way
Round trip: 65.4 kg / 144 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.88 $27.75
Mid-grade $4.25 $15.65 $31.30
Premium $4.65 $17.13 $34.25
Diesel $5.30 $19.52 $39.04

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 Springfield and Central City. The current time is 07:19:05.

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.