How far is Springfield, IL from Cortland, IL?
The driving distance from Springfield, IL to Cortland, IL is about 187 miles (300.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 154.7 miles (248.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 55m 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 03h 27m.
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.
City in Woodford County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Springfield and Cortland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield and Cortland.
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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
-
3
Turn straight onto Clear Lake Avenue
2.3 mi · 4 min · Clear Lake Avenue
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4
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North: Chicago
1533 ft · 53 sec
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5
Merge slight left
29.2 mi · 32 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7.6 mi · 8 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 39 North: Rockford
98 mi · 1 hr 45 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 East Toll: Chicago
2930 ft · 50 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
15 mi · 16 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward DeKalb, Sycamore
1739 ft · 49 sec
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12
Keep slight right
50 m · 6 sec
-
13
Turn straight onto Peace Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Peace Road
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14
Turn right onto East Lincoln Highway
1.9 mi · 3 min · East Lincoln Highway
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15
Turn left onto South Somonauk Road
2410 ft · 50 sec · South Somonauk Road
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16
Turn right onto East Chestnut Avenue
6 m · 1 sec · East Chestnut Avenue
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Chestnut Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Springfield and Cortland.
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 39 North
Take the exit slight right toward I 39 North: Rockford
98 mi · 01h 45m
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.
Sunny leaving Springfield and Mostly Sunny near Cortland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Springfield to Cortland?
The road trip is about 187 miles (300.9 km) and usually takes 03h 27m 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?
Minonk is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.5 miles from Springfield and 93.5 miles from Cortland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 154.7 miles (248.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.3 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 10:04 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.89 one way or $49.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Springfield and Mostly Sunny near Cortland.
Stop Ideas Near Minonk
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 Minonk.
Pontiac station
Uptown Station
Dwight station
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Springfield and Cortland. Straight-line distance: 154.63 mi (248.86 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 Cortland
Township in DeKalb County, Illinois
| Population | 4,393 |
| Coordinates | 41.9200300, -88.6887000 |
| Altitude | 275 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cortland (-88.6887, 41.92003)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 301 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.89 | $49.78 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.07 | $56.14 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.72 | $61.43 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $35.01 | $70.01 |
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.