How far is Springfield, IL from Elwood, IL?
The driving distance from Springfield, IL to Elwood, IL is about 154.5 miles (248.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 136.8 miles (220.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 51m 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 02h 55m.
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.
Township in McLean County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Frost then Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Springfield and Elwood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield and Elwood.
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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
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
82.2 mi · 1 hr 28 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward IL 129 South: Wilmington
1538 ft · 38 sec
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9
Turn straight onto Washington Street
2136 ft · 40 sec · Washington Street
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10
Turn left onto Stripmine Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · Stripmine Road
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11
At the end of the road, turn left onto West Baltimore Street
78 m · 6 sec · West Baltimore Street
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12
Continue on West Balitmore Street
2421 ft · 1 min · West Balitmore Street
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13
Continue on Bridge Street
1008 ft · 29 sec · Bridge Street
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14
Continue on East Baltimore Street
3012 ft · 1 min · East Baltimore Street
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15
Continue on South Chicago Road
6.9 mi · 10 min · South Chicago Road
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16
Turn left onto South Saint Louis Street
556 ft · 32 sec · South Saint Louis Street
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17
Turn left onto East Mississippi Avenue
1137 ft · 39 sec · East Mississippi Avenue
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18
Turn left onto South Chicago Street
15 m · 2 sec · South Chicago Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Chicago Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Springfield and Elwood.
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 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
82.2 mi · 01h 28m
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.
Patchy Frost then Sunny leaving Springfield and Mostly Sunny near Elwood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Springfield to Elwood?
The road trip is about 154.5 miles (248.7 km) and usually takes 02h 55m 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?
Towanda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.2 miles from Springfield and 77.3 miles from Elwood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 136.8 miles (220.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.7 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 12:38 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.55 one way or $41.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Frost then Sunny around Springfield and Mostly Sunny near Elwood.
Stop Ideas Near Towanda
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Town of Normal
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Towanda.
Uptown Station
Pontiac station
Lincoln
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Springfield and Elwood. Straight-line distance: 136.79 mi (220.14 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 Elwood
City in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 2,207 |
| Coordinates | 41.4039200, -88.1117200 |
| Altitude | 197 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elwood (-88.11172, 41.40392)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 249 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.55 | $41.10 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.18 | $46.36 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.36 | $50.73 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $28.91 | $57.81 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.