How far is Springfield, IL from Fairfield, IL?

The driving distance from Springfield, IL to Fairfield, IL is about 161.4 miles (259.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 120 miles (193.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
161.46 mi
03h 32m
Flight
120.02 mi
193.15 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Springfield.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
120.02 mi
Kilometers
193.15 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
161.46 mi
Kilometers
259.84 km
Drive Time
03h 32m

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 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fairfield
Sun, Apr 19, 5:13 AM CDT
Return by in Springfield
Sun, Apr 19, 8:46 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Springfield
2026-04-19T01:40
Arrive Fairfield
Sun, Apr 19, 5:13 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:33 AM to 11:33 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:54 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Springfield
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Vernon
IL

Village in Illinois, United States

From Springfield
80.7 mi
01h 46m
To Fairfield
80.7 mi
01h 46m

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 Showers then Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 12 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Springfield and Fairfield.

  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

    Turn left

    38 mi · 46 min

  26. 26

    Turn right onto County Road 1400 E

    10.4 mi · 16 min · County Road 1400 E

  27. 27

    Continue on Central Street

    1.5 km · 1 min · Central Street

  28. 28

    Continue on County Road 1800N

    1.4 mi · 2 min · County Road 1800N

  29. 29

    Turn straight onto County Road 1600E

    4.6 mi · 7 min · County Road 1600E

  30. 30

    Continue on Washington Street

    1 mi · 2 min · Washington Street

  31. 31

    Continue on County Road 1600E

    6.4 mi · 10 min · County Road 1600E

  32. 32

    Turn left onto South 1st Street

    18 m · 1 sec · South 1st Street

  33. 33

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 1st Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
33 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North Dirksen Parkway
22.6 mi · 14%
300 East Road
15.1 mi · 9%
United States Highway 51
13.4 mi · 8%
County Road 875 East
11.1 mi · 7%
County Road 1600E
11 mi · 7%
County Road 1400 E
10.4 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn left

38 mi · 00h 46m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 32m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+41.4 mi
120 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Vernon
01h 46m from Springfield
Leave By
9:54 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Patchy Frost then Sunny leaving Springfield and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Fairfield.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Springfield to Fairfield?

The road trip is about 161.4 miles (259.8 km) and usually takes 03h 32m 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?

Vernon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.7 miles from Springfield and 80.7 miles from Fairfield.

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

The direct path is about 120 miles (193.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.4 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 9:54 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.49 one way or $42.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Patchy Frost then Sunny around Springfield and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Fairfield.

Stop Ideas Near Vernon

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

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

RAIL

Centralia station

31 mi away
108 East Broadway
BUS

Mt. Vernon, IL

55 mi away
102 Potomac Boulevard
RAIL

Effingham

59 mi away
401 West National Ave.
RAIL

Carlinville

87 mi away
128 Alton Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Springfield and Fairfield. Straight-line distance: 120.02 mi (193.15 km).

Springfield

#1 Springfield

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

Population113,671
Coordinates39.8017200, -89.6437100
Altitude182
CountryUnited States
Fairfield

#2 Fairfield

City in Illinois, United States

Population4,889
Coordinates38.3789400, -88.3597700
Altitude134
CountryUnited States
Start: Springfield (-89.64371, 39.80172)
End: Fairfield (-88.35977, 38.37894)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 260 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 13m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 00m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.7 gal
21.57 L · about $21.49
Round trip
$42.99
11.4 gal · 43.14 L
Estimated CO2
50.7 kg one way
Round trip: 101.3 kg / 223 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.49 $42.99
Mid-grade $4.25 $24.24 $48.48
Premium $4.65 $26.53 $53.06
Diesel $5.30 $30.23 $60.47

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 Fairfield. The current time is 01:40:45.

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.