How far is Springfield, IL from Ford Heights, IL?

The driving distance from Springfield, IL to Ford Heights, IL is about 185.7 miles (298.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 159.5 miles (256.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 20m 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
185.75 mi
03h 40m
Flight
159.5 mi
256.69 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
159.5 mi
Kilometers
256.69 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
185.75 mi
Kilometers
298.94 km
Drive Time
03h 40m

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 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ford Heights
Sun, Apr 19, 2:39 PM CDT
Return by in Springfield
Sun, Apr 19, 6:19 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Springfield
2026-04-19T10:59
Arrive Ford Heights
Sun, Apr 19, 2:39 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:40 AM to 11:40 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
9:40 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
Chenoa
IL

City in Illinois

From Springfield
92.8 mi
01h 50m
To Ford Heights
92.9 mi
01h 50m

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
52°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Springfield and Ford Heights.

  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

    2.3 mi · 4 min · Clear Lake Avenue

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North: Chicago

    1533 ft · 53 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    29.2 mi · 32 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago

    29.4 mi · 31 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

    82.2 mi · 1 hr 28 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 129 South: Wilmington

    1538 ft · 38 sec

  9. 9

    Turn straight onto Washington Street

    2136 ft · 40 sec · Washington Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Stripmine Road

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Stripmine Road

  11. 11

    At the end of the road, turn left onto West Baltimore Street

    78 m · 6 sec · West Baltimore Street

  12. 12

    Continue on West Balitmore Street

    2421 ft · 1 min · West Balitmore Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Bridge Street

    1008 ft · 29 sec · Bridge Street

  14. 14

    Continue on East Baltimore Street

    3012 ft · 1 min · East Baltimore Street

  15. 15

    Continue on South Chicago Road

    1.3 km · 2 min · South Chicago Road

  16. 16

    Turn right onto West Peotone Road

    4 mi · 5 min · West Peotone Road

  17. 17

    Continue on West Wilmington Road

    12.3 mi · 17 min · West Wilmington Road

  18. 18

    Take the ramp left toward I-57 North: Chicago

    1335 ft · 33 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left

    13 mi · 14 min

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward US 30: Lincoln Highway

    1569 ft · 34 sec

  21. 21

    Keep slight right to continue on US 30 East: Lincoln Highway

    577 ft · 12 sec

  22. 22

    Turn straight onto Lincoln Highway

    5 mi · 11 min · Lincoln Highway

  23. 23

    Continue on East Lincoln Highway

    2.6 mi · 6 min · East Lincoln Highway

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Lincoln Highway

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
24 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
141 mi · 76%
I-57 North
13.3 mi · 7%
West Wilmington Road
12.3 mi · 7%
Lincoln Highway
5.05 mi · 3%
West Peotone Road
4.03 mi · 2%
East Lincoln Highway
2.56 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

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 40m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.2 mi
159.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Chenoa
01h 50m from Springfield
Leave By
9:40 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Patchy Frost then Sunny leaving Springfield and Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny near Ford Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Springfield to Ford Heights?

The road trip is about 185.7 miles (298.9 km) and usually takes 03h 40m 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?

Chenoa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.8 miles from Springfield and 92.9 miles from Ford Heights.

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

The direct path is about 159.5 miles (256.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.2 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 9:40 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.70 one way or $49.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Patchy Frost then Sunny around Springfield and Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny near Ford Heights.

Stop Ideas Near Chenoa

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

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

RAIL

Pontiac station

17 mi away
721 West Washington St.
RAIL

Uptown Station

34 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Dwight station

46 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Gilman

61 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Springfield and Ford Heights. Straight-line distance: 159.5 mi (256.69 km).

Springfield

#1 Springfield

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

Population113,671
Coordinates39.8017200, -89.6437100
Altitude182
CountryUnited States
Ford Heights

#2 Ford Heights

Village in United States of America

Population2,647
Coordinates41.5064200, -87.5917100
Altitude202
CountryUnited States
Start: Springfield (-89.64371, 39.80172)
End: Ford Heights (-87.59171, 41.50642)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 299 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 38m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 05m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.55 gal
24.81 L · about $24.70
Round trip
$49.40
13.1 gal · 49.62 L
Estimated CO2
58.2 kg one way
Round trip: 116.4 kg / 257 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $24.70 $49.40
Mid-grade $4.25 $27.86 $55.71
Premium $4.65 $30.48 $60.97
Diesel $5.30 $34.74 $69.48

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 Ford Heights. The current time is 10:59:45.

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.