How far is Springfield, IL from Galena, IL?
The driving distance from Springfield, IL to Galena, IL is about 237.2 miles (381.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 185.2 miles (298.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 45m 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 04h 52m.
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.
Human settlement in Knox Township, Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Springfield and Galena.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield and Galena.
-
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
-
4
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North: Chicago
1533 ft · 53 sec
-
5
Merge slight left
29.2 mi · 32 min
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 155 North: Peoria, Hartsburg
32 mi · 34 min
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 74 West: Peoria
1.5 km · 2 min
-
8
Merge slight left
1 mi · 1 min
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 474 West: Moline, Rock Island
14 mi · 15 min
-
10
Take the exit slight left toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
1 mi · 1 min
-
11
Merge slight right
72.4 mi · 1 hr 18 min
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
9.3 mi · 10 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward IL 84: East Moline, Savanna
2827 ft · 1 min
-
14
Keep slight right
48 m · 4 sec
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15
Turn right
41.2 mi · 1 hr 2 min
-
16
At the end of the road, turn left onto Chicago Avenue
1.1 mi · 3 min · Chicago Avenue
-
17
Continue on Main Street
14.4 mi · 21 min · Main Street
-
18
At the end of the road, turn right onto Washington Street
4.9 mi · 7 min · Washington Street
-
19
At the end of the road, turn left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
11.1 mi · 15 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
-
20
Continue on Decatur Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Decatur Street
-
21
Take the exit right
24 m · 4 sec
-
22
Turn right onto South Main Street
2174 ft · 2 min · South Main Street
-
23
Turn left onto Hill Street
77 m · 17 sec · Hill Street
-
24
Turn left onto South Bench Street
16 m · 2 sec · South Bench Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Bench Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Springfield and Galena.
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 74 West
Merge slight right
72.4 mi · 01h 18m
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 then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Galena.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Springfield to Galena?
The road trip is about 237.2 miles (381.7 km) and usually takes 04h 52m 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?
East Galesburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 118.6 miles from Springfield and 118.6 miles from Galena.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 185.2 miles (298.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 52 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 7:14 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.56 one way or $63.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Springfield and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Galena.
Stop Ideas Near East Galesburg
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 East Galesburg.
Galesburg station
Kewanee
Moline, Illinois
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Springfield and Galena. Straight-line distance: 185.24 mi (298.12 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 Galena
County seat of Jo Daviess County, Illinois
| Population | 3,151 |
| Coordinates | 42.4166700, -90.4290200 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
End: Galena (-90.42902, 42.41667)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 382 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $31.56 | $63.13 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $35.60 | $71.20 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $38.95 | $77.91 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $44.39 | $88.79 |
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.