How far is Springfield, IL from Harvard, IL?
The driving distance from Springfield, IL to Harvard, IL is about 221.1 miles (355.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 188.8 miles (303.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 16m 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 08m.
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 Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Springfield and Harvard.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield and Harvard.
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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
120.7 mi · 2 hr 10 min
-
9
Merge slight left
2.2 mi · 3 min
-
10
Continue straight
1.7 mi · 2 min
-
11
Merge slight right onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
7.3 mi · 8 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward IL 173: West Lane Road
1748 ft · 43 sec
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13
Turn right onto West Lane Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Lane Road
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14
Continue on State Route 173
5.6 mi · 8 min · State Route 173
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15
Continue on West Grove Street
12.4 mi · 18 min · West Grove Street
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16
Turn left onto South Division Street
2722 ft · 48 sec · South Division Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Division Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Springfield and Harvard.
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
121 mi · 02h 10m
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.
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny leaving Springfield and Sunny near Harvard.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Springfield to Harvard?
The road trip is about 221.1 miles (355.8 km) and usually takes 04h 08m 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?
Lostant is a useful midpoint, sitting about 110.6 miles from Springfield and 110.5 miles from Harvard.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 188.8 miles (303.9 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 8:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.41 one way or $58.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny around Springfield and Sunny near Harvard.
Stop Ideas Near Lostant
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 Lostant.
Princeton
Mendota station
Pontiac station
Dwight station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Springfield and Harvard. Straight-line distance: 188.83 mi (303.89 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 Harvard
Private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| Population | 8,979 |
| Coordinates | 42.4222400, -88.6137100 |
| Altitude | 292 |
| Country | United States |
End: Harvard (-88.61371, 42.42224)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 356 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.41 | $58.83 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.17 | $66.35 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $36.30 | $72.60 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $41.37 | $82.74 |
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.