How far is Springfield, IL from Lake Catherine, IL?
The driving distance from Springfield, IL to Lake Catherine, IL is about 238.9 miles (384.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 201 miles (323.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 22m 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 41m.
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.
Village in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Frost then Sunny
Widespread Frost then Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Springfield and Lake Catherine.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield and Lake Catherine.
-
1
Start on East Washington Street
1206 ft · 42 sec · East Washington Street
-
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
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
112.5 mi · 2 hr 3 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs
2797 ft · 1 min
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 355 North: Northwest Suburbs
1.2 mi · 3 min
-
10
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
19.2 mi · 24 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
-
11
Merge slight left
5.6 mi · 7 min
-
12
Keep slight left
8.9 mi · 12 min
-
13
Continue on Lake Cook Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Lake Cook Road
-
14
Continue on North Rand Road
14.3 mi · 19 min · North Rand Road
-
15
Continue straight
1.9 mi · 2 min
-
16
Continue straight
2.3 mi · 3 min
-
17
Turn slight right
2.7 mi · 4 min
-
18
Continue on Fox Lake Road
5.9 mi · 10 min · Fox Lake Road
-
19
Turn left onto West IL Route 173
1.6 mi · 2 min · West IL Route 173
-
20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West IL Route 173
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Springfield and Lake Catherine.
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
112 mi · 02h 03m
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.
Patchy Frost then Sunny leaving Springfield and Widespread Frost then Chance Rain Showers near Lake Catherine.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Springfield to Lake Catherine?
The road trip is about 238.9 miles (384.4 km) and usually takes 04h 41m 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?
Dwight is a useful midpoint, sitting about 119.4 miles from Springfield and 119.4 miles from Lake Catherine.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 201 miles (323.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.9 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 7:38 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.79 one way or $63.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Frost then Sunny around Springfield and Widespread Frost then Chance Rain Showers near Lake Catherine.
Stop Ideas Near Dwight
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 Dwight.
Dwight station
Pontiac station
Kankakee
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Springfield and Lake Catherine. Straight-line distance: 200.99 mi (323.46 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 Lake Catherine
Census-designated place in Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,379 |
| Coordinates | 42.4791900, -88.1334200 |
| Altitude | 228 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Catherine (-88.13342, 42.47919)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 384 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $31.79 | $63.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $35.85 | $71.71 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $39.23 | $78.47 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $44.71 | $89.43 |
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.