How far is Springfield, IL from Malta, IL?

The driving distance from Springfield, IL to Malta, IL is about 178.3 miles (286.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 19m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 152.6 miles (245.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 39m 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
178.28 mi
03h 19m
Flight
152.61 mi
245.61 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
152.61 mi
Kilometers
245.61 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
178.28 mi
Kilometers
286.92 km
Drive Time
03h 19m

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 19m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Malta
Thu, Apr 23, 7:28 AM CDT
Return by in Springfield
Thu, Apr 23, 10:48 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Springfield
2026-04-23T04:08
Arrive Malta
Thu, Apr 23, 7:28 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 19m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:20 AM to 11:20 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
10:20 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
Panola
IL

Township in Woodford County, Illinois

From Springfield
89.2 mi
01h 39m
To Malta
89.1 mi
01h 39m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 17 mph S
Destination
79°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 25 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    7.6 mi · 8 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 39 North: Rockford

    100.1 mi · 1 hr 48 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 38: DeKalb, Rochelle

    2078 ft · 51 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right

    126 m · 8 sec

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    2323 ft · 39 sec

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    7.6 mi · 11 min

  13. 13

    Turn right onto North 2nd Street

    2129 ft · 1 min · North 2nd Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Adams Street

    726 ft · 32 sec · Adams Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Adams Street

Car Route Details

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

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
15 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 39 North
100 mi · 56%
I 55 North
66.4 mi · 37%
IL 38
8.47 mi · 5%
Clear Lake Avenue
2.29 mi · 1%
North 2nd Street
0.4 mi
East Washington Street
0.23 mi
Longest Stretch

I 39 North

Take the exit slight right toward I 39 North: Rockford

100 mi · 01h 48m

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 19m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25.7 mi
152.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Panola
01h 39m from Springfield
Leave By
10:20 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Springfield and Mostly Sunny near Malta.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 178.3 miles (286.9 km) and usually takes 03h 19m 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?

Panola is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.2 miles from Springfield and 89.1 miles from Malta.

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

The direct path is about 152.6 miles (245.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.7 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 10:20 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.72 one way or $47.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Springfield and Mostly Sunny near Malta.

Stop Ideas Near Panola

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

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

RAIL

Uptown Station

31 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Pontiac station

34 mi away
721 West Washington St.
BUS

Peoria, Illinois

58 mi away
6100 West Everett M. Dirksen Parkway
RAIL

Dwight station

60 mi away
119 West Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Springfield and Malta. Straight-line distance: 152.61 mi (245.61 km).

Springfield

#1 Springfield

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

Population113,671
Coordinates39.8017200, -89.6437100
Altitude182
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Malta

Village in Illinois, US

Population1,161
Coordinates41.9297500, -88.8609200
Altitude277
CountryUnited States
Start: Springfield (-89.64371, 39.80172)
End: Malta (-88.86092, 41.92975)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 287 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.29 gal
23.81 L · about $23.72
Round trip
$47.44
12.58 gal · 47.62 L
Estimated CO2
55.9 kg one way
Round trip: 111.8 kg / 246 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.72 $47.44
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.75 $53.50
Premium $4.65 $29.27 $58.55
Diesel $5.30 $33.36 $66.72

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

There is no time difference between Springfield and Malta. The current time is 04:08:22.

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.