How far is Springfield, IL from Ottawa, IL?

The driving distance from Springfield, IL to Ottawa, IL is about 143 miles (230.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 114.6 miles (184.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
143 mi
02h 40m
Flight
114.66 mi
184.52 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Springfield.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
114.66 mi
Kilometers
184.52 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
143 mi
Kilometers
230.13 km
Drive Time
02h 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 02h 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ottawa
Thu, Apr 23, 4:24 AM CDT
Return by in Springfield
Thu, Apr 23, 7:04 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Springfield
2026-04-23T01:43
Arrive Ottawa
Thu, Apr 23, 4:24 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:41 AM to 12:41 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:08 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Springfield
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Normal
IL

Town in McLean County, Illinois, United States

From Springfield
71.5 mi
01h 20m
To Ottawa
71.5 mi
01h 20m

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
81°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    59.6 mi · 1 hr 4 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East: Chicago

    1 km · 57 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    11.1 mi · 12 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 23: De Kalb, Ottawa

    1251 ft · 31 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Columbus Street

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Columbus Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto West Superior Street

    122 m · 16 sec · West Superior Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Clinton Street

    2332 ft · 1 min · Clinton Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    123 m · 12 sec · West Main Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto La Salle Street

    17 m · 2 sec · La Salle Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · La Salle Street

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
66.4 mi · 46%
I 39 North
59.6 mi · 42%
I 80 East
11.8 mi · 8%
Clear Lake Avenue
2.29 mi · 2%
Columbus Street
1.68 mi · 1%
Clinton Street
0.44 mi
Longest Stretch

I 39 North

Take the exit slight right toward I 39 North: Rockford

59.6 mi · 01h 04m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 40m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28.4 mi
114.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Normal
01h 20m from Springfield
Leave By
1:08 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Springfield and Mostly Sunny near Ottawa.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 143 miles (230.1 km) and usually takes 02h 40m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Normal is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.5 miles from Springfield and 71.5 miles from Ottawa.

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

The direct path is about 114.6 miles (184.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:08 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.04 one way or $38.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Normal

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Normal and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 3.5 mi away

City Hall - Town of Normal

Normal , IL
11 Uptown Circle, Normal, IL 61761
Parking lot
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Meeting point 5.7 mi away

City of Bloomington, Illinois

Bloomington , IL
109 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
Rating 3.6/5 8 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 5.7 mi away

Bloomington Finance Department

Bloomington , IL
109 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
City tax office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Normal.

RAIL

Uptown Station

1 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Pontiac station

50 mi away
721 West Washington St.
RAIL

Lincoln

52 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
BUS

Peoria, Illinois

61 mi away
6100 West Everett M. Dirksen Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Springfield and Ottawa. Straight-line distance: 114.66 mi (184.52 km).

Springfield

#1 Springfield

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

Population113,671
Coordinates39.8017200, -89.6437100
Altitude182
CountryUnited States
Ottawa

#2 Ottawa

City in Illinois, United States

Population18,097
Coordinates41.3455900, -88.8425800
Altitude147
CountryUnited States
Start: Springfield (-89.64371, 39.80172)
End: Ottawa (-88.84258, 41.34559)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 230 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 45m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 34m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.05 gal
19.1 L · about $19.04
Round trip
$38.09
10.1 gal · 38.2 L
Estimated CO2
44.9 kg one way
Round trip: 89.8 kg / 198 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.04 $38.09
Mid-grade $4.25 $21.48 $42.96
Premium $4.65 $23.50 $47.01
Diesel $5.30 $26.79 $53.57

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 Ottawa. The current time is 01:43:50.

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.