How far is Springfield, IL from Pontiac, IL?

The driving distance from Springfield, IL to Pontiac, IL is about 91.3 miles (147 km), with a travel time of about 01h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 85.9 miles (138.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 37m 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
91.32 mi
01h 48m
Flight
85.87 mi
138.2 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
85.87 mi
Kilometers
138.2 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
91.32 mi
Kilometers
146.96 km
Drive Time
01h 48m

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 01h 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Pontiac
Sun, Apr 19, 2:49 AM CDT
Return by in Springfield
Sun, Apr 19, 4:38 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Springfield
2026-04-19T01:00
Arrive Pontiac
Sun, Apr 19, 2:49 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:49 AM to 11:49 AM CDT

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

Leave by
2:52 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
Litchfield
IL

City in Illinois, United States

From Springfield
45.7 mi
00h 54m
To Pontiac
45.6 mi
00h 54m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
Sunday

Patchy Frost then Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 14 mph WNW
Destination
66°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 13 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Washington Street

    816 ft · 27 sec · East Washington Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South 11th Street

    3 mi · 7 min · South 11th Street

  3. 3

    Turn slight right

    125 m · 20 sec

  4. 4

    Turn straight onto East Stevenson Drive

    1981 ft · 48 sec · East Stevenson Drive

  5. 5

    Turn slight left

    1.2 km · 1 min

  6. 6

    Take the ramp straight

    108 m · 7 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    1255 ft · 24 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis

    77.5 mi · 1 hr 24 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 159 South: Collinsville

    1434 ft · 48 sec

  10. 10

    Continue on Vandalia Street

    3 mi · 5 min · Vandalia Street

  11. 11

    Continue on South Morrison Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · South Morrison Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on North Illinois Street

    4.7 mi · 7 min · North Illinois Street

  13. 13

    Turn left

    4 m · 1 sec

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
14 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 South
77.5 mi · 85%
North Illinois Street
4.68 mi · 5%
South 11th Street
2.98 mi · 3%
Vandalia Street
2.97 mi · 3%
South Morrison Avenue
1.27 mi · 1%
East Stevenson Drive
0.68 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 55 South

Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis

77.5 mi · 01h 24m

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
01h 48m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.4 mi
85.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Litchfield
00h 54m from Springfield
Leave By
2:52 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Patchy Frost then Sunny leaving Springfield and Sunny near Pontiac.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 91.3 miles (147 km) and usually takes 01h 48m 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?

Litchfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 45.7 miles from Springfield and 45.6 miles from Pontiac.

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

The direct path is about 85.9 miles (138.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.4 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 2:52 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.14 one way or $24.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Patchy Frost then Sunny around Springfield and Sunny near Pontiac.

Stop Ideas Near Litchfield

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

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

RAIL

Carlinville

23 mi away
128 Alton Rd.
RAIL

Alton

51 mi away
3400 College Ave.
RAIL

Springfield station

70 mi away
East Washington and North Third Sts.
RAIL

Gateway Transportation Center

78 mi away
551 South 16th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Springfield and Pontiac. Straight-line distance: 85.87 mi (138.2 km).

Springfield

#1 Springfield

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

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

#2 Pontiac

City in Illinois, USA

Population11,176
Coordinates38.5872700, -89.9848300
Altitude176
CountryUnited States
Start: Springfield (-89.64371, 39.80172)
End: Pontiac (-89.98483, 38.58727)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 147 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 16m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 49m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 08m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.22 gal
12.2 L · about $12.14
Round trip
$24.29
6.44 gal · 24.4 L
Estimated CO2
28.6 kg one way
Round trip: 57.2 kg / 126 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $12.14 $24.29
Mid-grade $4.25 $13.69 $27.39
Premium $4.65 $14.99 $29.97
Diesel $5.30 $17.08 $34.16

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

There is no time difference between Springfield and Pontiac. The current time is 01:00:47.

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.