How far is Springfield, IL from Prairie Grove, IL?
The driving distance from Springfield, IL to Prairie Grove, IL is about 212.5 miles (342 km), with a travel time of about 04h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 185.7 miles (298.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 57m 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 28m.
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.
Township in Livingston County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Springfield and Prairie Grove.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield and Prairie Grove.
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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
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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
63.6 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward IL 47: Morris, Dwight
1853 ft · 35 sec
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9
Turn left
32 mi · 39 min
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10
Turn right onto Walker Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Walker Road
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11
Turn left onto Ashley Road
2.8 mi · 4 min · Ashley Road
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12
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Schoolhouse Road
2391 ft · 46 sec · East Schoolhouse Road
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13
Turn left onto Minkler Road
3.4 mi · 5 min · Minkler Road
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Minkler Road
38 m · 4 sec · Minkler Road
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15
Exit the roundabout onto Minkler Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Minkler Road
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16
Continue on Orchard Road
11.2 mi · 19 min · Orchard Road
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17
Turn left onto South Randall Road
24.9 mi · 41 min · South Randall Road
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18
Continue on North Randall Road
2.2 mi · 3 min · North Randall Road
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19
Continue on James R Rakow Road
2.6 mi · 4 min · James R Rakow Road
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20
Turn left
2.6 mi · 4 min
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21
Turn right onto West State Road
1 mi · 2 min · West State Road
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22
Turn left onto Barreville Road
1.5 mi · 5 min · Barreville Road
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Barreville Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Springfield and Prairie Grove.
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
63.6 mi · 01h 08m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Springfield and Rain Showers near Prairie Grove.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Springfield to Prairie Grove?
The road trip is about 212.5 miles (342 km) and usually takes 04h 28m 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?
Rooks Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 106.3 miles from Springfield and 106.2 miles from Prairie Grove.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 185.7 miles (298.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.8 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 8:02 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.28 one way or $56.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Springfield and Rain Showers near Prairie Grove.
Stop Ideas Near Rooks Creek
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 Rooks Creek.
Pontiac station
Dwight station
Uptown Station
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Springfield and Prairie Grove. Straight-line distance: 185.68 mi (298.83 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 Prairie Grove
Village in Illinois
| Population | 1,920 |
| Coordinates | 42.2786300, -88.2609200 |
| Altitude | 231 |
| Country | United States |
End: Prairie Grove (-88.26092, 42.27863)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 342 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $28.28 | $56.57 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $31.90 | $63.80 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $34.91 | $69.81 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $39.78 | $79.56 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.