How far is Springfield, IL from Preston Heights, IL?

The driving distance from Springfield, IL to Preston Heights, IL is about 163.6 miles (263.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 142.6 miles (229.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 04m 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
163.63 mi
03h 02m
Flight
142.61 mi
229.51 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
142.61 mi
Kilometers
229.51 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
163.63 mi
Kilometers
263.34 km
Drive Time
03h 02m

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 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Preston Heights
Sun, Apr 19, 6:13 AM CDT
Return by in Springfield
Sun, Apr 19, 9:16 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Springfield
2026-04-19T03:11
Arrive Preston Heights
Sun, Apr 19, 6:13 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:02 AM to 11:02 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
10:56 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
Lexington
IL

City in McLean County, Illinois, United States

From Springfield
81.8 mi
01h 31m
To Preston Heights
81.8 mi
01h 31m

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
53°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Springfield and Preston Heights.

  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

    93.9 mi · 1 hr 41 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East: Indiana

    1.2 km · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    5.9 mi · 7 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 52 East, IL 53 South

    1406 ft · 32 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto South Chicago Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · South Chicago Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Zurich Road

    82 m · 13 sec · Zurich Road

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Haviland Drive

    61 m · 9 sec · Haviland Drive

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Haviland Drive

Car Route Details

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

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
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
153 mi · 93%
I 80 East
6.64 mi · 4%
Clear Lake Avenue
2.29 mi · 1%
South Chicago Street
1.26 mi · 1%
US 52 East
0.27 mi
East Washington Street
0.23 mi
Longest Stretch

I 55 North

Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

93.9 mi · 01h 41m

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 02m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21 mi
142.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lexington
01h 31m from Springfield
Leave By
10:56 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Patchy Frost then Sunny leaving Springfield and Mostly Sunny near Preston Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Springfield to Preston Heights?

The road trip is about 163.6 miles (263.3 km) and usually takes 03h 02m 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?

Lexington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.8 miles from Springfield and 81.8 miles from Preston Heights.

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

The direct path is about 142.6 miles (229.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 21 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 10:56 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.76 one way or $43.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Patchy Frost then Sunny around Springfield and Mostly Sunny near Preston Heights.

Stop Ideas Near Lexington

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 Lexington and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 11.4 mi away

City Hall - Town of Normal

Normal , IL
11 Uptown Circle, Normal, IL 61761
Parking lot
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Meeting point 13.3 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 13.3 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 Lexington.

RAIL

Uptown Station

22 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Pontiac station

29 mi away
721 West Washington St.
RAIL

Dwight station

58 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Rantoul

64 mi away
West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Springfield and Preston Heights. Straight-line distance: 142.61 mi (229.51 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 Preston Heights

Census designated place

Population2,575
Coordinates41.4917000, -88.0817200
Altitude192
CountryUnited States
Start: Springfield (-89.64371, 39.80172)
End: Preston Heights (-88.08172, 41.4917)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 263 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 27m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 05m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 16m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 43m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 20m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 02m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.77 gal
21.86 L · about $21.76
Round trip
$43.52
11.54 gal · 43.72 L
Estimated CO2
51.3 kg one way
Round trip: 102.6 kg / 226 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.76 $43.52
Mid-grade $4.25 $24.54 $49.08
Premium $4.65 $26.85 $53.71
Diesel $5.30 $30.60 $61.21

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 Preston Heights. The current time is 03:11:35.

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.