How far is Springfield, IL from South Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Springfield, IL to South Chicago, IL is about 199.8 miles (321.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 172.9 miles (278.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 41m 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 03h 50m.
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.
Patchy Frost then Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Springfield and South Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield and South Chicago.
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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
-
4
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North: Chicago
1533 ft · 53 sec
-
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
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
93.9 mi · 1 hr 41 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East: Indiana
1.2 km · 1 min
-
9
Merge slight left
24.8 mi · 30 min
-
10
Take the exit slight left toward I 57 North, I 294 North: Chicago, Wisconsin
2647 ft · 50 sec
-
11
Merge slight left
13.4 mi · 18 min
-
12
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
1.2 km · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward 87th Street
1067 ft · 26 sec
-
14
Turn straight onto South State Street
730 ft · 18 sec · South State Street
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15
Turn right onto East 87th Street
3.6 mi · 7 min · East 87th Street
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16
Turn left onto South Escanaba Avenue
667 ft · 35 sec · South Escanaba Avenue
-
17
Turn left onto East 86th Street
50 m · 9 sec · East 86th Street
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18
Turn right
66 m · 16 sec
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Springfield and South Chicago.
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
93.9 mi · 01h 41m
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.
Patchy Frost then Sunny leaving Springfield and Mostly Sunny near South Chicago.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Springfield to South Chicago?
The road trip is about 199.8 miles (321.5 km) and usually takes 03h 50m 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 99.9 miles from Springfield and 99.9 miles from South Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 172.9 miles (278.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.9 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 9:18 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.59 one way or $53.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Frost then Sunny around Springfield and Mostly Sunny near South Chicago.
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 South Chicago. Straight-line distance: 172.86 mi (278.19 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 South Chicago
Former township in Cook County, Illinois
| Population | 28,095 |
| Coordinates | 41.7397700, -87.5542500 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Chicago (-87.55425, 41.73977)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 322 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.59 | $53.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.98 | $59.97 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.81 | $65.62 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $37.39 | $74.79 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.