How far is Springfield, IL from South Chicago Heights, IL?
The driving distance from Springfield, IL to South Chicago Heights, IL is about 180.8 miles (291 km), with a travel time of about 03h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 156.6 miles (252 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 09m 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 34m.
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.
City in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Frost then Sunny
Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Springfield and South Chicago Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield and South Chicago Heights.
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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
82.2 mi · 1 hr 28 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward IL 129 South: Wilmington
1538 ft · 38 sec
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9
Turn straight onto Washington Street
2136 ft · 40 sec · Washington Street
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10
Turn left onto Stripmine Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · Stripmine Road
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11
At the end of the road, turn left onto West Baltimore Street
78 m · 6 sec · West Baltimore Street
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12
Continue on West Balitmore Street
2421 ft · 1 min · West Balitmore Street
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13
Continue on Bridge Street
1008 ft · 29 sec · Bridge Street
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14
Continue on East Baltimore Street
3012 ft · 1 min · East Baltimore Street
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15
Continue on South Chicago Road
1.3 km · 2 min · South Chicago Road
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16
Turn right onto West Peotone Road
4 mi · 5 min · West Peotone Road
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17
Continue on West Wilmington Road
12.3 mi · 17 min · West Wilmington Road
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18
Take the ramp left toward I-57 North: Chicago
1335 ft · 33 sec
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19
Merge slight left
7.4 mi · 8 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward Manhattan, Monee
1876 ft · 44 sec
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21
Turn right onto West Monee Manhattan Road
1.4 km · 2 min · West Monee Manhattan Road
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22
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Governors Highway
2.2 mi · 3 min · South Governors Highway
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23
Turn right onto Stuenkel Road
1.3 mi · 3 min · Stuenkel Road
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24
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Steger Monee Road
1 km · 2 min · South Steger Monee Road
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25
Continue on Monee Road
1.2 mi · 3 min · Monee Road
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26
Turn left onto Western Avenue
123 m · 12 sec · Western Avenue
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27
Turn right onto Sauk Trail
2 mi · 4 min · Sauk Trail
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Sauk Trail
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Springfield and South Chicago Heights.
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
82.2 mi · 01h 28m
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 Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny near South Chicago Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Springfield to South Chicago Heights?
The road trip is about 180.8 miles (291 km) and usually takes 03h 34m 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?
Chenoa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.3 miles from Springfield and 90.5 miles from South Chicago Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 156.6 miles (252 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.2 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 9:50 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.06 one way or $48.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Frost then Sunny around Springfield and Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny near South Chicago Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Chenoa
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 Chenoa.
Pontiac station
Uptown Station
Dwight station
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Springfield and South Chicago Heights. Straight-line distance: 156.58 mi (251.99 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 Heights
Village in United States of America
| Population | 3,957 |
| Coordinates | 41.4808700, -87.6378200 |
| Altitude | 218 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Chicago Heights (-87.63782, 41.48087)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 291 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.06 | $48.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.13 | $54.27 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.69 | $59.39 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.84 | $67.68 |
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.