How far is Springfield, IL from Tower Lake, IL?
The driving distance from Springfield, IL to Tower Lake, IL is about 219.6 miles (353.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 185 miles (297.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 30m 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 15m.
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 Tower Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield and Tower Lake.
-
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
-
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
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
112.5 mi · 2 hr 3 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs
2797 ft · 1 min
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 355 North: Northwest Suburbs
1.2 mi · 3 min
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10
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
19.2 mi · 24 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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11
Merge slight left
5.6 mi · 7 min
-
12
Keep slight left
8.9 mi · 12 min
-
13
Continue on Lake Cook Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Lake Cook Road
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14
Continue on North Rand Road
4.4 mi · 5 min · North Rand Road
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15
Turn left onto West Main Street
2018 ft · 53 sec · West Main Street
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16
Continue on State Route 22
1.1 mi · 2 min · State Route 22
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17
Turn right
3.3 mi · 5 min
-
18
Turn left onto Essex Drive
23 m · 9 sec · Essex Drive
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19
Turn left onto North Gateway Drive
93 m · 13 sec · North Gateway Drive
-
20
Turn slight right onto East Tower Drive
1308 ft · 58 sec · East Tower Drive
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Tower Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Springfield and Tower Lake.
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
112 mi · 02h 03m
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 Tower Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Springfield to Tower Lake?
The road trip is about 219.6 miles (353.4 km) and usually takes 04h 15m 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?
Odell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 109.8 miles from Springfield and 109.8 miles from Tower Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 185 miles (297.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.6 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 8:30 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.23 one way or $58.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Frost then Sunny around Springfield and Mostly Sunny near Tower Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Odell
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 Odell.
Dwight station
Pontiac station
Gilman
Kankakee
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Springfield and Tower Lake. Straight-line distance: 185.04 mi (297.79 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 Tower Lake
Lake in Marquette County, Michigan, United States of America
| Population | 1,283 |
| Coordinates | 42.2319700, -88.1520200 |
| Altitude | 238 |
| Country | United States |
End: Tower Lake (-88.15202, 42.23197)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 353 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.23 | $58.45 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $32.96 | $65.92 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $36.07 | $72.14 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $41.11 | $82.21 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.