How far is West Chicago, IL from Springfield, IL?

The driving distance from West Chicago, IL to Springfield, IL is about 196.7 miles (316.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 11m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 162.4 miles (261.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 23m 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
196.71 mi
03h 11m
Flight
162.4 mi
261.36 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from West Chicago.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
162.4 mi
Kilometers
261.36 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
196.71 mi
Kilometers
316.57 km
Drive Time
03h 11m

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 11m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Springfield
Thu, Apr 23, 1:10 AM CDT
Return by in West Chicago
Thu, Apr 23, 4:22 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Chicago
2026-04-22T21:59
Arrive Springfield
Thu, Apr 23, 1:10 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 11m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:12 AM to 11:12 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
10:36 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in West Chicago
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
Chenoa
IL

City in Illinois

From West Chicago
92.6 mi
01h 35m
To Springfield
104.1 mi
01h 35m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph E
Destination
77°F
Wednesday

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between West Chicago and Springfield.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between West Chicago and Springfield.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    12 m · 5 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right

    15 m · 6 sec

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East Washington Street

    2624 ft · 57 sec · East Washington Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto South Neltnor Boulevard

    2.1 mi · 4 min · South Neltnor Boulevard

  5. 5

    Continue on Illinois Route 59

    15.5 mi · 27 min · Illinois Route 59

  6. 6

    Continue on North Division Street

    1.9 mi · 4 min · North Division Street

  7. 7

    Turn left onto North Joliet Road

    2.2 mi · 5 min · North Joliet Road

  8. 8

    Take the ramp right toward I 55 South: Bloomington

    1306 ft · 32 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    99.9 mi · 1 hr 48 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

    59.5 mi · 1 hr 4 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 97 West

    2280 ft · 43 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Clear Lake Avenue

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Clear Lake Avenue

  13. 13

    Continue on East Jefferson Street

    2261 ft · 1 min · East Jefferson Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto North 7th Street

    124 m · 19 sec · North 7th Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto East Washington Street

    768 ft · 24 sec · East Washington Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Washington Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between West Chicago and Springfield.

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
16 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 South
160 mi · 81%
Illinois Route 59
15.5 mi · 8%
North Joliet Road
2.23 mi · 1%
Clear Lake Avenue
2.12 mi · 1%
South Neltnor Boulevard
2.08 mi · 1%
North Division Street
1.91 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 55 South

Merge slight left

99.9 mi · 01h 48m

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 11m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+34.3 mi
162.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Chenoa
01h 35m from West Chicago
Leave By
10:36 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving West Chicago and Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny near Springfield.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from West Chicago to Springfield?

The road trip is about 196.7 miles (316.6 km) and usually takes 03h 11m 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 92.6 miles from West Chicago and 104.1 miles from Springfield.

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

The direct path is about 162.4 miles (261.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.3 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 10:36 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.17 one way or $52.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around West Chicago and Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny near Springfield.

Stop Ideas Near Chenoa

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Chenoa, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Chenoa.

RAIL

Pontiac station

17 mi away
721 West Washington St.
RAIL

Uptown Station

34 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Dwight station

46 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Gilman

61 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Chicago and Springfield. Straight-line distance: 162.4 mi (261.36 km).

West Chicago

#1 West Chicago

City in DuPage County, Illinois, United States

Population26,593
Coordinates41.8847500, -88.2039600
Altitude239
CountryUnited States
Springfield

#2 Springfield

The capital of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County.

Population113,671
Coordinates39.8017200, -89.6437100
Altitude182
CountryUnited States
Start: (-88.20396, 41.884802)
End: East Washington Street (-89.643712, 39.801639)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 317 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.94 gal
26.28 L · about $26.17
Round trip
$52.34
13.88 gal · 52.56 L
Estimated CO2
61.7 kg one way
Round trip: 123.4 kg / 272 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $26.17 $52.34
Mid-grade $4.25 $29.52 $59.03
Premium $4.65 $32.30 $64.60
Diesel $5.30 $36.81 $73.62

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between West Chicago and Springfield. The current time is 21:59:00.

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.