Andalusia, IL to Champaign, IL is 192.6 miles and takes about 3h 31m via I-74, I-280, and I-474, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Illinois, making it a straightforward connection between two points in the state. With a high percentage of highway driving, you can expect a relatively quick transit. This route is best suited for those looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without significant detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
96.3 miles from Andalusia, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 74
154.2 mi
2h 45m
I 280
15.5 mi
16m
I 474
13.8 mi
14m
78th Avenue West
4.5 mi
6m
North Neil Street
1.2 mi
2m
Centennial Expressway
1.1 mi
1m
6th Avenue East
0.6 mi
<1m
2nd Street East
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 74
— 154.2 mi, about 2h 45m
Traffic on I-74
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,331 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,563
Quietest
2 AM
~91 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Andalusia, IL and Champaign, IL.
1
Start on 2nd Street East
69 ft·5 sec·2nd Street East
2
Turn right onto IL 92
0.6 mi·49 sec·6th Avenue East
3
Continue on IL 92
4.5 mi·6 min·78th Avenue West
4
Turn left onto IL 92
1.1 mi·1 min·Centennial Expressway
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 280 East
6
Merge onto I 280
15 mi·16 min·I 280
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
73 mi·1 hr 17 min·I 74
Toward I 74 East: Peoria
8
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 474 East: Indianapolis
9
Merge onto I 474
14 mi·14 min·I 474
10
Merge onto I 74
27 mi·28 min·I 74
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
6.6 mi·7 min·I 74
Toward I 55 South, I 74 East, US 51 South: Saint Louis, Indianapolis
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; US 51
48 mi·51 min·I 74; US 51
Toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, DecaturUse the slight right lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 182Toward Neil Street
14
Keep slight right at fork
140 ft·5 sec
Exit 182Toward Neil Street
15
Turn right onto North Neil Street
1.2 mi·2 min·North Neil Street
16
Arrive at destination
North Neil Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 31m duration, leaving in the morning from Andalusia, IL is ideal, allowing you to reach Champaign, IL with plenty of daylight. The route is mostly highway, so plan for a single stop if needed, perhaps around the halfway point of the longest stretch on I-74. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $29. Since this is a one-day drive, you have flexibility; however, be aware of potential traffic as you approach Champaign.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 96.3 miles from Andalusia, IL, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 154.2 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 42 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.3 miles or 1h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Champaign, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Andalusia, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Andalusia, IL
This is one driving day of about 192.6 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Andalusia, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 74 for about 154.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 22.1 and 191.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
22.1 mi into trip|~26m in|I 74
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74 toward I 74 East: Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 74 East: Peoria
6
136.6 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|I 74
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74 toward I 55 South, I 74 East, US 51 South: Saint Louis, Indianapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 South, I 74 East, US 51 South: Sain...
8
143.1 mi into trip|~2h 36m in|I 74; US 51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; US 51 toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business N...
5
191.1 mi into trip|~3h 28m in
Take the exit toward Neil Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 182
Toward Neil Street
7
191.4 mi into trip|~3h 28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Neil Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 182
Toward Neil Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.38 one way
$58.77 round trip
$3.88/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.27
$32.36
$64.73
premium
$4.81
$36.44
$72.88
diesel
$5.40
$40.97
$81.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.8
0
$20.22
$9.24
Efficient EV
48.2
0
$16.85
$7.70
EV Truck/SUV
77
0
$26.96
$12.33
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 26, 2026
Origin
Andalusia, IL
Morning
in Andalusia on Sunday
Local time
11:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Champaign, IL
Morning
in Champaign on Sunday
Local time
11:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Sunny
ESE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 26 at 4:59AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 26 at 4:55AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
32 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 31m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on highways, with 96% of the 192.6 miles being on interstates like I-74, I-280, and I-474. You'll experience a longest stretch of 154.2 miles on I-74 without needing to exit. Expect frequent exits and merging as you navigate these major roadways for most of your travel time. The transition to surface roads will occur near the end of your trip.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 154.2 mi on I 74.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 74 and I 280. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22.1 miles in near I 74.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 192.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 22.1 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 136.6 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.1 miles (I 74; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Andalusia, IL and Champaign, IL, road signs point toward Indianapolis and Decatur.
Champaign-Urbana is a metropolitan area in central Illinois, composed of the towns of Champaign, Urbana, and Savoy. The community is the site of the main campus of the University of Illinois, one of the great public universities of the United States.
Top landmarks
•Orpheum Theatre — theater and movie theater in Champaign, Illinois, United States
•Virginia Theatre — movie theater in Champaign, Illinois, United States
•Cattle Bank — bank building in Champaign, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 31m. Total distance: 192.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 154.2 miles on I 74. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Champaign, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 22.1 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 136.6 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.1 miles (I 74; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Champaign, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
