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Trip from Atkinson, IL to Champaign, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 4m

Distance

164.5 mi

265 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 53m ★
6 AM
3h 5m
8 AM
3h 28m
10 AM
3h 13m
12 PM
3h 10m
3 PM
3h 14m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 58m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Atkinson, IL, IL

Atkinson, IL

Max W

Trip Overview

This straightforward 164.5-mile drive from Atkinson, Illinois, to Champaign, Illinois, is easily manageable as a day trip, taking just over 3 hours to complete. With 94% of the journey on highways, including I-80, I-39, and I-74, you'll cover a significant distance efficiently. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $26, making it an economical option for a quick regional excursion within the Midwest. This trip is designed for those who prefer a direct route with minimal detours, allowing you to reach your destination without much fuss. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, making for a predictable and smooth ride.

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

82.3 miles from Atkinson, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 39 51.6 mi 55m
I 74 48 mi 51m
I 80 47.4 mi 50m
US 51 7.6 mi 8m
East 2nd Road 6.6 mi 9m
North Neil Street 1.2 mi 2m
North State Street 0.8 mi 2m
County Highway 5 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 39 — 51.6 mi, about 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Atkinson, IL and Champaign, IL.

1

Start on East Main Street

56 ft · 7 sec · East Main Street
2

Turn left onto North State Street

0.8 mi · 2 min · North State Street
3

Continue on County Highway 5

0.1 mi · 26 sec · County Highway 5
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec
5

Merge onto I 80

47 mi · 50 min · I 80
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward IL 251: Peru, Mendota, La Salle
7

Turn right onto IL 251

6.6 mi · 9 min · East 2nd Road
8

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington-Normal Use the right lane.
9

Merge onto I 39; US 51

52 mi · 55 min · I 39; US 51
10

Keep slight right at fork onto US 51

7.6 mi · 8 min · US 51
Toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur
11

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, Decatur Use the slight right lane.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Exit 182 Toward Neil Street
13

Keep slight right at fork

140 ft · 5 sec
Exit 182 Toward Neil Street
14

Turn right onto North Neil Street

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Neil Street
15

Arrive at destination

North Neil Street

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day adventure, allowing for a flexible departure time. You'll want to factor in one planned stop, perhaps around the midway point, to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 51.6-mile stretch on I-39, as services might be less frequent in certain sections. Since you'll be on the interstate for most of the 164.5 miles, aim to leave either early in the morning to avoid potential rush hour traffic near larger towns or later in the afternoon to enjoy a smoother drive. The $26 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always have a little extra set aside for unexpected needs.

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 82.3 miles from Atkinson, IL, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.6 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 36 miles or 40m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 82.3 miles or 1h 33m 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 30m

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 Atkinson, 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 Atkinson, IL

This is one driving day of about 164.5 miles and 3h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Atkinson, 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 39 for about 51.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Woodford County, Illinois

Mid-route town

Meal stop

El Paso, IL

82 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Peru, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

El Paso, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 82.3 miles from Atkinson, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Red Herring Vegetarian Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Urbana, Illinois

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

+12173672340

Visit website

Basil Thai At Urbana

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Urbana, Illinois

1.3 mi

Red Herring Vegetarian Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Urbana, Illinois

+12173672340

Visit website

Basil Thai At Urbana

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Urbana, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+12173448662

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route

Champaign, Illinois

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12175312800

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Champaign, Illinois

+18668167584

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+13096641222

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–12 pm

Visit website

Rivian Waypoints

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484261

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 163.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
1 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp

Navigation decision point

7
55.5 mi into trip | ~1h 4m in

Take the ramp toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington-Normal

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington-Nor...
6
107.5 mi into trip | ~2h in | US 51

Keep slight right at fork onto US 51 toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champai...
8
115.1 mi into trip | ~2h 9m 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...
7
163.3 mi into trip | ~3h 1m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Neil Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 182 Toward Neil Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.72 one way

$51.44 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $28.24 $56.47
premium $4.89 $31.66 $63.31
diesel $5.61 $36.32 $72.64

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 57.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 49.4 0 $17.27 $7.90
Efficient EV 41.1 0 $14.39 $6.58
EV Truck/SUV 65.8 0 $23.03 $10.53

Gas CO2

58 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (67% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Atkinson, IL

Morning in Atkinson on Tuesday

Local time

9:02 AM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Champaign, IL

Morning in Champaign on Tuesday

Local time

9:02 AM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

68°F

El Paso, IL

82 mi in

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

5 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 4m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a largely highway-focused experience on this 164.5-mile trip, with 94% of your travel occurring on major interstates like I-80, I-39, and I-74. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is a solid 51.6 miles on I-39, offering ample opportunity to settle into a rhythm. This route is characterized by its efficiency rather than winding scenic byways. While the landscape is consistent, the focus is on making good time between Atkinson and Champaign. You'll primarily be navigating well-maintained interstate highways, which means a predictable driving experience.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.6 mi on I 39.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 39 and I 74. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 164.5 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 55.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.5 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Atkinson, IL and Champaign, IL, road signs point toward Mendota, La Salle, Saint Louis and Decatur.

Mendota

48.6 mi in | ~54m

La Salle

48.6 mi in | ~54m

Saint Louis

107.5 mi in | ~2h | via US 51

Decatur

107.5 mi in | ~2h | via US 51

About the Cities

Arriving in Champaign, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1855

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

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 164.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 51.6 miles on I 39. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 55.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.5 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Champaign, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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