This 159.3-mile drive from Buffalo Grove, IL, to Champaign, IL, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day, taking around 3 hours and 13 minutes. The route primarily utilizes major highways like the Tri-State Tollway and I-57, making it a highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $25, this is an economical option for a quick getaway or transit within the Midwest. You'll spend most of your time on the open road, making it an efficient journey with minimal need for overnight stops.
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
79.6 miles from Buffalo Grove, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
105.4 mi
1h 54m
Tri-State Tollway
30.3 mi
37m
Cicero Avenue
4.9 mi
7m
North Elmhurst Road
4.3 mi
7m
Market Street
3.9 mi
6m
Rand Road
3.2 mi
5m
McHenry Road
1.4 mi
2m
East Rand Road
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 105.4 mi, about 1h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo Grove, IL and Champaign, IL.
1
Start on Aptakisic Road
60 ft·5 sec·Aptakisic Road
2
Turn right onto South Buffalo Grove Road
0.2 mi·20 sec·South Buffalo Grove Road
3
Turn right onto Lake Cook Road
0.1 mi·16 sec·Lake Cook Road
4
Turn right onto IL 83
1.4 mi·2 min·McHenry Road
Use the right lane.
5
Turn right onto IL 83
4.3 mi·7 min·North Elmhurst Road
Use the right lane.
6
Turn left onto US 12
1.3 mi·2 min·East Rand Road
7
Continue on US 12
3.2 mi·5 min·Rand Road
8
Continue on North Northwest Highway
518 ft·13 sec·North Northwest Highway
Use the left lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 294 South: Indiana
10
Merge onto I 294
13 mi·17 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
3.5 mi·4 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 294
0.9 mi·1 min·Mile-Long Bridge
14
Continue on I 294
8.5 mi·10 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 12 B-AToward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 12AToward IL 50 South: Cicero AvenueUse the straight lane.
17
Turn straight onto IL 50; IL 83
4.9 mi·7 min·Cicero Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Turn left onto 167th Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·167th Street
Use the left lane.
19
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 57 South: Kankakee, I-80
20
Merge onto I 57
105 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·26 sec
Exit 240Toward Market Street
22
Turn left
96 ft·5 sec
23
Turn left onto Market Street
3.9 mi·6 min·Market Street
24
Turn right onto East Bradley Avenue
0.3 mi·34 sec·East Bradley Avenue
25
Turn left onto North Neil Street
0.7 mi·1 min·North Neil Street
26
Arrive at destination
North Neil Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, starting your drive from Buffalo Grove in the morning allows for arrival in Champaign with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to decide when and where to take a break, perhaps after the 105.4-mile stretch on I-57. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $25, and plan your refill accordingly. The highway-focused nature of this route means you'll want to be prepared for consistent interstate speeds and traffic patterns.
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 79.6 miles from Buffalo Grove, IL, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.4 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 35 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.6 miles or 1h 42m 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 38m
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 Buffalo Grove, 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 Buffalo Grove, IL
This is one driving day of about 159.3 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Buffalo Grove, 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 57 for about 105.4 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 42.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Lake Cook Road
Turn right onto Lake Cook Road
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|IL 83 / McHenry Road
Turn right onto IL 83 / McHenry Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
29.4 mi into trip|~42m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
42.3 mi into trip|~58m in
Take the exit toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12 B-A
Toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th...
8
42.5 mi into trip|~58m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Exit 12A
Toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.90 one way
$49.81 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$27.34
$54.69
premium
$4.89
$30.66
$61.31
diesel
$5.61
$35.17
$70.34
Estimated Tolls: $1.82
Tri-state Tollway
(30.3 mi)$1.82
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.8
0
$16.73
$7.65
Efficient EV
39.8
0
$13.94
$6.37
EV Truck/SUV
63.7
0
$22.30
$10.20
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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 17, 2026
Origin
Buffalo Grove, IL
Late night
in Buffalo Grove on Sunday
Local time
3:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Champaign, IL
Late night
in Champaign on Sunday
Local time
3:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Clear
S 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 1:55AM CDT until April 17 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 1:55AM CDT until April 17 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
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
11 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 13m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 43.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this trip, with 66% of your journey on major roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 105.4 miles on I-57, offering a solid block of uninterrupted driving. While much of this route will be on high-speed interstates like the Tri-State Tollway and I-57, you will also navigate segments on Cicero Avenue. This mix suggests a drive that prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently, rather than one focused on winding country roads.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.4 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Lake Cook Road.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 159.3 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 0.2 miles (Lake Cook Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (IL 83 / McHenry Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 29.4 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 13m. Total distance: 159.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105.4 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.82 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 0.2 miles (Lake Cook Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (IL 83 / McHenry Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 29.4 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Champaign, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
