Origin
Carrollton, IL
Morning in Carrollton on Sunday
Local time
9:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carrollton, IL to Champaign, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 50m
Distance
152.4 mi
245 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 40m
★
6 AM
2h 51m
8 AM
3h 13m
10 AM
2h 59m
12 PM
2h 56m
3 PM
3h 0m
5 PM
3h 12m
8 PM
2h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carrollton, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 152.4-mile drive from Carrollton, IL to Champaign, IL will take approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes. It's a straightforward, single-day trip perfect for a quick getaway or an efficient transfer between points in the Midwest. The route primarily utilizes I-72, with sections of Main Street and US-67, so expect a highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of around $23, this trip is quite budget-friendly. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, making it an easy drive to accomplish in one go.
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
76.2 miles from Carrollton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 72 | 121.7 mi | 2h 12m |
| Main Street | 11.9 mi | 13m |
| United States Route 67 | 8.1 mi | 9m |
| South State Avenue | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| 1440 E | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| West University Avenue | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| South Main Street | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| South State Street | 1.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 72
— 121.7 mi, about 2h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carrollton, IL and Champaign, IL.
1
Start on IL 108
159 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 67
0.5 mi
·
34 sec
·
North 5th Street
3
Continue on US 67
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
United States Route 67
4
Continue on US 67
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
5
Continue on US 67
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South State Avenue
6
Continue on US 67
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South State Street
7
Continue on US 67
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
1440 E
8
Continue on US 67
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Main Street
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 72 East: Quincy
10
Merge onto I 72; US 36
42 mi
·
44 min
·
I 72; US 36
11
Take the exit onto I 72; US 36
37 mi
·
40 min
·
I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 East, US 36 East: Decatur
12
Continue on I 72; US 51
43 mi
·
47 min
·
I 72; US 51
13
Continue on West University Avenue
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West University Avenue
14
Turn left onto North Randolph Street
364 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Randolph Street
15
Turn right onto West Park Avenue
458 ft
·
15 sec
·
West Park Avenue
16
Turn right onto North Neil Street
320 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Neil Street
17
Arrive at destination
North Neil Street
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 50-minute drive, starting in the morning allows for maximum flexibility. Since it's a manageable 152.4 miles, you likely won't need to stop for more than one break, and there are plenty of opportunities along I-72. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the longest stretch of 121.7 miles on I-72, as services can be more spread out on interstates. The estimated fuel cost is $23, so factor that into your budget. Arriving in Champaign with plenty of daylight will give you more options for evening activities.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.2 miles from Carrollton, IL, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 121.7 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 34 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.2 miles or 1h 24m 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 17m
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 Carrollton, 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 Carrollton, IL
This is one driving day of about 152.4 miles and 2h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Carrollton, 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 72 for about 121.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.2 miles from Carrollton, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 72 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 121.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 75 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 152.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 67 / North 5th Street
Turn right onto US 67 / North 5th Street
Navigation decision point
4
28 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Take the exit toward I 72 East: Quincy
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 72 East: Quincy
5
70.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
|
I 72; US 36
Take the exit onto I 72; US 36 toward I 72 East, US 36 East: Decatur
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 72 East, US 36 East: Decatur
5
152.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 50m in
|
West Park Avenue
Turn right onto West Park Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
152.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 50m in
|
North Neil Street
Turn right onto North Neil Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.83 one way
$47.65 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.16 | $52.32 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.33 | $58.66 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.65 | $67.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.7 | 0 | $16.00 | $7.32 |
| Efficient EV | 38.1 | 0 | $13.33 | $6.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61 | 0 | $21.34 | $9.75 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Destination
Champaign, IL
Morning in Champaign on Sunday
Local time
9:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°F
Springfield, IL
76 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
22 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
2h 50m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 68.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 85% of the 152.4 miles on faster roads. The journey features a significant uninterrupted stretch of 121.7 miles on I-72, offering a consistent pace. You'll begin on local roads like Main Street before merging onto US-67 and then I-72. This means you'll experience a transition from potentially slower local traffic to the efficiency of the interstate. The character of the drive is largely about covering ground smoothly and directly.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 121.7 mi on I 72.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 72 and Main Street. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 67 / North 5th Street.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Carrollton, IL to Champaign, IL is easy. At 2h 50m with 85% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 67 / North 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 28 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 70.1 miles (I 72; US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
735 ft
577 ft
Total Climb
224 ft
Total Descent
109 ft
Highest Point
735 ft
~152.4 mi in
Elevation Range
159 ft
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 2h 50m. Total distance: 152.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 121.7 miles on I 72. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 67 / North 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 28 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 70.1 miles (I 72; US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Champaign, IL before heading back.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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