Origin
Champaign, IL
Afternoon in Champaign on Tuesday
Local time
12:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Champaign, IL to Alton, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 18m
Distance
170.3 mi
274 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 7m
★
6 AM
3h 19m
8 AM
3h 43m
10 AM
3h 27m
12 PM
3h 25m
3 PM
3h 28m
5 PM
3h 41m
8 PM
3h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alton, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Champaign, IL to Alton, IL is 170.3 miles and takes about 3h 18m via I 72, I 55, and State Route 140, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. It's a straightforward drive, primarily on interstates, making it a practical choice for a quick journey. With a recommended one-day drive, you'll find it's a relatively easy route to navigate, suitable for those seeking a direct path between these two Illinois cities.
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
85.2 miles from Champaign, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 72 | 85.2 mi | 1h 32m |
| I 55 | 62.6 mi | 1h 7m |
| State Route 140 | 9.6 mi | 13m |
| College Avenue | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| West Church Street | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| East Bethalto Drive | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| East MacArthur Drive | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| West Macarthur Drive | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 72
— 85.2 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Champaign, IL and Alton, IL.
1
Start on North Neil Street
42 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Neil Street
2
Turn right onto West University Avenue
463 ft
·
17 sec
·
West University Avenue
3
Turn right onto North Randolph Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Randolph Street
4
Turn left onto West Church Street
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West Church Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Continue on I 72
80 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
I 72
6
Take the exit onto I 72; US 36
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
I 72; US 36
Toward I 55 South, I 72 West: Saint Louis, Jacksonville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
63 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward IL 140: Alton, Greenville
9
Turn right onto IL 140
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East State Street
10
Continue on IL 140
9.6 mi
·
13 min
·
State Route 140
11
Continue on IL 140
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
East Bethalto Drive
12
Continue on IL 111; IL 140
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
East MacArthur Drive
13
Continue on IL 111; IL 140
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West Macarthur Drive
14
Continue on IL 111; IL 140
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
College Avenue
15
Enter roundabout onto College Avenue
397 ft
·
7 sec
·
College Avenue
16
Continue on College Avenue
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
College Avenue
17
Turn left onto US 67
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Martin Luther King Drive
18
Continue on US 67
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
Piasa Street
19
Turn left onto West 3rd Street
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
West 3rd Street
20
Turn right onto Alby Street
118 ft
·
5 sec
·
Alby Street
21
Arrive at destination
Alby Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 18m duration, leaving Champaign in the morning allows ample time to reach Alton before evening. The drive is short enough that you can be flexible with stops; consider a brief break around the halfway point to stretch your legs. With only one major highway stretch of 85.2 miles, you won't need to worry too much about prolonged stretches without services. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Alton, as it's always wise to have a buffer, especially when transitioning to state routes.
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 85.2 miles from Champaign, IL, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.2 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 37 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.2 miles or 1h 35m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alton, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Champaign, 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 Champaign, IL
This is one driving day of about 170.3 miles and 3h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Champaign, 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 85.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
85 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 85.2 miles from Champaign, 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 85.2 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 105 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 87.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West University Avenue
Turn right onto West University Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Randolph Street
Turn right onto North Randolph Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Church Street
Turn left onto West Church Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
82.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
|
I 72; US 36
Take the exit onto I 72; US 36 toward I 55 South, I 72 West: Saint Louis, Jacksonville
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.
Toward I 55 South, I 72 West: Saint Louis, Jack...
5
87.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
|
I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.62 one way
$53.25 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.23 | $58.47 |
| premium | $4.89 | $32.77 | $65.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.60 | $75.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.1 | 0 | $17.88 | $8.17 |
| Efficient EV | 42.6 | 0 | $14.90 | $6.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.1 | 0 | $23.84 | $10.90 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Destination
Alton, IL
Afternoon in Alton on Tuesday
Local time
12:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
70°F
Auburn, IL
85 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
16 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 18m 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?
This route is a highway-focused drive, with 92% of it on major roads. You'll spend most of your time on I 72 and I 55, experiencing a consistent, high-speed journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 85.2 miles on I 72, offering a period of steady travel. As you transition to State Route 140, the character might shift slightly, but the overall feel remains that of a predominantly interstate experience, efficient and direct.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.2 mi on I 72.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 72 and I 55. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West University Avenue.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 18m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West University Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (North Randolph Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (West Church Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Champaign, IL and Alton, IL, road signs point toward Jacksonville and Greenville.
Jacksonville
82.1 mi in
|
~1h 31m
|
via I 72; US 36
Greenville
150 mi in
|
~2h 45m
About the Cities
Starting 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
Arriving in Alton, IL
Full guide →Founded 1818
Alton is a charming river town in Illinois just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri. Once a blue collar town of heavy manufacturing, Alton has transformed itself into a tourist destination and wedding and reception resort of the Midwest.
Top landmarks
- • Alton National Cemetery — United States National Cemetery located in the city of Alton, in Madison County,...
- • Alton Military Prison — prison located in Alton, Illinois
- • Upper Alton Historic District — historic district in Illinois, United States
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 18m. Total distance: 170.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85.2 miles on I 72. 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.
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 (West University Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (North Randolph Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (West Church Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Alton, 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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