Origin
Champaign, IL
Late night in Champaign on Tuesday
Local time
3:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 22m
Distance
177.2 mi
285 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Belleville, IL
Wikimedia Commons
This 177.2-mile drive from Champaign, IL, to Belleville, IL, is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 22 minutes on the road, covering the distance primarily on I-70 and I-57. With a fuel cost estimated at $28, this journey through the heart of the Midwest is budget-friendly. Given its manageable length and highway nature, it's an ideal candidate for a day trip, allowing you to arrive at your destination without needing an overnight stop. The route offers a practical way to travel 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
88.6 miles from Champaign, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 82.2 mi | 1h 28m |
| I 57 | 77.4 mi | 1h 23m |
| North Illinois Street | 9.3 mi | 14m |
| Vandalia Street | 3 mi | 4m |
| West Church Street | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| I 72 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| South Morrison Avenue | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| North Randolph Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Champaign, IL and Belleville, IL.
Start on North Neil Street
Turn right onto West University Avenue
Turn right onto North Randolph Street
Turn left onto West Church Street
Continue on I 72
Take the exit
Merge onto I 57
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
Take the exit
Continue on IL 159
Continue on IL 159
Continue on IL 159
Turn left onto East F Street
Arrive at destination
For this 3-hour and 22-minute drive, leaving Champaign in the morning will allow you to reach Belleville with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can easily manage your breaks. The longest stretch without a major road change is 82.2 miles on I-70, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you embark on that section. Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart at a time that suits you best, but being mindful of potential rush hour traffic as you approach Belleville is a good idea. The estimated fuel cost of $28 makes this an economical choice.
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.
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 39 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.6 miles or 1h 39m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Belleville, IL than in the middle of the route.
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 177.2 miles and 3h 22m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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.
A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 88.6 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 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 158 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto West University Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto North Randolph Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto West Church Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 57 South: Memphis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 toward I 55 South, I 70 West: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$27.70 one way
$55.41 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.42 | $60.83 |
| premium | $4.89 | $34.10 | $68.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.12 | $78.25 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.2 | 0 | $18.61 | $8.51 |
| Efficient EV | 44.3 | 0 | $15.50 | $7.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.9 | 0 | $24.81 | $11.34 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Champaign on Tuesday
Local time
3:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Belleville on Tuesday
Local time
3:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
Tornado Watch
Tornado Watch issued April 14 at 5:45PM CDT until April 14 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 14 at 4:05PM 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This drive is largely a highway-focused experience, with 91% of the journey taking place on major interstates. You'll encounter an 82.2-mile stretch on I-70, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the trip. The profile suggests a steady, high-speed journey, making it efficient for covering ground. While the main roads are interstates, you'll transition onto North Illinois Street towards the end, providing a slight shift in character as you approach Belleville. Expect a predictable driving experience built for distance.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and I 57. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West University Avenue.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 22m drive. You will face about 9 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.
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 22m. Total distance: 177.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Straightforward navigation.
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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