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Trip from Champaign, IL to Centralia, 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

2h 36m

Distance

137.2 mi

221 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 26m ★
6 AM
2h 37m
8 AM
2h 57m
10 AM
2h 44m
12 PM
2h 42m
3 PM
2h 45m
5 PM
2h 56m
8 PM
2h 30m

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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city in Clinton, Jefferson, Marion, and Washington counties in Illinois, United States

Centralia, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 137.2-mile drive from Champaign, IL, to Centralia, IL, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 36 minutes. With 87% of the journey on highways, you'll primarily be on I-57, offering a direct and efficient connection between these two Midwest locations. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $21, making it an economical option. This route is designed for expediency, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. It's a practical choice for those looking for a quick and uncomplicated transit within Illinois.

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

68.6 miles from Champaign, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 57 118.3 mi 2h 7m
County Road 180 E 4.4 mi 6m
Poplar 2.7 mi 3m
East Poplar Street 2.7 mi 3m
West Main Street 2.2 mi 2m
West Church Street 1.9 mi 4m
North Poplar Street 1.3 mi 3m
I 72 1.3 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 57 — 118.3 mi, about 2h 7m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Champaign, IL and Centralia, 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

1.3 mi · 1 min · I 72
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Exit 182A Toward I 57 South: Memphis
7

Merge onto I 57

77 mi · 1 hr 23 min · I 57
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57

41 mi · 43 min · I 57
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
10

Keep slight right at fork

83 ft · 2 sec
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
11

Turn right onto US 50

2.2 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
12

Continue on US 50

2.7 mi · 3 min · East Poplar Street
13

Continue on US 50

2.7 mi · 3 min · Poplar
14

At end of road, turn left onto US 50; US 51

443 ft · 5 sec · North Mine Street
15

Continue on US 50; US 51

0.2 mi · 12 sec · N Mine St
16

Continue on US 50; US 51

0.6 mi · 54 sec · North Mine Street
17

Continue on US 51

4.4 mi · 6 min · County Road 180 E
18

Continue on US 51

0.6 mi · 50 sec · North Commercial Street
19

Continue on US 51

1.3 mi · 3 min · North Poplar Street
20

Arrive at destination

US 51

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour 36-minute duration and 137.2-mile distance, this trip is ideal for a single day. You can depart Champaign at your convenience, perhaps in the morning to maximize daylight, and arrive in Centralia with plenty of time. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is over 118 miles on I-57, so plan for a fuel and rest stop before or during this segment. With a fuel cost of approximately $21, it's a budget-friendly journey, and the minimal number of stops (1) suggests you can be quite flexible with your timing. Keep an eye out for potential construction or traffic delays on I-57, especially during peak hours.

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 68.6 miles from Champaign, IL, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.3 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 30 miles or 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 68.6 miles or 1h 17m 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 5m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Centralia, 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 137.2 miles and 2h 36m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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 57 for about 118.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Altamont, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Altamont, IL

69 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

Tuscola, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Windsor, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 68.6 miles from Champaign, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.3 miles.

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 · around the midpoint

Lickin' My Chicken & Pullin' My Pork BBQ

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Effingham, Illinois

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset · 1h 30m in / 1h 7m to go 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12179940683

Visit website

Fujiyama Japanese Steakhouse (Effingham)

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Effingham, Illinois

0.4 mi

Panera Bread

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Effingham, Illinois

0.3 mi

Lickin' My Chicken & Pullin' My Pork BBQ

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12179940683

Visit website

Fujiyama Japanese Steakhouse (Effingham)

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+12173423833

Visit website

Panera Bread

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12172403001

Visit website

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12173477130

Visit website

Chili's Grill & Bar

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12172946248

Visit website

El Rancherito Inc

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12173424753

Visit website

Denny's Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12173424543

Visit website

Golden Corral Buffet & Grill

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12176904884

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

Champaign, Illinois

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12175312800

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Champaign, Illinois

+18668167584

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

McAlister's Deli

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+12172407175

Visit website

Tk Grille

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 6–10 am

+12175407716

MY Garage Museum & Retail Store

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12175404277

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 0 and 122.5 — 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.
5
3.5 mi into trip | ~7m in

Take the exit toward I 57 South: Memphis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 182A Toward I 57 South: Memphis
6
122.5 mi into trip | ~2h 16m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval

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

Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.45 one way

$42.90 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 48 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $23.55 $47.10
premium $4.89 $26.40 $52.81
diesel $5.61 $30.29 $60.58

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 48 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 41.2 0 $14.41 $6.59
Efficient EV 34.3 0 $12.00 $5.49
EV Truck/SUV 54.9 0 $19.21 $8.78

Gas CO2

48 kg

EV CO2

16 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

Champaign, IL

Late night in Champaign on Tuesday

Local time

4:09 AM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Centralia, IL

Late night in Centralia on Tuesday

Local time

4:09 AM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

53°F

Altamont, IL

69 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

2h 36m 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 predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 87% of the drive utilizing major roadways like I-57. You'll encounter one significant stretch of uninterrupted driving for 118.3 miles on I-57, providing a consistent pace. The route begins with local roads like County Road 180 E and Poplar before transitioning to the interstate. This highway-centric profile means you'll spend most of your time on faster-paced roads, with fewer opportunities for spontaneous stops along the way. The character is largely about efficient travel rather than scenic detours.

87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.3 mi on I 57.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and County Road 180 E. 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 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 36m 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.

On the drive from Champaign, IL to Centralia, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Sandoval along the way.

Sandoval

122 mi in | ~2h 15m

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 Centralia, IL

Full guide →

Centralia is a city in Southern Illinois.

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 36m. Total distance: 137.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (87%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 118.3 miles on I 57. 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 (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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Centralia, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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