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Trip from Champaign, IL to Glen Carbon, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 3m

Distance

163.5 mi

263 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 52m ★
6 AM
3h 3m
8 AM
3h 26m
10 AM
3h 11m
12 PM
3h 9m
3 PM
3h 13m
5 PM
3h 25m
8 PM
2h 57m

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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village in Illinois, United States

Glen Carbon, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Champaign, IL to Glen Carbon, IL is 163.5 miles and takes about 3h 3m via I 57, I 70, and I 270, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Illinois, moving you across the Midwest region. It's a straightforward highway-focused trip, making it a convenient option for a single-day journey. You'll find yourself on interstates for most of the way, so expect a consistent travel pace. Consider this route if you need a simple, efficient connection 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

81.7 miles from Champaign, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 57 77.4 mi 1h 23m
I 70 76.8 mi 1h 22m
I 270 3.1 mi 3m
West Church Street 1.9 mi 4m
I 72 1.3 mi 1m
Glen Crossing Road 1.1 mi 2m
South Main Street 0.5 mi 1m
South State Route 159 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 57 — 77.4 mi, about 1h 23m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Champaign, IL and Glen Carbon, 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 right at fork onto I 70

77 mi · 1 hr 22 min · I 70
Toward I 70 West: Saint Louis
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 270

3.1 mi · 3 min · I 270
Toward I 270 West, I 55 North: Kansas City, Chicago
10

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 32 sec
Exit 12 Toward IL 159: Collinsville, Edwardsville
11

Keep slight left at fork

138 ft · 6 sec
12

Turn left onto IL 159

0.4 mi · 42 sec · South State Route 159
13

Turn right onto Glen Crossing Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Glen Crossing Road
14

Turn left onto South Main Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
15

Arrive at destination

South Main Street

Trip Plan

Given the short duration of 3 hours and 3 minutes, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. You can afford to leave later in the morning, perhaps after a leisurely breakfast in Champaign. With only one recommended stop, you have the flexibility to decide when and if you need to pull over. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 77.4 miles on I 57, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. Aim to arrive in Glen Carbon with plenty of daylight to spare.

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 81.7 miles from Champaign, IL, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.4 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 36 miles or 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 81.7 miles or 1h 32m 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 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Glen Carbon, 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 163.5 miles and 3h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 77.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Brownstown, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brownstown, IL

82 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

Arcola, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Louisville, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 81.7 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 77.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

The Literary

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Champaign, Illinois

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+12179541500

Visit website

The Library Café

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Champaign, Illinois

0.4 mi

Red Herring Vegetarian Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Urbana, Illinois

1.2 mi

The Literary

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+12179541500

Visit website

The Library Café

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–8:30 pm

+12174032000

Visit website

Red Herring Vegetarian Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Urbana, Illinois

+12173672340

Visit website

Basil Thai At Urbana

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Urbana, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+12173448662

Visit website

Bevier Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Urbana, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–1 pm

+12173338469

Visit website

PUERTO VALLARTA

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 81.7

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12173423177

Visit website

Xinh Xinh Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Urbana, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+12173377600

Visit website

Culver’s

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 81.7

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+12173474986

Visit website

Feed the Crave Coffee & Roastery

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 93.4

Altamont, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–12 pm

+16183399919

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

Champaign, Illinois

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

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 81.7

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12173528910

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

McAlister's Deli

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 81.7

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+12172407175

Visit website

Tk Grille

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 81.7

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 6–10 am

+12175407716

MY Garage Museum & Retail Store

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 70.1

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 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 161.1 — 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.
6
158 mi into trip | ~2h 54m in | I 270

Keep slight right at fork onto I 270 toward I 270 West, I 55 North: Kansas City, Chicago

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

Toward I 270 West, I 55 North: Kansas City, Chi...
6
161.1 mi into trip | ~2h 57m in

Take the exit toward IL 159: Collinsville, Edwardsville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 12 Toward IL 159: Collinsville, Edwardsville

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.56 one way

$51.12 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $28.07 $56.13
premium $4.89 $31.46 $62.93
diesel $5.61 $36.10 $72.20

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 57.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 49.1 0 $17.17 $7.85
Efficient EV 40.9 0 $14.31 $6.54
EV Truck/SUV 65.4 0 $22.89 $10.46

Gas CO2

57 kg

EV CO2

19 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 15, 2026

Origin

Champaign, IL

Afternoon in Champaign on Sunday

Local time

3:41 PM

CDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Glen Carbon, IL

Afternoon in Glen Carbon on Sunday

Local time

3:41 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

75°F

Brownstown, IL

82 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

24 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 3m 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 is a highway-focused drive, with 97% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll spend the bulk of your time on I 57, I 70, and I 270, which means consistent speeds and minimal traffic delays. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 77.4 miles on I 57, offering a good opportunity to settle in. Expect a predictable driving experience as you move smoothly across the landscape. The road remains largely the same throughout, emphasizing efficiency over varied scenery.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77.4 mi on I 57.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and I 70. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West University Avenue.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 163.5 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

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.

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

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 3m. Total distance: 163.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 77.4 miles on I 57. 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 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Glen Carbon, 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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