Spoon River Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Champaign, IL to Knox, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 6, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 32m
Distance
133.1 mi
214 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 22m
★
6 AM
2h 32m
8 AM
2h 53m
10 AM
2h 39m
12 PM
2h 37m
3 PM
2h 40m
5 PM
2h 52m
8 PM
2h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Champaign, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Knox, IL
Otto Rascon
Trip Overview
Champaign, IL to Knox, IL is 133.1 miles and takes about 2h 32m via I 74 and I 474, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically in Illinois, making it a straightforward drive for those familiar with the region. Given its relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, it’s ideal for a single-day excursion. You’ll spend most of your time on the interstate, so expect a smooth, efficient transit between these two Illinois locations. Plan for a quick trip with minimal detours.
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
66.6 miles from Champaign, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 74 | 113.8 mi | 2h 2m |
| I 474 | 14 mi | 14m |
| Knox Road 1020 East | 1.4 mi | 5m |
| North Randolph Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Bloomington Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Mine Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North Prospect Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West University Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 74
— 113.8 mi, about 2h 2m
Traffic on I-74
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,376 veh/hr typical · worst 1,701
Quietest
2 AM
~91 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 95 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Champaign, IL and Knox, 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
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North Randolph Street
4
At end of road, turn left onto West Bradley Avenue
458 ft
·
13 sec
·
West Bradley Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Turn slight right onto Bloomington Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Bloomington Road
6
Turn right onto US 150
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
North Prospect Avenue
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 74 West: Bloomington
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 74
53 mi
·
56 min
·
I 74
9
Take the exit onto I 74
28 mi
·
30 min
·
I 74
Toward I 74 West: Peoria
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 474
14 mi
·
14 min
·
I 474
Exit 99
Toward I 474 West: Moline, Rock Island
11
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
12
Merge onto I 74
33 mi
·
35 min
·
I 74
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Toward US 150, IL 97: Lewistown
14
Turn left onto Knox Road 1020 East
1.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Knox Road 1020 East
15
Turn left onto Mine Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Mine Road
16
Turn right onto Knox Station Road
148 ft
·
6 sec
·
Knox Station Road
17
Arrive at destination
Knox Station Road
Trip Plan
For this 2h 32m drive, leaving Champaign, IL in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. Since the total distance is only 133.1 miles, you can easily complete this in one day without needing an overnight stop. The longest stretch without a significant break is 113.8 miles on I 74, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps before starting that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $21, it's an economical trip. Consider an early departure to allow for any unforeseen traffic or the flexibility to make an impromptu stop if needed.
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 66.6 miles from Champaign, IL, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.8 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 29 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.6 miles or 1h 14m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Knox, 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 133.1 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 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 74 for about 113.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 66.6 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 74 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.8 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.
Mackinaw Dells Rest Area Westbound
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Mackinaw Dells Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Farmland Rest Area - Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Farmland Rest Area - Eastbound
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
2.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 97.1 — 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
7
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
West Bradley Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto West Bradley Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
1.8 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 74 West: Bloomington
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 74 West: Bloomington
7
83.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
|
I 474
Keep slight left at fork onto I 474 toward I 474 West: Moline, Rock Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 99
Toward I 474 West: Moline, Rock Island
5
97.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
Take the exit toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.64 one way
$41.27 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $22.63 | $45.25 |
| premium | $4.93 | $25.82 | $51.65 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $29.34 | $58.68 |
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: 46.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.9 | 0 | $13.98 | $6.39 |
| Efficient EV | 33.3 | 0 | $11.65 | $5.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.2 | 0 | $18.63 | $8.52 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Origin
Champaign, IL
Late night in Champaign on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Knox, IL
Late night in Knox on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Bloomington, IL
67 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
2 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 32m 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 predominantly highway driving, with 96% of the 133.1 miles on interstates like I 74 and I 474. You’ll experience a long stretch of 113.8 miles on I 74 before transitioning to local roads. The final leg on Knox Road 1020 East will likely feel more rural after your time on the interstate. Expect a consistent cruising speed for the majority of your drive.
96% 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: 113.8 mi on I 74.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 74 and I 474. You will hit about 13 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
6/10
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 133.1 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.8 miles (West Bradley Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
817 ft
613 ft
Total Climb
303 ft
Total Descent
371 ft
Highest Point
817 ft
~57.1 mi in
Elevation Range
204 ft
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.
On the drive from Champaign, IL to Knox, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Rock Island along the way.
Rock Island
83.1 mi in
|
~1h 32m
|
via I 474
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 2h 32m. Total distance: 133.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113.8 miles on I 74. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Knox, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West University Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (West Bradley Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Knox, 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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