Origin
Chatham, IL
Morning in Chatham on Sunday
Local time
10:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chatham, IL to Champaign, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 50m
Distance
95.2 mi
153 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 42m
★
6 AM
1h 50m
8 AM
2h 6m
10 AM
1h 56m
12 PM
1h 54m
3 PM
1h 57m
5 PM
2h 6m
8 PM
1h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chatham, IL
Quang Vuong
Trip Overview
This 95.2-mile drive from Chatham, IL to Champaign, IL is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes. With 94% of the journey on highways, it's a focused drive, making it ideal for a quick transfer between two Midwest locations within Illinois. The estimated fuel cost is around $15, a reasonable amount for this distance. Given its manageable length and efficient route, this trip is well-suited for a day excursion without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.6 miles from Chatham, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 72 | 88.3 mi | 1h 36m |
| North Main Street | 3 mi | 5m |
| West University Avenue | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| South Veterans Parkway | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| West Park Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Randolph Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Neil Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 72
— 88.3 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chatham, IL and Champaign, IL.
1
Start on IL 4
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
North Main Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Continue on IL 4
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Veterans Parkway
3
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
4
Merge onto I 72; US 36
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
I 72; US 36
5
Take the exit onto I 72; US 36
37 mi
·
40 min
·
I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 East, US 36 East: Decatur
6
Continue on I 72; US 51
43 mi
·
47 min
·
I 72; US 51
7
Continue on West University Avenue
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West University Avenue
8
Turn left onto North Randolph Street
364 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Randolph Street
9
Turn right onto West Park Avenue
458 ft
·
15 sec
·
West Park Avenue
10
Turn right onto North Neil Street
320 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Neil Street
11
Arrive at destination
North Neil Street
Trip Plan
With a total duration of under two hours, this drive offers a lot of flexibility. You can depart at your leisure, perhaps in the late morning to avoid early rush hour. Since there are no designated stops in the data, and it's a short trip, you can easily plan quick breaks as needed, perhaps stopping once around the halfway mark. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto the longest stretch on I-72, as gas stations might be less frequent in some sections of this highway drive.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 47.6 miles from Chatham, IL, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.3 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 21 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.6 miles or 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Champaign, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chatham, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Chatham, IL
This is one driving day of about 95.2 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Chatham, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 72 for about 88.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 47.6 miles from Chatham, 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 88.3 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 55 decision points cluster between mile 4.8 and 95.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
4.8 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 72; US 36
Merge onto I 72; US 36
Merge point - match speed before joining
5
12.9 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
I 72; US 36
Take the exit onto I 72; US 36 toward I 72 East, US 36 East: Decatur
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 72 East, US 36 East: Decatur
4
95 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
|
North Randolph Street
Turn left onto North Randolph Street
Navigation decision point
5
95.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
|
West Park Avenue
Turn right onto West Park Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
95.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m in
|
North Neil Street
Turn right onto North Neil Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.88 one way
$29.77 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.34 | $32.68 |
| premium | $4.89 | $18.32 | $36.64 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.02 | $42.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.6 | 0 | $10.00 | $4.57 |
| Efficient EV | 23.8 | 0 | $8.33 | $3.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.1 | 0 | $13.33 | $6.09 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Champaign, IL
Morning in Champaign on Sunday
Local time
10:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Blue Mound, IL
48 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
1 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
1h 50m 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 94% of the drive utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 88.3 miles along I-72, indicating a consistent pace for most of your journey. While the core of the drive is on the interstate, the route begins and ends with local roads, North Main Street and West University Avenue, providing a brief transition in and out of the main highway stretch.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 88.3 mi on I 72.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 72 and North Main Street. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 4.8 miles in near I 72; US 36.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Chatham, IL to Champaign, IL is easy. At 1h 50m with 94% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.8 miles (I 72; US 36): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 12.9 miles (I 72; US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95 miles (North Randolph Street): Navigation decision point.
About the Cities
Arriving 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 1h 50m. Total distance: 95.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 88.3 miles on I 72. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.8 miles (I 72; US 36): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 12.9 miles (I 72; US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95 miles (North Randolph Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Champaign, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Champaign, IL
More trips to Champaign, IL
Explore more options from Chatham, IL or browse trips ending in Champaign, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.