Trip from Cincinnati, IL to Champaign, 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

3h 13m

Distance

145.7 mi

234 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

3h 2m ★

6 AM

3h 14m

8 AM

3h 37m

10 AM

3h 22m

12 PM

3h 19m

3 PM

3h 23m

5 PM

3h 36m

8 PM

3h 6m

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 Ohio, United States; county seat of Hamilton County

Cincinnati, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Cincinnati, IL to Champaign, IL is 145.7 miles and takes about 3h 13m via I 57, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Illinois, making it a straightforward hop within a familiar region. The drive is considered a mixed experience, suggesting you'll encounter a variety of road types rather than a single monotonous stretch. Given its manageable length and reasonable duration, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, offering a practical way to travel between these two Illinois locations.

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

72.8 miles from Cincinnati, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 57	72.2 mi	1h 17m
County Road 925 E	16.2 mi	24m
United States Route 45	14.9 mi	22m
County Road 1400E	14.3 mi	20m
County Road 1600E	8.4 mi	12m
County Road 800 North	7 mi	10m
900E	2 mi	4m
West University Avenue	1.9 mi	4m

Longest stretch: I 57 — 72.2 mi, about 1h 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cincinnati, IL and Champaign, IL.

Start on County Road 1000N

1.0 mi · 4 min · County Road 1000N

Turn left onto 900E

2.0 mi · 4 min · 900E

Turn left onto IL 15

7.0 mi · 10 min · County Road 800 North

Turn slight left

0.2 mi · 32 sec

Turn straight onto US 45

3.8 mi · 5 min · County Road 1600E

Continue on US 45

1.0 mi · 1 min · Washington Street

Continue on US 45

4.6 mi · 6 min · County Road 1600E

Continue on US 45

1.4 mi · 2 min · County Road 1800N

Continue on US 45

0.4 mi · 34 sec · Central Street

Continue on US 45

0.5 mi · 48 sec · Central Street

Continue on US 45

14 mi · 20 min · County Road 1400E

Turn right onto US 45

16 mi · 24 min · County Road 925 E

Continue on US 45

15 mi · 22 min · United States Route 45

Turn right onto US 40; US 45; IL 33

0.2 mi · 33 sec · West Fayette Avenue

Turn left onto US 45

1.7 mi · 2 min · South 3rd Street

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I-57 North, I-70 East: Champaign, Terre Haute

Merge onto I 57; I 70

0.8 mi · 55 sec · I 57; I 70

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57

71 mi · 1 hr 16 min · I 57

Toward I 57 North: Chicago

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 235A Toward I-72 East: University Avenue

Merge onto I 72

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 72

Continue on West University Avenue

1.9 mi · 4 min · West University Avenue

Turn left onto North Randolph Street

364 ft · 12 sec · North Randolph Street

Turn right onto West Park Avenue

458 ft · 15 sec · West Park Avenue

Turn right onto North Neil Street

320 ft · 10 sec · North Neil Street

Arrive at destination

North Neil Street

Trip Plan

For this 145.7-mile trip taking just over 3 hours, you have plenty of flexibility. Consider departing in the morning to take advantage of daylight and reach Champaign with ample time. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to make it brief or extend it slightly based on your needs; the $23 fuel estimate suggests one fill-up should suffice. Keep an eye out for the transition from I 57 to the local roads like County Road 925 E, as this is where the driving character will change most noticeably. Since it's a single-day drive, you can easily adjust your schedule if needed.

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 72.8 miles from Cincinnati, IL, or about 1h 51m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.2 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 32 miles or 51m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 72.8 miles or 1h 51m 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 41m

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 Cincinnati, 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 Cincinnati, IL

This is one driving day of about 145.7 miles and 3h 13m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Cincinnati, 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 72.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Altamont, IL

73 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

Flora, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Altamont, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 72.8 miles from Cincinnati, 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 72.2 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 · home stretch

The Literary

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Champaign, Illinois

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 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

The Depot

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Neoga, Illinois

1 mi

The Literary

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 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 end, right off the route

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

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–8:30 pm

+12174032000

Visit website

The Depot

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Neoga, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12178953666

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route

Champaign, Illinois

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12175312800

1.5 mi from route

TA

1.5 mi from route

MY Garage Museum & Retail Store

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12175404277

Visit website

McAlister's Deli

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Halfway reset 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+12172407175

Visit website

Tk Grille

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Halfway reset 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 6–10 am

+12175407716

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 69.4 and 145.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

69.4 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in

Take the ramp toward I-57 North, I-70 East: Champaign, Terre Haute

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I-57 North, I-70 East: Champaign, Terre...

70.7 mi into trip | ~1h 49m in | I 57

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 North: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 57 North: Chicago

142.1 mi into trip | ~3h 5m in

Take the exit toward I-72 East: University Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 235A Toward I-72 East: University Avenue

145.5 mi into trip | ~3h 13m in | West Park Avenue

Turn right onto West Park Avenue

Navigation decision point

145.6 mi into trip | ~3h 13m in | North Neil Street

Turn right onto North Neil Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.78 one way

$45.56 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$25.01	$50.02
premium	$4.89	$28.04	$56.08
diesel	$5.61	$32.17	$64.34

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 51 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	43.7	$15.30	$6.99
Efficient EV	36.4	$12.75	$5.83
EV Truck/SUV	58.3	$20.40	$9.32

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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

Cincinnati, IL

Late night in Cincinnati on Tuesday

Local time

5:10 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Champaign, IL

Late night in Champaign on Tuesday

Local time

5:10 AM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

53°F

Altamont, IL

73 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

3h 13m 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 drive features a significant portion on I 57, accounting for 60% of the total mileage, which means you'll experience highway speeds for a good part of the journey. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 72.2 miles on I 57, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving on this main artery. The route also incorporates County Road 925 E and United States Route 45, introducing some local road segments into the mix. This blend offers a mixed drive profile, transitioning from faster highway travel to potentially slower, more varied local roads as you approach your destination.

60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 72.2 mi on I 57.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 69.4 miles in.

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 3h 13m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 69.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.7 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 142.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

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 Cincinnati, IL to Champaign, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Terre Haute along the way.

Terre Haute

69.4 mi in | ~1h 47m

About the Cities

Starting in Cincinnati, IL

Full guide →

Cincinnati is Ohio's third largest city and the largest metro region, and lies on the north bank of the Ohio River in Southwest Ohio in the United States of America. Cincinnati is distinct amongst Midwestern cities. Its culture is a mixture of the Northeast, Old South, Midwest, and Appalachia blended with a strong German-Catholic heritage. It was one of the United States' early boomtowns, and the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood is the largest National Historic District in the country. Today, it's part of a fast-growing metro area, and home to a remarkable blend of industry and architecture. Downtown Cincinnati is surrounded by picturesque foothills that add a beautiful backdrop to the Queen City and its legendary skyline – celebrated in the opening credits of television show WKRP in Cincinnati.

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 3h 13m. Total distance: 145.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (60%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 72.2 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 14 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Champaign, 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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Trip from Cincinnati, IL to Champaign, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

The Literary

The Literary

The Library Café

The Depot

Red Herring Vegetarian Restaurant

Basil Thai At Urbana

Bevier Cafe

Xinh Xinh Cafe

Honey Bee Cafe

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

EV Connect Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Electrify America Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Nissan Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Illini Prairie Rest Area - Northbound

Illini Prairie Rest Area - Southbound

Green Creek Rest Area - Southbound

Green Creek Rest Area - Northbound

Love's Travel Stop

Road Ranger

Pilot Travel Center

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

Petro Stopping Centers

Flying J Travel Center

Truckomat Truck Wash - Effingham

TA

MY Garage Museum & Retail Store

McAlister's Deli

Tk Grille

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Cincinnati, IL

Champaign, IL

Same local time

1 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 13m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Cincinnati, IL

Arriving in Champaign, IL

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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