If you are planning a trip from Collinsville to Champaign, expect a 166-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 32 minutes to complete. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. You should budget approximately $25 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Midwest locations. Because the path relies on local roads rather than major interstates, you can anticipate a more personal, hands-on driving experience. It serves as a straightforward connection for those looking to travel across the Illinois landscape without the monotony of high-speed highway traffic.
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
83 miles from Collinsville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
83.9 mi
1h 30m
I 57
71.4 mi
1h 16m
I 55
3.8 mi
4m
Vandalia Street
2.8 mi
4m
West University Avenue
1.9 mi
4m
I 72
1 mi
1m
South Morrison Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
West Park Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 83.9 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Collinsville, IL and Champaign, IL.
1
Start on this road
132 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto East Grove Avenue
59 ft·5 sec·East Grove Avenue
3
Turn right onto IL 159
0.1 mi·14 sec·South Morrison Avenue
4
Continue on IL 159
2.8 mi·4 min·Vandalia Street
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East
6
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
3.8 mi·4 min·I 55; I 70; US 40
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
84 mi·1 hr 30 min·I 70
Toward I 70 East: Indianapolis
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
71 mi·1 hr 16 min·I 57
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 235AToward I-72 East: University Avenue
10
Merge onto I 72
1.0 mi·1 min·I 72
11
Continue on West University Avenue
1.9 mi·4 min·West University Avenue
12
Turn left onto North Randolph Street
364 ft·12 sec·North Randolph Street
13
Turn right onto West Park Avenue
458 ft·15 sec·West Park Avenue
14
Turn right onto North Neil Street
320 ft·10 sec·North Neil Street
15
Arrive at destination
North Neil Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid the busiest local traffic. Plan for at least one stop during the 166-mile trek to stretch your legs and break up the turn-heavy sections. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you head out, as the $25 estimate can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and local price changes. Because you are navigating local streets, pay close attention to changing speed limits and intersection signage throughout the journey. Taking your time on these local roads ensures a much more comfortable and predictable arrival in Champaign.
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 83 miles from Collinsville, IL, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.9 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 37 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83 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 29m
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 Collinsville, 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 Collinsville, IL
This is one driving day of about 166 miles and 3h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Collinsville, 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 70 for about 83.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
$20 to $30
mile 83
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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 162.4 — 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|East Grove Avenue
Turn right onto East Grove Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|IL 159 / South Morrison Avenue
Turn right onto IL 159 / South Morrison Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
7.2 mi into trip|~10m in|I 70
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 toward I 70 East: Indianapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 70 East: Indianapolis
5
91 mi into trip|~1h 41m 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
5
162.4 mi into trip|~2h 57m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.95 one way
$51.90 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.49
$56.99
premium
$4.89
$31.95
$63.89
diesel
$5.61
$36.65
$73.30
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: 58.1 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
49.8
0
$17.43
$7.97
Efficient EV
41.5
0
$14.52
$6.64
EV Truck/SUV
66.4
0
$23.24
$10.62
Gas CO2
58 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
Collinsville, IL
Late night
in Collinsville on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Champaign, IL
Late night
in Champaign on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Brownstown, IL
83 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
4 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 5m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a mindless interstate cruise, as this route features zero percent highway travel. You will navigate through East Grove Avenue, South Morrison Avenue, and Vandalia Street, which gives the trip a distinctively local feel. Because the roads are primarily surface streets, you will find yourself navigating frequent turns rather than maintaining a steady pace on a long, straight stretch. This configuration keeps you engaged behind the wheel, requiring more focus than a typical freeway slog. Be prepared for a winding, technical experience that prioritizes local navigation over raw speed.
96% 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: 83.9 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and I 57. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Grove Avenue.
Driving Effort5/10
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 166 miles you will encounter 11 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 (East Grove Avenue): Navigation decision point; near the start (IL 159 / South Morrison Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 7.2 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 5m. Total distance: 166 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 5m 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 83.9 miles on I 70. 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 (East Grove Avenue): Navigation decision point; near the start (IL 159 / South Morrison Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 7.2 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Champaign, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
