Origin
Edwardsville, IL
Late night in Edwardsville on Tuesday
Local time
5:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Edwardsville, IL to Champaign, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h
Distance
160.7 mi
259 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 49m
★
6 AM
3h 0m
8 AM
3h 23m
10 AM
3h 8m
12 PM
3h 6m
3 PM
3h 9m
5 PM
3h 22m
8 PM
2h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Edwardsville, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 160.7-mile journey from Edwardsville, IL to Champaign, IL is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours to complete. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with 97% of the drive utilizing major interstates like I-72 and I-55, making for an efficient transit between these two Midwest locations. With a projected fuel cost of around $25, this drive is quite budget-friendly. While there's only one recommended stop, the relatively short duration means you can be quite flexible with your timing and pacing. It's a practical option for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
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
80.4 miles from Edwardsville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 72 | 80.2 mi | 1h 27m |
| I 55 | 74.4 mi | 1h 20m |
| Marine Road | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| West University Avenue | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| IL 143 | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| East Vandalia Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Park Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Randolph Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 72
— 80.2 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Edwardsville, IL and Champaign, IL.
1
Start on South Buchanan Street
120 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Buchanan Street
2
Turn right onto IL 143; IL 157
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Vandalia Street
3
Continue on IL 143
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Marine Road
4
Turn left onto IL 143
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
IL 143
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 55
74 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North: Chicago, Springfield
7
Take the exit onto I 72; US 36
37 mi
·
40 min
·
I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 East, US 36 East: Decatur
8
Continue on I 72; US 51
43 mi
·
47 min
·
I 72; US 51
9
Continue on West University Avenue
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West University Avenue
10
Turn left onto North Randolph Street
364 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Randolph Street
11
Turn right onto West Park Avenue
458 ft
·
15 sec
·
West Park Avenue
12
Turn right onto North Neil Street
320 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Neil Street
13
Arrive at destination
North Neil Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration and 160.7-mile distance, this trip is ideal for a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and less traffic. With a fuel cost estimated at $25 and only one stop suggested, you can be flexible with your breaks. The longest stretch is over 80 miles on I-72, so plan for a fuel and rest stop before or after this section if needed. Since the route is primarily highway, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is always a good practice, especially before entering longer stretches between services.
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 80.4 miles from Edwardsville, IL, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.2 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 35 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.4 miles or 1h 29m 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 25m
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 Edwardsville, 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 Edwardsville, IL
This is one driving day of about 160.7 miles and 3h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Edwardsville, 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 72 for about 80.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80.4 miles from Edwardsville, 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 80.2 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 75 decision points cluster between mile 3.7 and 160.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
3.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
4.1 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 55
Merge onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago, Springfield
Merge point - match speed before joining. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North: Chicago, Springfield
5
78.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m 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
5
160.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 59m in
|
West Park Avenue
Turn right onto West Park Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
160.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 59m in
|
North Neil Street
Turn right onto North Neil Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.12 one way
$50.25 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.58 | $55.17 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.93 | $61.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.48 | $70.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.2 | 0 | $16.87 | $7.71 |
| Efficient EV | 40.2 | 0 | $14.06 | $6.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.3 | 0 | $22.50 | $10.28 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Champaign, IL
Late night in Champaign on Tuesday
Local time
5:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Springfield, IL
80 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 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 highway-centric experience for the vast majority of this 160.7-mile drive, with 97% of the route on interstates. You'll spend a significant portion on I-72, including an uninterrupted stretch of 80.2 miles, which allows for steady progress. The main roads consist of I-72, I-55, and Marine Road, indicating a blend of major highway driving with some initial or final arterial road connections. This profile suggests a drive that prioritizes speed and directness over scenic detours, offering a consistent driving rhythm for most of the 3-hour trip.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.2 mi on I 72.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 72 and I 55. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 3.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Edwardsville, IL to Champaign, IL is easy. At 3h with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.4 miles (I 72; US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Starting in Edwardsville, IL
Full guide →Founded 1818
Edwardsville is a city in St. Louis Metro East, Illinois.
Top landmarks
- • Madison County Sheriff's House and Jail — Edwardsville, Illinois, listed on the NRHP in Madison County
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. Total distance: 160.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.2 miles on I 72. 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: at 3.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.4 miles (I 72; US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 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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