Spanning 255.7 miles across the Illinois Midwest, this trip between Guilford and Champaign typically takes about 5 hours and 1 minute to complete. Because the total duration is manageable, you can easily tackle this drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $39 for fuel, keeping your travel costs predictable. You will navigate primarily via the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, I-39, and I-74. This route is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that connects two distinct parts of the state, making it a reliable choice for commuters or weekend travelers looking for a direct path.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
127.9 miles from Guilford, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 39
118.2 mi
2h 6m
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
55.6 mi
1h 10m
I 74
48 mi
51m
West State Road
9.8 mi
11m
North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road
8.1 mi
14m
US 51
7.6 mi
8m
West North Avenue
2.1 mi
3m
West Rawlins Road
1.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 39
— 118.2 mi, about 2h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Guilford, IL and Champaign, IL.
1
Start on West Guilford Road
0.4 mi·56 sec·West Guilford Road
2
Continue on West Rawlins Road
1.9 mi·4 min·West Rawlins Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto CR 4
8.1 mi·14 min·North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 20
0.7 mi·1 min·Madison Street
5
Continue on US 20
0.1 mi·20 sec·West Diagonal Street
6
Continue on US 20
0.4 mi·1 min·North Main Street
7
Continue on US 20
4.6 mi·6 min·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
8
Continue on US 20
0.5 mi·1 min·East Woodbine Street
9
Continue on US 20
6.4 mi·8 min·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
10
Continue on US 20
2.1 mi·3 min·West North Avenue
11
Continue on US 20
33 mi·41 min·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
12
Continue on US 20
9.8 mi·11 min·West State Road
13
Continue on US 20
11 mi·13 min·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Toward US 20 East: Chicago
14
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
15
Merge onto I 39; US 51
118 mi·2 hr 6 min·I 39; US 51
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 51
7.6 mi·8 min·US 51
Toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; US 51
48 mi·51 min·I 74; US 51
Toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, DecaturUse the slight right lane.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 182Toward Neil Street
19
Keep slight right at fork
140 ft·5 sec
Exit 182Toward Neil Street
20
Turn right onto North Neil Street
1.2 mi·2 min·North Neil Street
21
Arrive at destination
North Neil Street
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 5-hour duration and stay alert. Since the longest leg is over 118 miles, ensure your fuel tank is topped off before hitting I-39 to avoid unnecessary detours. Leaving early in the day is your best strategy to navigate the interstate sections while traffic is lighter. Because this is a one-day trip, the schedule offers you plenty of flexibility to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected road conditions. Keep a close eye on your mileage, as the 255.7-mile distance is substantial enough that even minor delays can impact your arrival time 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 127.9 miles from Guilford, IL, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.2 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 56 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.9 miles or 2h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 9m
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 Guilford, 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 Guilford, IL
This is one driving day of about 255.7 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Guilford, 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 39 for about 118.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 254.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
2.3 mi into trip|~5m in|CR 4 / North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road
At end of road, turn right onto CR 4 / North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road
Navigation decision point
6
198.7 mi into trip|~3h 57m in|US 51
Keep slight right at fork onto US 51 toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champai...
8
206.3 mi into trip|~4h 5m in|I 74; US 51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; US 51 toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business N...
5
254.3 mi into trip|~4h 57m in
Take the exit toward Neil Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 182
Toward Neil Street
7
254.5 mi into trip|~4h 58m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Neil Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 182
Toward Neil Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.98 one way
$79.95 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$43.89
$87.78
premium
$4.89
$49.21
$98.41
diesel
$5.61
$56.46
$112.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.7
0
$26.85
$12.27
Efficient EV
63.9
0
$22.37
$10.23
EV Truck/SUV
102.3
1
$35.80
$16.36
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 11, 2026
Origin
Guilford, IL
Night
in Guilford on Saturday
Local time
11:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Rain Showers Likely
SE 15 mph55% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Champaign, IL
Night
in Champaign on Saturday
Local time
11:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
5h 1m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 68% of your travel occurring on major highways, this trip is designed for efficiency and steady speeds. You will spend the bulk of your time on the interstates, including a significant 118.2-mile stretch on I-39 that serves as the backbone of your journey. While the route is largely an interstate grind, the transition between the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway and the interstate system provides some variety in your driving environment. It is a no-nonsense, high-speed trek that prioritizes getting you to your destination quickly. Behind the wheel, you should prepare for long, uninterrupted periods of driving that demand consistent focus and attention.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.2 mi on I 39.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 39 and U.S. Grant Memorial Highway. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in near CR 4 / North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road.
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 255.7 miles you will encounter 8 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: at 2.3 miles (CR 4 / North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road): Navigation decision point; at 198.7 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 206.3 miles (I 74; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
921 ft652 ft
Total Climb
723 ft
Total Descent
744 ft
Highest Point
921 ft
~117.2 mi in
Elevation Range
269 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Guilford, IL and Champaign, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Decatur.
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 5h 1m. Total distance: 255.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 118.2 miles on I 39. 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.
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: at 2.3 miles (CR 4 / North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road): Navigation decision point; at 198.7 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 206.3 miles (I 74; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Champaign, IL before the return drive.
