Embarking on a 161.1-mile journey from Lincolnshire, Illinois, to Champaign, Illinois, will take approximately 3 hours and 13 minutes of driving time. This highway-focused route is best suited as a single-day trip, especially given its manageable duration and a projected fuel cost of around $25. You'll primarily navigate on I-57 and the Tri-State Tollway, with a portion on Cicero Avenue, offering a direct path through the Midwest. The drive offers a straightforward transition within Illinois, making it an efficient option for a quick excursion or a necessary commute.
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
80.5 miles from Lincolnshire, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
105.4 mi
1h 54m
Tri-State Tollway
40.2 mi
50m
Cicero Avenue
4.9 mi
7m
Market Street
3.9 mi
6m
Riverwoods Road
2.1 mi
4m
Mile-Long Bridge
0.9 mi
1m
North Neil Street
0.7 mi
1m
Deerfield Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 105.4 mi, about 1h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lincolnshire, IL and Champaign, IL.
1
Start on Londonderry Lane
0.1 mi·26 sec·Londonderry Lane
2
Turn right onto Riverwoods Road
2.1 mi·4 min·Riverwoods Road
3
Continue on Sanders Road
441 ft·18 sec·Sanders Road
4
Turn left onto Deerfield Road
0.3 mi·46 sec·Deerfield Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
6
Merge onto I 94
0.8 mi·53 sec·Tri-State Tollway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
23 mi·28 min·Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'HareUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
3.5 mi·4 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 294
0.9 mi·1 min·Mile-Long Bridge
11
Continue on I 294
8.5 mi·10 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 12 B-AToward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 12AToward IL 50 South: Cicero AvenueUse the straight lane.
14
Turn straight onto IL 50; IL 83
4.9 mi·7 min·Cicero Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto 167th Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·167th Street
Use the left lane.
16
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 57 South: Kankakee, I-80
17
Merge onto I 57
105 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·26 sec
Exit 240Toward Market Street
19
Turn left
96 ft·5 sec
20
Turn left onto Market Street
3.9 mi·6 min·Market Street
21
Turn right onto East Bradley Avenue
0.3 mi·34 sec·East Bradley Avenue
22
Turn left onto North Neil Street
0.7 mi·1 min·North Neil Street
23
Arrive at destination
North Neil Street
Trip Plan
For this 161.1-mile drive, leaving in the morning is advisable to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially on the tollways. With a duration of just over three hours, you likely won't need a long stop, but a single planned break around the halfway point would be comfortable. The fuel cost is estimated at $25, so ensure you have enough gas before heading out, particularly for the 105.4-mile stretch on I-57. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility; consider departing earlier on a weekday to benefit from lighter traffic on Cicero Avenue.
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 80.5 miles from Lincolnshire, IL, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.4 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 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.5 miles or 1h 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 2h 37m
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 Lincolnshire, 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 Lincolnshire, IL
This is one driving day of about 161.1 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Lincolnshire, 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 105.4 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.7 and 50.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
3.7 mi into trip|~7m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
6
31.2 mi into trip|~42m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
44.1 mi into trip|~57m in
Take the exit toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12 B-A
Toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th...
8
44.3 mi into trip|~58m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Exit 12A
Toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue
5
50.4 mi into trip|~1h 9m in|I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.19 one way
$50.37 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$27.65
$55.31
premium
$4.89
$31.00
$62.00
diesel
$5.61
$35.57
$71.14
Estimated Tolls: $2.42
Tri-state Tollway
(40.2 mi)$2.42
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.4 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
48.3
0
$16.92
$7.73
Efficient EV
40.3
0
$14.10
$6.44
EV Truck/SUV
64.4
0
$22.55
$10.31
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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Lincolnshire, IL
Late night
in Lincolnshire on Tuesday
Local time
4:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Champaign, IL
Late night
in Champaign on Tuesday
Local time
4:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°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
8 degrees warmer 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 44.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive leans heavily towards highway travel, with 65% of the route consisting of major roadways like I-57 and the Tri-State Tollway. Expect a predominantly fast-paced experience, punctuated by a significant uninterrupted stretch of 105.4 miles on I-57. While the majority of the journey involves higher speeds and consistent road conditions, the inclusion of Cicero Avenue might introduce slightly different traffic patterns as you approach your destination. Overall, it's a functional drive designed for covering distance efficiently rather than for scenic exploration.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.4 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.7 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 161.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.7 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 44.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 13m. Total distance: 161.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105.4 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.42 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Champaign, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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 3.7 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 44.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Champaign, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
