Traveling from Markham to Champaign covers 132 miles across the Illinois Midwest, typically taking about 2 hours and 30 minutes behind the wheel. Because of the manageable duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You should budget approximately $20 for fuel to complete the journey. The route relies heavily on major infrastructure, making it a straightforward connection between these two points. Whether you are heading down for a weekend or a quick visit, the path is simple enough to navigate without needing an overnight split. This highway-focused drive offers a consistent experience through the heart of the state.
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
66 miles from Markham, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 72
122 mi
2h 12m
US Highway 67
6.4 mi
6m
West University Avenue
1.9 mi
4m
Markham Road
1.1 mi
4m
West Park Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
North Randolph Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
North Neil Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 72
— 122 mi, about 2h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Markham, IL and Champaign, IL.
1
Start on Markham Road
1.1 mi·4 min·Markham Road
2
Turn right onto US 67; IL 104
6.4 mi·6 min·US Highway 67
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 72 East: Quincy
4
Merge onto I 72; US 36
42 mi·45 min·I 72; US 36
5
Take the exit onto I 72; US 36
37 mi·40 min·I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 East, US 36 East: Decatur
6
Continue on I 72; US 51
43 mi·47 min·I 72; US 51
7
Continue on West University Avenue
1.9 mi·4 min·West University Avenue
8
Turn left onto North Randolph Street
364 ft·12 sec·North Randolph Street
9
Turn right onto West Park Avenue
458 ft·15 sec·West Park Avenue
10
Turn right onto North Neil Street
320 ft·10 sec·North Neil Street
11
Arrive at destination
North Neil Street
Trip Plan
Since your total drive time is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule to avoid peak traffic. Plan for one designated stop to stretch your legs, which will comfortably break up the 132-mile trek. Keep in mind that because the route is so highway-dependent, your fuel consumption will be most efficient if you maintain a steady speed on the long I-72 segment. Before you leave Markham, verify your fuel levels so you can complete the trip on your $20 budget without unexpected detours. Being prepared for the long, steady interstate stretches will make your transition onto West University Avenue much more relaxing as you arrive in Champaign.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66 miles from Markham, IL, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122 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 29 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66 miles or 1h 15m 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 1m
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 Markham, 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 Markham, IL
This is one driving day of about 132 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Markham, 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 122 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.5 and 132 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
7.5 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit toward I 72 East: Quincy
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 72 East: Quincy
5
49.7 mi into trip|~57m 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
4
131.8 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|North Randolph Street
Turn left onto North Randolph Street
Navigation decision point
5
131.9 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|West Park Avenue
Turn right onto West Park Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
132 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|North Neil Street
Turn right onto North Neil Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.64 one way
$41.27 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$22.66
$45.32
premium
$4.89
$25.40
$50.80
diesel
$5.61
$29.14
$58.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.6
0
$13.86
$6.34
Efficient EV
33
0
$11.55
$5.28
EV Truck/SUV
52.8
0
$18.48
$8.45
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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 19, 2026
Origin
Markham, IL
Late night
in Markham on Tuesday
Local time
4:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Champaign, IL
Late night
in Champaign on Tuesday
Local time
4:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Riverton, IL
66 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
25 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
2h 30m 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 highly efficient drive, as 97% of your travel occurs on highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-72, which accounts for a significant 122-mile uninterrupted stretch. While the journey transitions onto US Highway 67 and West University Avenue as you approach your destination, the experience remains dominated by fast, interstate-style road conditions. This is not a winding, technical route; instead, it is a steady, predictable trek across the landscape. You can anticipate a reliable, high-speed pace for nearly the entire duration of your trip.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 122 mi on I 72.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 72 and US Highway 67. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 7.5 miles in.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Markham, IL to Champaign, IL is easy. At 2h 30m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 49.7 miles (I 72; US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.8 miles (North Randolph Street): Navigation decision point.
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
The longest stretch is about 122 miles on I 72. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 49.7 miles (I 72; US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.8 miles (North Randolph Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Champaign, IL before heading back.
