Preston, IL to Champaign, IL is 212.9 miles and takes about 4h 23m via I 70 and I 57, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, traversing Illinois for its entirety. Given its mostly highway profile and single-day recommendation, it's a straightforward drive. Plan for a relatively efficient transit between these two points. The 78% highway share means you'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a good option when you need to cover ground quickly.
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
106.5 miles from Preston, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
83.9 mi
1h 30m
I 57
71.4 mi
1h 16m
North Illinois Street
9.8 mi
15m
West Myrtle Street
8.7 mi
12m
South Main Street
8.3 mi
12m
North Main Street
6.6 mi
9m
State Route 159
6.1 mi
9m
Baldwin Road
5.2 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 83.9 mi, about 1h 30m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,229 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,579
Quietest
2 AM
~230 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 49 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Preston, IL and Champaign, IL.
1
Start on Pautler Road
155 ft·8 sec·Pautler Road
2
Turn right onto Preston Road
0.5 mi·2 min·Preston Road
3
Turn left onto Baldwin Road
5.2 mi·12 min·Baldwin Road
4
Continue on South 5th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·South 5th Street
5
Turn left onto IL 154
8.7 mi·12 min·West Myrtle Street
6
Turn right onto IL 159
6.4 mi·9 min·North Main Street
7
Continue on IL 159
0.2 mi·13 sec·N Main St
8
Continue on IL 156; IL 159
0.2 mi·19 sec·North Main Street
9
Continue on IL 156; IL 159
6.1 mi·9 min·State Route 159
10
Continue on IL 159
8.3 mi·12 min·South Main Street
11
Enter roundabout onto IL 159
177 ft·4 sec·North Illinois Street
12
Continue on IL 159
9.8 mi·15 min·North Illinois Street
13
Continue on IL 159
1.3 mi·1 min·South Morrison Avenue
14
Continue on IL 159
2.8 mi·4 min·Vandalia Street
15
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East
16
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
3.8 mi·4 min·I 55; I 70; US 40
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
84 mi·1 hr 30 min·I 70
Toward I 70 East: Indianapolis
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
71 mi·1 hr 16 min·I 57
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 235AToward I-72 East: University Avenue
20
Merge onto I 72
1.0 mi·1 min·I 72
21
Continue on West University Avenue
1.9 mi·4 min·West University Avenue
22
Turn left onto North Randolph Street
364 ft·12 sec·North Randolph Street
23
Turn right onto West Park Avenue
458 ft·15 sec·West Park Avenue
24
Turn right onto North Neil Street
320 ft·10 sec·North Neil Street
25
Arrive at destination
North Neil Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 23m drive, consider leaving mid-morning to avoid peak rush hour traffic in either direction. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $38, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. The longest stretch without a major exit is 83.9 miles on I 70, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. Taking advantage of the flexibility offered by a shorter, single-day trip means you can depart and arrive at your convenience, but be mindful of potential construction or local traffic as you transition off the main interstates near 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 106.5 miles from Preston, IL, or about 2h 24m 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 47 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.5 miles or 2h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 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 Preston, 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 Preston, IL
This is one driving day of about 212.9 miles and 4h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Preston, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 36 and 212.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
36 mi into trip|~1h in|IL 159 / North Illinois Street
Enter roundabout onto IL 159 / North Illinois Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
54.1 mi into trip|~1h 27m 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
137.9 mi into trip|~2h 58m 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
209.3 mi into trip|~4h 15m 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
5
212.8 mi into trip|~4h 22m in|West Park Avenue
Turn right onto West Park Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.44 one way
$62.88 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$34.71
$69.42
premium
$4.72
$39.53
$79.06
diesel
$4.80
$40.20
$80.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.9
0
$22.35
$10.22
Efficient EV
53.2
0
$18.63
$8.52
EV Truck/SUV
85.2
1
$29.81
$13.63
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Preston, IL
Late night
in Preston on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:26PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:04PM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Champaign, IL
Late night
in Champaign on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 mph43% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:26PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:04PM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
66°F
Highland, IL
106 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
18 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
4h 23m 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?
You'll spend about 78% of this 212.9-mile drive on highways, primarily I 70 and I 57. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 83.9 miles on I 70, so expect extended periods of cruising. The route transitions to surface roads as you approach your destination, with North Illinois Street being one of the final segments. You'll notice a consistent flow of traffic on the interstates, with exits spaced relatively far apart during the longer highway portions.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 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 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 36 miles in near IL 159 / North Illinois Street.
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 212.9 miles you will encounter 14 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 36 miles (IL 159 / North Illinois Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 54.1 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 137.9 miles (I 57): 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 4h 23m. Total distance: 212.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). 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.
Yes — we found about 26 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 36 miles (IL 159 / North Illinois Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 54.1 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 137.9 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Champaign, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
