This 184.7-mile drive from Round Lake, IL to Champaign, IL is a straightforward, one-day adventure that takes about 2 hours and 59 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $28, it's an economical trip. You'll be sticking to local roads for the entire journey, so expect a more engaged driving experience. This route is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The drive stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent feel throughout your travels.
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
89.2 miles from Round Lake, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
105.4 mi
1h 54m
Tri-State Tollway
48.5 mi
59m
Cicero Avenue
4.9 mi
7m
Market Street
3.9 mi
6m
Antioch Road
2.7 mi
4m
West Belvidere Road
2.1 mi
3m
East Park Avenue
1.9 mi
3m
North Milwaukee Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 105.4 mi, about 1h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Round Lake, IL and Champaign, IL.
1
Start on North Cedar Lake Road
215 ft·13 sec·North Cedar Lake Road
2
Turn sharp right onto IL 134
0.1 mi·12 sec·Railroad Avenue
3
Continue on IL 134
1.2 mi·2 min·East Main Street
4
Turn left onto IL 120
2.1 mi·3 min·West Belvidere Road
5
Turn right onto IL 83
0.3 mi·23 sec·Ivanhoe Road
6
Continue on Antioch Road
2.7 mi·4 min·Antioch Road
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on IL 137
0.2 mi·14 sec·Old Peterson Road
8
Continue on IL 137
1.4 mi·2 min·Peterson Road
9
Continue on this road
436 ft·18 sec·this road
Use the right lane.
10
Turn slight right onto IL 21
1.6 mi·2 min·North Milwaukee Avenue
Use the right lane.
11
Turn left onto IL 176
1.9 mi·3 min·East Park Avenue
12
Continue on IL 176
0.1 mi·19 sec·Rockland Road
13
Turn left
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 94 Toll East: Indiana
14
Merge onto I 94
9.1 mi·10 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
3.5 mi·4 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 294
0.9 mi·1 min·Mile-Long Bridge
19
Continue on I 294
8.5 mi·10 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
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.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 12AToward IL 50 South: Cicero AvenueUse the straight lane.
22
Turn straight onto IL 50; IL 83
4.9 mi·7 min·Cicero Avenue
Use the left lane.
23
Turn left onto 167th Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·167th Street
Use the left lane.
24
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 57 South: Kankakee, I-80
25
Merge onto I 57
105 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·26 sec
Exit 240Toward Market Street
27
Turn left
96 ft·5 sec
28
Turn left onto Market Street
3.9 mi·6 min·Market Street
29
Turn right onto East Bradley Avenue
0.3 mi·34 sec·East Bradley Avenue
30
Turn left onto North Neil Street
0.7 mi·1 min·North Neil Street
31
Arrive at destination
North Neil Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour-and-59-minute duration, leaving Round Lake in the morning is ideal to maximize your time in Champaign. While this is a relatively short drive with only one recommended stop, you have the flexibility to pull over as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially since you'll be on local roads for the entire 184.7 miles and the fuel cost is estimated at $28. A practical tip for this route is to be mindful of speed limit changes when entering and exiting towns, as you'll be passing through several on your way south.
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 89.2 miles from Round Lake, IL, or about 1h 55m 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 39 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.2 miles or 1h 55m 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 57m
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 Round Lake, 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 Round Lake, IL
This is one driving day of about 178.5 miles and 3h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Round Lake, 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 61.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|IL 134 / Railroad Avenue
Turn sharp right onto IL 134 / Railroad Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
8
21.1 mi into trip|~30m 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
48.6 mi into trip|~1h 5m 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
61.5 mi into trip|~1h 20m 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
61.7 mi into trip|~1h 21m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.91 one way
$55.81 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.64
$61.28
premium
$4.89
$34.35
$68.70
diesel
$5.61
$39.41
$78.82
Estimated Tolls: $2.91
Tri-state Tollway
(48.5 mi)$2.91
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
$28
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.6
0
$18.74
$8.57
Efficient EV
44.6
0
$15.62
$7.14
EV Truck/SUV
71.4
0
$24.99
$11.42
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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 15, 2026
Origin
Round Lake, IL
Afternoon
in Round Lake on Sunday
Local time
12:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Champaign, IL
Afternoon
in Champaign on Sunday
Local time
12:27 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
12 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
3h 36m 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 63.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive on this route, as the highway share is a solid 0%. You'll navigate through communities using roads like Railroad Avenue, East Main Street, and West Belvidere Road. Without significant highway stretches, you can anticipate frequent changes in speed and direction as you pass through various towns and residential areas. The lack of a longest uninterrupted stretch suggests a continuous engagement with the road, making it a dynamic experience for drivers who prefer not to settle into a long, monotonous highway cruise.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 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?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IL 134 / Railroad Avenue.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 178.5 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: near the start (IL 134 / Railroad Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 21.1 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Round Lake, IL to Champaign, IL, road signs begin pointing toward O'hare along the way.
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 36m. Total distance: 178.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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 $2.91 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: near the start (IL 134 / Railroad Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 21.1 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Champaign, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
