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Trip from Saint Elmo, IL to Champaign, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 52m

Distance

98.5 mi

159 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 44m ★
6 AM
1h 52m
8 AM
2h 9m
10 AM
1h 58m
12 PM
1h 57m
3 PM
1h 59m
5 PM
2h 8m
8 PM
1h 48m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Fayette County, Illinois

Saint Elmo, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Saint Elmo, IL to Champaign, IL is 98.5 miles and takes about 1h 52m via I 57, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, specifically Illinois, making it a straightforward trip between two points in the same state. Given its short duration and highway focus, it's ideal for a single-day journey. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, so expect a practical, no-fuss travel experience.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

49.3 miles from Saint Elmo, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 57 71.4 mi 1h 16m
I 70 21.7 mi 23m
West University Avenue 1.9 mi 4m
I 72 1 mi 1m
Interstate Drive 0.8 mi 1m
East Cumberland Road 0.5 mi <1m
North Main Street 0.2 mi <1m
West Park Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 57 — 71.4 mi, about 1h 16m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Saint Elmo, IL and Champaign, IL.

1

Start on East 4th Street

145 ft · 11 sec · East 4th Street
2

Turn left onto North Main Street

0.2 mi · 55 sec · North Main Street
3

Turn right onto US 40

0.5 mi · 57 sec · East Cumberland Road
4

Turn left onto Interstate Drive

0.8 mi · 1 min · Interstate Drive
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Toward I-70 East: Effingham
6

Merge onto I 70

22 mi · 23 min · I 70
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57

71 mi · 1 hr 16 min · I 57
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
8

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 235A Toward I-72 East: University Avenue
9

Merge onto I 72

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 72
10

Continue on West University Avenue

1.9 mi · 4 min · West University Avenue
11

Turn left onto North Randolph Street

364 ft · 12 sec · North Randolph Street
12

Turn right onto West Park Avenue

458 ft · 15 sec · West Park Avenue
13

Turn right onto North Neil Street

320 ft · 10 sec · North Neil Street
14

Arrive at destination

North Neil Street

Trip Plan

With a drive time under two hours, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You could easily depart in the morning and arrive by lunchtime, or even leave after work for an evening arrival. Since the longest stretch is over 70 miles, consider a brief stop for gas or a stretch break around the halfway point, especially if you're not familiar with the I 57 corridor. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be spread out on stretches of I 57.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 49.3 miles from Saint Elmo, IL, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.4 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 22 miles or 26m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 49.3 miles or 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 1h 29m

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 Saint Elmo, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Saint Elmo, IL

This is one driving day of about 98.5 miles and 1h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Saint Elmo, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 71.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mattoon, IL

49 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Mattoon, IL to Champaign, IL

51.9 mi · 1h 3m

Pacing Suggestions

Watson, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mattoon, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 49.3 miles from Saint Elmo, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · early in the drive

Golden Corral Buffet & Grill

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Effingham, Illinois

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch · 24min in 0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12176904884

Visit website

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Effingham, Illinois

0.2 mi

Fujiyama Japanese Steakhouse (Effingham)

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Effingham, Illinois

0.5 mi

Golden Corral Buffet & Grill

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12176904884

Visit website

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12173477130

Visit website

Fujiyama Japanese Steakhouse (Effingham)

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+12173423833

Visit website

Lickin' My Chicken & Pullin' My Pork BBQ

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12179940683

Visit website

Chili's Grill & Bar

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12172946248

Visit website

Panera Bread

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12172403001

Visit website

El Rancherito Inc

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12173424753

Visit website

Denny's Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12173424543

Visit website

Feed the Crave Coffee & Roastery

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Altamont, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–12 pm

+16183399919

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route

Champaign, Illinois

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12175312800

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Champaign, Illinois

+18668167584

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

McAlister's Deli

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+12172407175

Visit website

Tk Grille

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 6–10 am

+12175407716

MY Garage Museum & Retail Store

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Effingham, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12175404277

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 98.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | North Main Street

Turn left onto North Main Street

Navigation decision point

5
1.6 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp toward I-70 East: Effingham

Navigation decision point

Toward I-70 East: Effingham
5
23.5 mi into trip | ~27m 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
94.9 mi into trip | ~1h 44m 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
98.4 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in | West Park Avenue

Turn right onto West Park Avenue

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.40 one way

$30.80 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 35 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $16.91 $33.82
premium $4.89 $18.96 $37.91
diesel $5.61 $21.75 $43.50

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 34.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 29.5 0 $10.34 $4.73
Efficient EV 24.6 0 $8.62 $3.94
EV Truck/SUV 39.4 0 $13.79 $6.30

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (65% 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

Saint Elmo, IL

Morning in Saint Elmo on Tuesday

Local time

7:02 AM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Champaign, IL

Morning in Champaign on Tuesday

Local time

7:02 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

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

1h 52m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a highway-focused drive, with 95% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 71.4 miles on I 57. The journey predominantly involves fast-paced interstate travel, meaning you'll cover ground efficiently. The route's character is consistent, offering a predictable driving experience for its entire 98.5-mile length.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.4 mi on I 57.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and I 70. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Main Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 98.5 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 23.5 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

About the Cities

Arriving in Champaign, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1855

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

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 98.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 71.4 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 23.5 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Champaign, IL before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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