Spanning 179.4 miles across the Illinois Midwest, this trip connects Summit to Champaign in approximately 2 hours and 46 minutes. Because the total duration is under three hours, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to budget roughly $27 for fuel, keeping the trip cost-effective for a quick getaway. Navigating this route requires a bit more attention than a standard highway cruise, as it relies on local roads rather than major interstates. It is a straightforward journey that moves you between two distinct points in the state with minimal logistical complexity.
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
88.8 miles from Summit, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
83.9 mi
1h 30m
I 57
71.4 mi
1h 16m
I 55
7.8 mi
8m
IL 157
6 mi
9m
Illinois Route 161
4.1 mi
6m
West University Avenue
1.9 mi
4m
I 72
1 mi
1m
Saint Clair Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 83.9 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Summit, IL and Champaign, IL.
1
Start on Hanna Drive
0.2 mi·43 sec·Hanna Drive
2
Turn right onto IL 161
4.1 mi·6 min·Illinois Route 161
3
At end of road, turn left onto Saint Clair Avenue
0.4 mi·35 sec·Saint Clair Avenue
4
Turn right
0.2 mi·37 sec
5
Turn straight onto IL 157
6.0 mi·9 min·IL 157
6
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·27 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East: Chicago, Indianapolis
7
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
7.8 mi·8 min·I 55; I 70; US 40
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
84 mi·1 hr 30 min·I 70
Toward I 70 East: Indianapolis
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
71 mi·1 hr 16 min·I 57
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 235AToward I-72 East: University Avenue
11
Merge onto I 72
1.0 mi·1 min·I 72
12
Continue on West University Avenue
1.9 mi·4 min·West University Avenue
13
Turn left onto North Randolph Street
364 ft·12 sec·North Randolph Street
14
Turn right onto West Park Avenue
458 ft·15 sec·West Park Avenue
15
Turn right onto North Neil Street
320 ft·10 sec·North Neil Street
16
Arrive at destination
North Neil Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning for one planned stop will help break up the drive comfortably. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition between Saint Clair Avenue and the other local roads, as the turn-heavy nature of the route requires steady attention. Factor the $27 fuel cost into your budget before you head out to ensure a stress-free experience. If you find yourself needing a break from the local roads, use your single stop to stretch your legs and reset before finishing the final leg of the 179.4-mile trek. Prioritizing a steady pace will make the nearly three-hour duration feel much more manageable.
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 88.8 miles from Summit, IL, or about 1h 42m 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 39 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.8 miles or 1h 42m 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 44m
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 Summit, 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 Summit, IL
This is one driving day of about 177.7 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Summit, 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.
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
$20 to $30
mile 102.5
Effingham, Illinois
Hours: 6–10 am
+12175407716
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 10.9 and 177.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
10.9 mi into trip|~17m in
Take the ramp toward I 55 North, I 70 East: Chicago, Indianapolis
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East: Chicago, Indianap...
5
18.8 mi into trip|~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
102.7 mi into trip|~1h 57m 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
174.1 mi into trip|~3h 14m 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
177.5 mi into trip|~3h 21m in|West Park Avenue
Turn right onto West Park Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.78 one way
$55.56 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.50
$61.01
premium
$4.89
$34.20
$68.39
diesel
$5.61
$39.23
$78.47
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.2 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
53.3
0
$18.66
$8.53
Efficient EV
44.4
0
$15.55
$7.11
EV Truck/SUV
71.1
0
$24.88
$11.37
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 17, 2026
Origin
Summit, IL
Morning
in Summit on Sunday
Local time
9:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Champaign, IL
Morning
in Champaign on Sunday
Local time
9:37 AM
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
26 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 22m 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 turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate via Route 161, Saint Clair Avenue, and I-55 North, which creates a more involved experience behind the wheel. Because you aren't spending your time on high-speed expressways, the journey feels more grounded and technical. The changing nature of these local roads demands your full focus, making the drive feel active and engaging. Be prepared to transition between different types of local thoroughfares as you make your way toward your destination.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 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 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 10.9 miles in.
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 177.7 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: at 10.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.8 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 102.7 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 Summit, IL to Champaign, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Indianapolis 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 22m. Total distance: 177.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). 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.
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.
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 10.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.8 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 102.7 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Champaign, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
