Origin
Ashland, IL
Evening in Ashland on Sunday
Local time
5:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ashland, IL to Champaign, IL
Drive Time
2h 10m
Distance
105.4 mi
170 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 1m
★
6 AM
2h 11m
8 AM
2h 29m
10 AM
2h 17m
12 PM
2h 15m
3 PM
2h 18m
5 PM
2h 28m
8 PM
2h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ashland, IL
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Ashland to Champaign, you are looking at a straightforward 105.4-mile journey through the heart of the Midwest. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 10 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. Since the drive is relatively short, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay, keeping your travel plans flexible. With a projected fuel cost of approximately $16, it is an economical route for a quick getaway or a necessary commute. The trek takes you across central Illinois, transitioning from the rural landscapes near Ashland toward the more academic and urban environment of Champaign. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that gets you to your destination efficiently without the need for complex logistics.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
52.7 miles from Ashland, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily focused on highway travel, with 97% of your route dedicated to major roads like I-72, IL-125, and IL-97. You will settle into a rhythmic, highway-focused pace early on, as the route features a significant 79.6-mile uninterrupted stretch along I-72. While the initial segments involve state routes, the majority of your time will be spent cruising on the interstate. Do not expect technical twists or mountainous terrain; instead, prepare for a steady, predictable drive across the flat, open expanses of the Illinois plains. The transition from local roads to the high-speed interstate is seamless, allowing you to maintain a consistent velocity for the duration of the trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 72 is the longest continuous segment at about 79.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 72 and IL 125. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Yates Street.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Ashland, IL to Champaign, IL is easy. At 2h 10m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Yates Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (IL 125): Lane positioning matters here; at 105.2 miles (North Randolph Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Yates Street
Turn left onto South Yates Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
IL 125
At end of road, turn right onto IL 125
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
4
105.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
|
North Randolph Street
Turn left onto North Randolph Street
Navigation decision point
5
105.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
|
West Park Avenue
Turn right onto West Park Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
105.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
|
North Neil Street
Turn right onto North Neil Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 72 | 79.6 mi | 1h 26m |
| IL 125 | 11.9 mi | 17m |
| IL 97 | 11.1 mi | 19m |
| West University Avenue | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| East Fremont Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Yates Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Park Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Randolph Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 72
— 79.6 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ashland, IL and Champaign, IL.
1
Start on West Washington Street
194 ft
·
13 sec
·
West Washington Street
2
Turn left onto South Yates Street
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
South Yates Street
3
Turn right onto East Fremont Street
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
East Fremont Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto IL 125
11 mi
·
16 min
·
IL 125
Use the none lane.
5
Continue on IL 125
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
IL 125
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on IL 97
11 mi
·
19 min
·
IL 97
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on I 72; US 36
36 mi
·
39 min
·
I 72; US 36
8
Continue on I 72; US 51
43 mi
·
47 min
·
I 72; US 51
9
Continue on West University Avenue
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West University Avenue
Use the none lane.
10
Turn left onto North Randolph Street
364 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Randolph Street
11
Turn right onto West Park Avenue
458 ft
·
15 sec
·
West Park Avenue
12
Turn right onto North Neil Street
320 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Neil Street
13
Arrive at destination
North Neil Street
Trip Plan
Since the entire journey takes just over two hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, because this is a highway-heavy route, try to avoid peak commuter hours if you want to ensure the smoothest possible experience on the interstate. You likely won't need scheduled stops for a drive of 105.4 miles, but keeping a small buffer in your budget for that $16 fuel estimate is a smart move. Because the longest stretch of 79.6 miles occurs on I-72, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before hitting the interstate to avoid unnecessary detours. Use the early portion of the drive on IL-125 and IL-97 to get comfortable before merging into the faster-moving traffic of the main highway corridors.
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 52.7 miles from Ashland, IL, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.6 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 80 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.7 miles or 1h 10m 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 46m
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 Ashland, 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 Ashland, IL
This is one driving day of about 105.4 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ashland, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 72 for about 79.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52.7 mi from Ashland, IL · 1h 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 52.7 miles from Ashland, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 72 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.6 miles.
Arriving in Champaign, IL
The final approach into Champaign, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Champaign, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.01 one way
$32.02 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $17.65 | $35.30 |
| premium | $4.80 | $19.90 | $39.79 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $23.42 | $46.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.6 | 0 | $11.07 | $5.06 |
| Efficient EV | 26.4 | 0 | $9.22 | $4.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.2 | 0 | $14.76 | $6.75 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Champaign, IL
Evening in Champaign on Sunday
Local time
5:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°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
4 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 10m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ashland, IL to Champaign, IL covers 105.4 miles and takes about 2h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 72, IL 125, IL 97. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 52.7 miles from Ashland, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.01 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Ashland, IL to Champaign, IL is easy. At 2h 10m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Yates Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (IL 125): Lane positioning matters here; at 105.2 miles (North Randolph Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Ashland, IL to Champaign, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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