Benton, IL to Champaign, IL is 167.5 miles and takes about 3h 5m via Ken Gray Expressway and I 57, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, taking you from one part of the Midwest to another. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey that’s ideal for a single-day excursion. You’ll spend most of your time on well-maintained interstates, making for a predictable and efficient drive. Consider this route if you need a no-fuss way to get between these two Illinois locations.
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
83.7 miles from Benton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 5m. Total distance: 167.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 98% of the route utilizing major roadways like Ken Gray Expressway and I 57. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 91.4 miles on Ken Gray Expressway, which means you can settle in for a solid period of cruising. The character of the drive is consistent, dominated by the efficiency of interstate travel rather than winding backroads. Expect a smooth, predictable journey where the primary focus is covering ground quickly and comfortably.
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.
Ken Gray Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 91.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Ken Gray Expressway and I 57. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 25 miles in near I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway.
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 167.5 miles you will encounter 9 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 25 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 92.4 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 163.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
25 mi into trip|~27m in|I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
5
92.4 mi into trip|~1h 40m 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
163.8 mi into trip|~2h 57m 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
167.3 mi into trip|~3h 4m in|West Park Avenue
Turn right onto West Park Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
167.4 mi into trip|~3h 5m in|North Neil Street
Turn right onto North Neil Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ken Gray Expressway
91.4 mi
1h 38m
I 57
71.4 mi
1h 16m
West University Avenue
1.9 mi
4m
I 72
1 mi
1m
West Main Street
0.6 mi
<1m
West Park Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Public Square
<0.1 mi
<1m
North Randolph Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Ken Gray Expressway
— 91.4 mi, about 1h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Benton, IL and Champaign, IL.
1
Start on IL 14; IL 37
437 ft·10 sec·Public Square
2
Continue on IL 14
0.6 mi·55 sec·West Main Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
4
Merge onto I 57
24 mi·26 min·Ken Gray Expressway
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
67 mi·1 hr 12 min·Ken Gray Expressway
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
71 mi·1 hr 16 min·I 57
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 235AToward I-72 East: University Avenue
8
Merge onto I 72
1.0 mi·1 min·I 72
9
Continue on West University Avenue
1.9 mi·4 min·West University Avenue
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
With a drive time of just over 3 hours, this is a perfect same-day trip. You could easily leave in the morning and arrive in Champaign with plenty of daylight remaining. Given the relatively short duration and highway profile, you might only need one planned stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a clear exit point is over 90 miles. It's wise to fuel up before you get too low, especially if you're traveling during off-peak hours when services might be less frequent.
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 83.7 miles from Benton, IL, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.4 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 37 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.7 miles or 1h 31m 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 28m
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 Benton, 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 Benton, IL
This is one driving day of about 167.5 miles and 3h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Benton, 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 Ken Gray Expressway for about 91.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.7 mi from Benton, IL
· 1h 31m into the drive
4.9 mi from route
~12 min detour
$20 to $30
mile 95.7
Effingham, Illinois
Hours: 6–10 am
+12175407716
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.19 one way
$52.37 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.75
$57.50
premium
$4.89
$32.23
$64.47
diesel
$5.61
$36.98
$73.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.3
0
$17.59
$8.04
Efficient EV
41.9
0
$14.66
$6.70
EV Truck/SUV
67
0
$23.45
$10.72
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Benton, IL
Afternoon
in Benton on Friday
Local time
4:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Champaign, IL
Afternoon
in Champaign on Friday
Local time
4:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Louisville, IL
84 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
21 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 5m 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 Benton, IL to Champaign, IL covers 167.5 miles and takes about 3h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ken Gray Expressway, I 57, West University Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.7 miles from Benton, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.19 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 167.5 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 25 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 92.4 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 163.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Benton, IL to Champaign, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
