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Trip from Buckhart, IL to Champaign, IL

Data updated 1 hour ago

Drive Time

1h 36m

Distance

79.4 mi

128 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 30m ★
6 AM
1h 37m
8 AM
1h 52m
10 AM
1h 42m
12 PM
1h 41m
3 PM
1h 43m
5 PM
1h 51m
8 PM
1h 33m

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

Downtown Buckhart, IL, IL

Buckhart, IL

Mike Tyurin

Trip Overview

Planning a trip from Buckhart to Champaign? This 79.4-mile drive will take you about 1 hour and 36 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily be on I-72, with some time on Mechanicsburg Illiopolis Road and Roby Road. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, it's an economical journey through the Midwest. This route is straightforward and efficient, ideal for getting from point A to point B without much fuss. No overnight stays are necessary for this relatively short distance.

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

39.7 miles from Buckhart, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 76% of the journey on interstates. You'll experience a solid 60.3-mile stretch on I-72, offering consistent speed and an uninterrupted driving experience. While the majority is high-speed travel, you'll briefly navigate local roads like Mechanicsburg Illiopolis Road and Roby Road, offering a slight change of pace before rejoining the interstate. Expect a smooth and direct experience for most of the trip, with minimal slowdowns.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 60.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 72 and Mechanicsburg Illiopolis Road. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in near North 730 East Road.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Buckhart, IL to Champaign, IL is easy. At 1h 36m with 76% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles (North 730 East Road): Navigation decision point; at 16.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 79.2 miles (North Randolph Street): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
2.5 mi into trip | ~3m in | North 730 East Road

Turn left onto North 730 East Road

Navigation decision point

4
16.5 mi into trip | ~25m in

Take the ramp

Navigation decision point

4
79.2 mi into trip | ~1h 36m in | North Randolph Street

Turn left onto North Randolph Street

Navigation decision point

5
79.2 mi into trip | ~1h 36m in | West Park Avenue

Turn right onto West Park Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
79.3 mi into trip | ~1h 36m in | North Neil Street

Turn right onto North Neil Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 72 60.3 mi 1h 5m
Mechanicsburg Illiopolis Road 7.2 mi 9m
Roby Road 4.3 mi 6m
West University Avenue 1.9 mi 4m
County Road 2675 North 1.5 mi 2m
Buckhart Road 1.1 mi 1m
Dye Road 0.8 mi 2m
Mecla Road 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 72 — 60.3 mi, about 1h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Buckhart Road

1.1 mi · 1 min · Buckhart Road
2

Continue on County Road 2675 North

1.5 mi · 2 min · County Road 2675 North
3

Turn left onto North 730 East Road

0.3 mi · 23 sec · North 730 East Road
4

Continue on Roby Road

4.3 mi · 6 min · Roby Road
5

Continue on South Church Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Church Street
6

Turn right onto East Main Street

0.4 mi · 57 sec · East Main Street
7

Continue on County Highway 3F

471 ft · 13 sec · County Highway 3F
8

Continue on Mecla Road

0.4 mi · 42 sec · Mecla Road
9

Continue on County Highway 33

0.1 mi · 13 sec · County Highway 33
10

Continue on Mechanicsburg Illiopolis Road

7.2 mi · 9 min · Mechanicsburg Illiopolis Road
11

Continue on Dye Road

0.8 mi · 2 min · Dye Road
12

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 49 sec
13

Merge onto I 72; US 36

17 mi · 18 min · I 72; US 36
14

Continue on I 72; US 51

43 mi · 47 min · I 72; US 51
15

Continue on West University Avenue

1.9 mi · 4 min · West University Avenue
16

Turn left onto North Randolph Street

364 ft · 12 sec · North Randolph Street
17

Turn right onto West Park Avenue

458 ft · 15 sec · West Park Avenue
18

Turn right onto North Neil Street

320 ft · 10 sec · North Neil Street
19

Arrive at destination

North Neil Street

Trip Plan

For this 1 hour and 36-minute drive, there's no need to rush, and you'll have plenty of flexibility. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid early commuter traffic if you're departing from the Buckhart area. With no designated stops in the data, you can easily plan your own breaks along I-72, keeping in mind the longest stretch is over 60 miles. Ensure your fuel tank is adequately filled before you begin, as the total fuel cost is estimated at $12, and services can be spaced out on longer highway segments.

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 39.7 miles from Buckhart, IL, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.3 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 79.4 miles or 1h 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 39.7 miles or 50m 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 20m

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 Buckhart, 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 Buckhart, IL

This is one driving day of about 79.4 miles and 1h 36m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Buckhart, 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 60.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 39.7 mi from Buckhart, IL · 50m into the drive

city in Macon County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Decatur, IL

40 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

Decatur, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 79.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Decatur, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 39.7 miles from Buckhart, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 72 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.3 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

$12.41 one way

$24.83 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 28 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $13.63 $27.26
premium $4.89 $15.28 $30.56
diesel $5.61 $17.53 $35.06

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 27.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 23.8 0 $8.34 $3.81
Efficient EV 19.9 0 $6.95 $3.18
EV Truck/SUV 31.8 0 $11.12 $5.08

Gas CO2

28 kg

EV CO2

9 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.

Forecast data refreshed 6 hours ago

Origin

Buckhart, IL

Night in Buckhart on Tuesday

Local time

11:43 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Champaign, IL

Night in Champaign on Tuesday

Local time

11:43 PM

CDT

Current temp

84°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SSW 20 mph 33% chance 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

29 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

1h 36m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Buckhart, IL to Champaign, IL covers 79.4 miles and takes about 1h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 72, Mechanicsburg Illiopolis Road, Roby Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39.7 miles from Buckhart, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.41 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 Buckhart, IL to Champaign, IL is easy. At 1h 36m with 76% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles (North 730 East Road): Navigation decision point; at 16.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 79.2 miles (North Randolph Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Buckhart, IL to Champaign, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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