Origin
Champaign, IL
Afternoon in Champaign on Sunday
Local time
3:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Champaign, IL to Ashland, 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
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 2m
★
6 AM
2h 11m
8 AM
2h 29m
10 AM
2h 17m
12 PM
2h 16m
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 looking to travel from Champaign to Ashland, you can expect a straightforward 105.4-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes. This Midwest drive is best tackled as a simple one-day trip, as it is efficient enough that you won't need to worry about an overnight stay. Budgeting approximately $16 for fuel should cover your needs for the duration of the trip. Since the route relies heavily on major arteries like I-72 and IL-125, it is a highly practical connection for those moving across central Illinois. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, this drive provides a reliable, no-nonsense path between these two points.
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 Champaign, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 87% of this trip is spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a long, steady rhythm for the majority of the journey, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 79.9 miles along I-72. Once you transition off the interstate and onto IL-125 and East Jefferson Street, the pace shifts from a wide-open highway grind to a more localized feel. The drive maintains a consistent character, favoring speed and efficiency over complex terrain. You will spend most of your time behind the wheel focused on the open road ahead, making it a predictable and manageable experience for any driver.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 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 79.9 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 West University Avenue.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Champaign, IL to Ashland, IL is easy. At 2h 10m with 87% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West University Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (North Randolph Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (West Church Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West University Avenue
Turn right onto West University Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Randolph Street
Turn right onto North Randolph Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Church Street
Turn left onto West Church Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
104.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
|
North Athens Street
Turn left onto North Athens Street
Navigation decision point
4
105.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
|
East Washington Street
Turn right onto East Washington Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 72 | 79.9 mi | 1h 26m |
| IL 125 | 11.9 mi | 17m |
| East Jefferson Street | 8.5 mi | 15m |
| Clear Lake Avenue | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| West Church Street | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| East Washington Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Athens Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Randolph Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 72
— 79.9 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Champaign, IL and Ashland, IL.
1
Start on North Neil Street
42 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Neil Street
2
Turn right onto West University Avenue
463 ft
·
17 sec
·
West University Avenue
3
Turn right onto North Randolph Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Randolph Street
4
Turn left onto West Church Street
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West Church Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Continue on I 72
80 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
I 72
6
Continue on IL 97
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Clear Lake Avenue
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on IL 97
8.5 mi
·
15 min
·
East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on IL 125
12 mi
·
17 min
·
IL 125
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on East Fremont Street
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East Fremont Street
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto North Athens Street
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
North Athens Street
11
Turn right onto East Washington Street
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
East Washington Street
12
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time to avoid any potential peak traffic. Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you can easily complete the drive in one go, though you should plan your breaks based on your personal comfort. Keep a close eye on your fuel levels before merging onto I-72, as the 79.9-mile stretch offers limited opportunities to exit for services. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider timing your departure to avoid the midday sun or heavy commuter hours. Having a $16 fuel buffer ready ensures you won't have to worry about the logistics of refueling until you reach your destination in Ashland.
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 Champaign, IL, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.9 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.7 miles or 1h 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ashland, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Champaign, 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 Champaign, IL
This is one driving day of about 105.4 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Champaign, 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 79.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52.7 mi from Champaign, IL · 1h 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 Champaign, 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 79.9 miles.
Arriving in Ashland, IL
The final approach into Ashland, 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 Ashland, 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
Ashland, IL
Afternoon in Ashland on Sunday
Local time
3:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°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 cooler 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 Champaign, IL to Ashland, 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, East Jefferson Street. 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 Champaign, 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 Champaign, IL to Ashland, IL is easy. At 2h 10m with 87% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West University Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (North Randolph Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (West Church Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Champaign, IL to Ashland, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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