This 160.4-mile drive from Champaign, IL, to Bedford, IL, will take you about 3 hours and 14 minutes. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip perfect for a single day, so you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You'll be spending 96% of your time on major highways, with the longest continuous stretch covering 136.8 miles on I 72. Budget around $25 for fuel, making this an economical journey. Expect a typical Midwest drive with minimal fuss, ideal for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
80.2 miles from Champaign, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 29m into the drive
.
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
Primarily a highway experience, this route is designed for forward momentum. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on high-speed interstates and highways, with I 72 serving as your main artery for a significant 136.8-mile segment. This means consistent driving conditions and fewer opportunities for spontaneous stops. The 96% highway share indicates a drive that prioritizes reaching your destination quickly over leisurely sightseeing. Expect a focused, efficient transit through the Illinois landscape.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 136.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 72 and IL 100. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West University Avenue.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 14m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 10 key points
These 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.
7
82.1 mi into trip|~1h 31m in|I 72; US 36
Take the exit onto I 72; US 36 toward I 55 South, I 72 West: Saint Louis, Jacksonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South, I 72 West: Saint Louis, Jack...
6
87.4 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|I 72; US 36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36 toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Champaign, IL and Bedford, IL, road signs point toward Jacksonville and Detroit.
Jacksonville
82.1 mi in|~1h 31m|via I 72; US 36
Detroit
139 mi in|~2h 33m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 72
136.8 mi
2h 28m
IL 100
9.6 mi
14m
Illinois Route 100
7.8 mi
11m
West Church Street
1.9 mi
4m
865 North
1.5 mi
5m
Road 4000 East
1 mi
3m
874 North
0.8 mi
3m
Road 886 North
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 72
— 136.8 mi, about 2h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Champaign, IL and Bedford, 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
Take the exit onto I 72; US 36
5.3 mi·6 min·I 72; US 36
Toward I 55 South, I 72 West: Saint Louis, JacksonvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36
52 mi·55 min·I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward IL 100: Bluffs, Detroit
9
Turn left
88 ft·2 sec
10
Turn left onto IL 100
4.0 mi·6 min·IL 100
11
At end of road, turn right onto IL 100; IL 106
5.6 mi·8 min·IL 100; IL 106
12
Turn left onto IL 100
7.8 mi·11 min·Illinois Route 100
13
Turn left onto 865 North
1.5 mi·5 min·865 North
14
Continue on 874 North
0.8 mi·3 min·874 North
15
Continue on Road 4000 East
1.0 mi·3 min·Road 4000 East
16
Continue on Road 886 North
0.4 mi·1 min·Road 886 North
17
Arrive at destination
Bedford Road
Trip Plan
Given this drive's 3-hour duration, it's easily manageable as a day trip. Consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop and the longest stretch being over 130 miles, plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the long 136.8-mile segment on I 72, as services can be more spaced out on interstates. This route's efficiency means you can be quite flexible with your timing.
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 80.2 miles from Champaign, IL, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.8 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 35 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.2 miles or 1h 29m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bedford, 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 160.4 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Champaign, 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 72 for about 136.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.2 mi from Champaign, IL
· 1h 29m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.08 one way
$50.15 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$27.53
$55.07
premium
$4.89
$30.87
$61.74
diesel
$5.61
$35.41
$70.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
29 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Universal Charging Station
Decatur, Illinois
Other
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Decatur, Illinois
Other
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Champaign, Illinois
Other
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Champaign, Illinois
EV Connect
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Champaign, Illinois
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Champaign, Illinois
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Champaign, Illinois
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Urbana, Illinois
Tesla
1 DCFC
Other: 10
ChargePoint: 7
EV Connect: 3
Tesla: 3
Blink: 3
Tesla Destination: 2
Electrify America: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.1
0
$16.84
$7.70
Efficient EV
40.1
0
$14.04
$6.42
EV Truck/SUV
64.2
0
$22.46
$10.27
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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 18, 2026
Origin
Champaign, IL
Morning
in Champaign on Saturday
Local time
10:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 15 mph90% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 4:31AM CDT until April 20 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 4:02AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Bedford, IL
Morning
in Bedford on Saturday
Local time
10:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Grandview, IL
80 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
24 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
3h 14m 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 Champaign, IL to Bedford, IL covers 160.4 miles and takes about 3h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 72, IL 100, Illinois Route 100. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 80.2 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 $25.08 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 is a straightforward 3h 14m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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.
Between Champaign, IL and Bedford, IL, road signs point toward Jacksonville and Detroit.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
