Drive Time
3h 5m
Distance
138.6 mi
223 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
Photo: Mike Tyurin
The drive from Champaign, IL to Albion, IL covers 138.6 miles and takes about 3h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 57, County Road 1150, North 1250th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 45.5 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.05 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
69.3 miles from Champaign, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .
The drive from Champaign, IL to Albion, IL covers 138.6 miles and takes about 3h 5m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West University Avenue.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 5m drive. You will face about 8 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto West University Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto North Randolph Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto West Church Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 57 South: Memphis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Take the exit toward IL 16 East: Charleston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 45.5 mi | 48m |
| County Road 1150 | 24.1 mi | 32m |
| North 1250th Street | 13.3 mi | 19m |
| South Van Buren Street | 11 mi | 15m |
| Route 130 | 10 mi | 14m |
| County Road 1100 East | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Illinois Route 16 | 6 mi | 8m |
| North Haughton Highway | 4.4 mi | 6m |
Step-by-step road directions between Champaign, IL and Albion, IL.
Start on North Neil Street
Turn right onto West University Avenue
Turn right onto North Randolph Street
Turn left onto West Church Street
Continue on I 72
Take the exit
Merge onto I 57
Take the exit
Turn straight onto IL 16
Continue on IL 16
Continue on IL 16
Turn right onto IL 130
Continue on IL 130
Continue on IL 130
Continue on IL 130
Continue on IL 130
Continue on IL 130
Continue on IL 130
Continue on IL 130
Continue on IL 130
Continue on IL 130
Turn left onto IL 130
Continue on IL 130
Continue on IL 130
Continue on IL 130
Arrive at destination
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.
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 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.3 miles or 1h 26m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albion, IL than in the middle of the route.
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 138.6 miles and 3h 5m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 69.3 mi from Champaign, IL · 1h 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 69.3 miles from Champaign, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Albion, 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 Albion, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$21.05 one way
$42.10 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $23.21 | $46.41 |
| premium | $4.80 | $26.16 | $52.33 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $30.79 | $61.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.6 | 0 | $14.55 | $6.65 |
| Efficient EV | 34.7 | 0 | $12.13 | $5.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.4 | 0 | $19.40 | $8.87 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Champaign on Saturday
Local time
4:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Albion on Saturday
Local time
4:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
55°F
Decatur, IL
69 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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