The Literary
Near the end, right off the route
Champaign, Illinois
Hours: 8 am–9 pm
+12179541500
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 42m
Distance
134.9 mi
217 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
19 DC fast
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clarendon Hills, IL
Mike Tyurin
The drive from Clarendon Hills, IL to Champaign, IL covers 134.9 miles and takes about 2h 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 57, Tri-State Tollway, Cicero Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 105.4 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.09 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
67.5 miles from Clarendon Hills, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m 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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 42m. Total distance: 134.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 2h 42m highway drive covering 134.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and Tri-State Tollway. The longest continuous stretch is about 105.4 miles on I 57.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near West Chicago Avenue.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 134.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (West Chicago Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 5.1 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn right onto West Chicago Avenue
Navigation decision point
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 105.4 mi | 1h 54m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 13.7 mi | 16m |
| Cicero Avenue | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| Market Street | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| East Ogden Avenue | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Mile-Long Bridge | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| North Neil Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Coe Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Clarendon Hills, IL and Champaign, IL.
Start on North Prospect Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto West Chicago Avenue
Turn left onto Coe Road
Turn right onto US 34
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 294
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
Continue on I 294
Continue on I 294
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn straight onto IL 50; IL 83
Turn left onto 167th Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 57
Take the exit
Turn left
Turn left onto Market Street
Turn right onto East Bradley Avenue
Turn left onto North Neil Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 30 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.5 miles or 1h 24m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Champaign, IL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Clarendon Hills, 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 Clarendon Hills, IL
This is one driving day of about 134.9 miles and 2h 42m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 67.5 mi from Clarendon Hills, IL · 1h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 67.5 miles from Clarendon Hills, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105.4 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Champaign, Illinois
Near the end, right off the route
Hours: 8 am–9 pm
+12179541500
Village Gourmet - Cafe & Catering
Clarendon Hills, Illinois
The Library Café
Champaign, Illinois
Top Coffee Stop
Manteno, Illinois
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Hours: 7 am–6 pm
+17795295090
Bonny's Bistro
Matteson, Illinois
Near the end, right off the route
Champaign, Illinois
Hours: 8 am–9 pm
+12179541500
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Clarendon Hills, Illinois
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+16303236885
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Champaign, Illinois
Hours: 9 am–8:30 pm
+12174032000
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Westmont, Illinois
Hours: 4–9 pm
+16306630401
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Gilman, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+18157075200
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Gilman, Illinois
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+18152657625
Early in the drive, short detour
Matteson, Illinois
Hours: 10 am–11 pm
+17087484400
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Urbana, Illinois
+12173672340
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Manteno, Illinois
Hours: 7 am–6 pm
+17795295090
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Matteson, Illinois
Hours: 9 am–11 pm
+17738964817
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Posen, Illinois
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Frankfort, Illinois
Hours: 9 am–6 pm
+18477444958
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
Chicago Ridge, Illinois
Hours: 7 am–1 pm
+17085813915
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Champaign, Illinois
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Champaign, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
+12175312800
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Champaign, Illinois
+18668167584
Near the end, short detour
Champaign, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Champaign, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Champaign, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
+12173528910
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Champaign, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Champaign, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Willowbrook, Illinois
Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~10 min detour
Frankfort, Illinois
Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm
+18154697124
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Regular Gas
$21.09 one way
$42.18 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $23.16 | $46.31 |
| premium | $4.89 | $25.96 | $51.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.78 | $59.57 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.83
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
19 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Champaign, Illinois
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Champaign, Illinois
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Champaign, Illinois
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Champaign, Illinois
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Champaign, Illinois
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Urbana, Illinois
1 DCFC
Electrify America Charging Station
Champaign, Illinois
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Savoy, Illinois
1 DCFC
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.5 | 0 | $14.16 | $6.48 |
| Efficient EV | 33.7 | 0 | $11.80 | $5.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54 | 0 | $18.89 | $8.63 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Clarendon Hills on Saturday
Local time
8:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Champaign on Saturday
Local time
8:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 2:43AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 1:54AM CDT until April 18 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
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
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.
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.
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