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Create accountDrive Time
5h 1m
Distance
255.7 mi
412 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Spanning 255.7 miles across the Illinois Midwest, this trip between Guilford and Champaign typically takes about 5 hours and 1 minute to complete. Because the total duration is manageable, you can easily tackle this drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $39 for fuel, keeping your travel costs predictable. You will navigate primarily via the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, I-39, and I-74. This route is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that connects two distinct parts of the state, making it a reliable choice for commuters or weekend travelers looking for a direct path.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
127.9 miles from Guilford, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 41m into the drive .
With 68% of your travel occurring on major highways, this trip is designed for efficiency and steady speeds. You will spend the bulk of your time on the interstates, including a significant 118.2-mile stretch on I-39 that serves as the backbone of your journey. While the route is largely an interstate grind, the transition between the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway and the interstate system provides some variety in your driving environment. It is a no-nonsense, high-speed trek that prioritizes getting you to your destination quickly. Behind the wheel, you should prepare for long, uninterrupted periods of driving that demand consistent focus and attention.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
723 ft
Total Descent
744 ft
Highest Point
921 ft
~117.2 mi in
Elevation Range
269 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 39 and U.S. Grant Memorial Highway. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in near CR 4 / North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 255.7 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles (CR 4 / North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road): Navigation decision point; at 198.7 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 206.3 miles (I 74; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 CR 4 / North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road
Navigation decision point
Keep slight right at fork onto US 51 toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; US 51 toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Neil Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Keep slight right at fork toward Neil Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Between Guilford, IL and Champaign, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Decatur.
Saint Louis
Decatur
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 39 | 118.2 mi | 2h 6m |
| U.S. Grant Memorial Highway | 55.6 mi | 1h 10m |
| I 74 | 48 mi | 51m |
| West State Road | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road | 8.1 mi | 14m |
| US 51 | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| West North Avenue | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| West Rawlins Road | 1.9 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Guilford, IL and Champaign, IL.
Start on West Guilford Road
Continue on West Rawlins Road
At end of road, turn right onto CR 4
At end of road, turn left onto US 20
Continue on US 20
Continue on US 20
Continue on US 20
Continue on US 20
Continue on US 20
Continue on US 20
Continue on US 20
Continue on US 20
Continue on US 20
Take the exit
Merge onto I 39; US 51
Keep slight right at fork onto US 51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; US 51
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right onto North Neil Street
Arrive at destination
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 5-hour duration and stay alert. Since the longest leg is over 118 miles, ensure your fuel tank is topped off before hitting I-39 to avoid unnecessary detours. Leaving early in the day is your best strategy to navigate the interstate sections while traffic is lighter. Because this is a one-day trip, the schedule offers you plenty of flexibility to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected road conditions. Keep a close eye on your mileage, as the 255.7-mile distance is substantial enough that even minor delays can impact your arrival time in Champaign.
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 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.9 miles or 2h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Champaign, IL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Guilford, 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 Guilford, IL
This is one driving day of about 255.7 miles and 5h 1m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 127.9 mi from Guilford, IL · 2h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
128 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 127.9 miles from Guilford, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 39 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.2 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.
Regular Gas
$38.84 one way
$77.68 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $42.81 | $85.63 |
| premium | $4.80 | $48.27 | $96.54 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $56.81 | $113.62 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.7 | 0 | $26.85 | $12.27 |
| Efficient EV | 63.9 | 0 | $22.37 | $10.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102.3 | 1 | $35.80 | $16.36 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Afternoon in Guilford on Sunday
Local time
3:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Rain Showers Likely
Destination
Afternoon in Champaign on Sunday
Local time
3:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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