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Trip from Lawrenceville, IL to Champaign, IL

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

3h 3m

Distance

135 mi

217 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 52m ★
6 AM
3h 4m
8 AM
3h 27m
10 AM
3h 12m
12 PM
3h 9m
3 PM
3h 13m
5 PM
3h 25m
8 PM
2h 57m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

town in Illinois, USA

Lawrenceville, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Connecting Lawrenceville to Champaign, this 135-mile journey takes approximately 3 hours and 3 minutes to complete. Because the trip is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Expect to spend roughly $21 on fuel for the round trip, making this a budget-friendly way to navigate the Illinois heartland. You will primarily utilize IL 33, US 50, and I-57 to make your way north through the Midwest. It is a straightforward, functional route that gets you from point A to point B without unnecessary complexity.

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 Lawrenceville, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 79% of the route spent on high-speed roads. You will find yourself settling into a rhythm on I-57, which hosts the longest uninterrupted stretch of 44.8 miles. While the interstate sections allow for efficient travel, the transition from local state routes like IL 33 and US 50 to the larger highway system defines the experience. Expect a consistent pace behind the wheel as you move through the rural landscape. The road personality remains focused and steady, providing a predictable driving environment for the duration of your three-hour trek.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 44.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and IL 33. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 21.3 miles in near East Butler Street.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 3h 3m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 21.3 miles (East Butler Street): Navigation decision point; at 131.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 134.7 miles (North Randolph Street): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
21.3 mi into trip | ~30m in | East Butler Street

Turn left onto East Butler Street

Navigation decision point

5
131.3 mi into trip | ~2h 55m in

Take the exit toward I-72 East: University Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 235A Toward I-72 East: University Avenue
4
134.7 mi into trip | ~3h 2m in | North Randolph Street

Turn left onto North Randolph Street

Navigation decision point

5
134.8 mi into trip | ~3h 3m in | West Park Avenue

Turn right onto West Park Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
134.9 mi into trip | ~3h 3m in | North Neil Street

Turn right onto North Neil Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 57 44.8 mi 48m
IL 33 36.3 mi 53m
US 50 18.6 mi 25m
South Van Buren Street 11 mi 15m
County Road 1100 East 6.7 mi 9m
Illinois Route 16 5.3 mi 7m
Lincoln Avenue 2.5 mi 4m
West University Avenue 1.9 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 57 — 44.8 mi, about 48m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lawrenceville, IL and Champaign, IL.

1

Start on US 50 Business

0.7 mi · 1 min · State Street
2

Continue on State Street

0.3 mi · 29 sec · State Street
3

Take the ramp onto US 50 Business

0.4 mi · 1 min · US 50 Business
4

Continue on US 50

19 mi · 25 min · US 50
5

Turn right onto East Main Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
6

Turn right onto North Lincoln Avenue

481 ft · 18 sec · North Lincoln Avenue
7

Turn left onto East Butler Street

1.3 mi · 3 min · East Butler Street
8

Turn right onto IL 130

1.3 mi · 2 min · North West Street
9

Continue on IL 130

6.7 mi · 9 min · County Road 1100 East
10

Continue on IL 130

11 mi · 15 min · South Van Buren Street
11

Turn right onto IL 33; IL 130

36 mi · 53 min · IL 33; IL 130
12

Turn left onto IL 16

2.5 mi · 4 min · Lincoln Avenue
13

Continue on IL 16

5.3 mi · 7 min · Illinois Route 16
14

Continue on IL 16

0.4 mi · 38 sec · Charleston Avenue East
15

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
16

Merge onto I 57

45 mi · 48 min · I 57
17

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 235A Toward I-72 East: University Avenue
18

Merge onto I 72

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 72
19

Continue on West University Avenue

1.9 mi · 4 min · West University Avenue
20

Turn left onto North Randolph Street

364 ft · 12 sec · North Randolph Street
21

Turn right onto West Park Avenue

458 ft · 15 sec · West Park Avenue
22

Turn right onto North Neil Street

320 ft · 10 sec · North Neil Street
23

Arrive at destination

North Neil Street

Trip Plan

Since the drive is manageable in a single session, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Plan for at least one stop to break up the 135-mile trek, which helps keep you alert during the longer interstate segments. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto I-57, as services can be spaced out along the more rural portions of your path. Because you are navigating a mix of state roads and major interstates, adjust your speed carefully when transitioning between the varying speed limits of IL 33 and the interstate. Staying mindful of these shifts will ensure a smooth, stress-free arrival 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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.5 miles from Lawrenceville, IL, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.8 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 80 miles or 1h 57m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 67.5 miles or 1h 38m 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 33m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Champaign, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lawrenceville, 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 Lawrenceville, IL

This is one driving day of about 135 miles and 3h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lawrenceville, 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 57 for about 44.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 67.5 mi from Lawrenceville, IL · 1h 38m into the drive

city in Macon County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Decatur, IL

68 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

Decatur, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Decatur, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 67.5 miles from Lawrenceville, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Champaign, IL

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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.11 one way

$42.21 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $23.17 $46.35
premium $4.89 $25.98 $51.96
diesel $5.61 $29.81 $59.61

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: 47.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 40.5 0 $14.17 $6.48
Efficient EV 33.8 0 $11.81 $5.40
EV Truck/SUV 54 0 $18.90 $8.64

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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 16 hours ago

Origin

Lawrenceville, IL

Night in Lawrenceville on Tuesday

Local time

9:06 PM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Champaign, IL

Night in Champaign on Tuesday

Local time

9:06 PM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SSW 18 mph 23% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 3:46AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 9:43PM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

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

13 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

3h 3m 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 Lawrenceville, IL to Champaign, IL covers 135 miles and takes about 3h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, IL 33, US 50. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 67.5 miles from Lawrenceville, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.11 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 3m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 21.3 miles (East Butler Street): Navigation decision point; at 131.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 134.7 miles (North Randolph Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Lawrenceville, IL to Champaign, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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