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Trip from Lily Lake, IL to Champaign, IL

Data updated 17 minutes ago

Drive Time

3h 14m

Distance

134.6 mi

217 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
3h 3m ★
6 AM
3h 15m
8 AM
3h 38m
10 AM
3h 23m
12 PM
3h 21m
3 PM
3h 24m
5 PM
3h 37m
8 PM
3h 8m

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

Downtown Lily Lake, IL, IL

Lily Lake, IL

Josh Sorenson

Trip Overview

This 134.6-mile drive from Lily Lake, IL, to Champaign, IL, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 14 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via IL 47 and then transition to North 2700 East Road and North 390 East Road. With a fuel cost estimated at $21, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Midwest. The drive is considered a mixed experience, so plan for a bit of variety on the road. It's a convenient option if you're looking to cover ground without a long, multi-day commitment.

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

67.3 miles from Lily Lake, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 37% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 33.1 miles along IL 47, offering a good period of consistent travel. As you progress, the road character will likely shift, moving from more open highway sections to potentially more local road segments as you approach your destination. This blend means you'll experience different driving conditions, keeping things interesting behind the wheel.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
IL 47 is the longest continuous segment at about 33.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 around 105.4 miles in near IL 47 / South Sangamon Avenue.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 3h 14m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 105.4 miles (IL 47 / South Sangamon Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 123.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 124.1 miles (I 74): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

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

4
105.4 mi into trip | ~2h 34m in | IL 47 / South Sangamon Avenue

Turn right onto IL 47 / South Sangamon Avenue

Navigation decision point

4
123.8 mi into trip | ~3h in

Take the ramp toward I 74 East: Champaign

Navigation decision point

Toward I 74 East: Champaign
5
124.1 mi into trip | ~3h in | I 74

Merge onto I 74

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.
5
133.1 mi into trip | ~3h 11m in

Take the exit toward Neil Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 182 Toward Neil Street
7
133.4 mi into trip | ~3h 11m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Neil Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 182 Toward Neil Street

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
IL 47 33.1 mi 42m
North 2700 East Road 28.7 mi 44m
North 390 East Road 10.8 mi 15m
North Bridge Street 9.6 mi 15m
I 74 9 mi 10m
County Road 400 East 7.7 mi 10m
County Road 350 East 4.5 mi 6m
North 450 East Road 3.5 mi 4m
Longest stretch: IL 47 — 33.1 mi, about 42m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on IL 47

7.9 mi · 12 min · IL 47
2

Continue on IL 47

1.0 mi · 1 min · IL 47
3

Continue on IL 47

0.5 mi · 41 sec · IL 47
4

Continue on IL 47

0.9 mi · 1 min · Route 47
5

Continue on IL 47

3.3 mi · 5 min · Illinois Route 47
Use the left lane.
6

Continue on US 30; IL 47

2.8 mi · 3 min · United States Route 30
Use the left lane.
7

Continue on North Bridge Street

8.2 mi · 13 min · North Bridge Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
8

Continue on this road

10 mi · 16 min · this road
Use the straight lane.
9

Continue on North Bridge Street

1.3 mi · 1 min · North Bridge Street
10

Continue on IL 47

24 mi · 27 min · IL 47
11

Turn left onto IL 47

1.3 mi · 2 min · North Union Street
12

Continue on IL 47

22 mi · 35 min · North 2700 East Road
13

Continue on IL 47

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Center Street
14

Continue on IL 47

6.7 mi · 9 min · North 2700 East Road
15

Continue on IL 47

0.7 mi · 1 min · North 2750 East Road
16

Continue on IL 47

1.1 mi · 1 min · North 2775 East Road
17

Continue on IL 47

0.4 mi · 36 sec · North 2790 East Road
18

Continue on IL 47

0.4 mi · 32 sec · North 385 East Road
19

Continue on IL 47

11 mi · 15 min · North 390 East Road
20

Turn left onto IL 9; IL 47; IL 54

0.5 mi · 1 min · West 1st Street
21

Turn right onto IL 47

0.4 mi · 47 sec · South Sangamon Avenue
22

Continue on IL 47

383 ft · 7 sec · North 450E Road
23

Continue on IL 47

3.5 mi · 4 min · North 450 East Road
24

Continue on IL 47

2.1 mi · 2 min · County Road 450 East
25

Continue on IL 47

7.5 mi · 10 min · County Road 400 East
26

Continue on IL 47

4.5 mi · 6 min · County Road 350 East
27

Continue on IL 47

0.2 mi · 28 sec · County Road 400 East
28

Continue on IL 47

506 ft · 12 sec · North Lombard Street
29

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 74 East: Champaign
30

Merge onto I 74

9.0 mi · 10 min · I 74
Use the slight right lane.
31

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Exit 182 Toward Neil Street
32

Keep slight right at fork

140 ft · 5 sec
Exit 182 Toward Neil Street
33

Turn right onto North Neil Street

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Neil Street
34

Arrive at destination

North Neil Street

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of about 3 hours and 14 minutes, this trip is best suited for a single day. You'll have flexibility in your departure time, but consider leaving mid-morning to avoid potential early rush hour traffic and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop, you can easily manage your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before heading onto the longest stretch of IL 47, where services might be less frequent.

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 67.3 miles from Lily Lake, IL, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.1 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 56m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 67.3 miles or 1h 35m 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 41m

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 Lily Lake, 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 Lily Lake, IL

This is one driving day of about 134.6 miles and 3h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lily Lake, 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 IL 47 for about 33.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 67.3 mi from Lily Lake, IL · 1h 35m into the drive

city in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Joliet, IL

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Normal, IL

Fuel and coffee

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

Joliet, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 67.3 miles from Lily Lake, 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

$21.04 one way

$42.09 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $23.10 $46.21
premium $4.89 $25.90 $51.81
diesel $5.61 $29.72 $59.44

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: 47.1 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 40.4 0 $14.13 $6.46
Efficient EV 33.7 0 $11.78 $5.38
EV Truck/SUV 53.8 0 $18.84 $8.61

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 4 days ago

Origin

Lily Lake, IL

Night in Lily Lake on Tuesday

Local time

10:07 PM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Champaign, IL

Night in Champaign on Tuesday

Local time

10:07 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

21 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 14m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Lily Lake, IL to Champaign, IL covers 134.6 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 IL 47, North 2700 East Road, North 390 East Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 67.3 miles from Lily Lake, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.04 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 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 105.4 miles (IL 47 / South Sangamon Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 123.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 124.1 miles (I 74): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Lily Lake, IL to Champaign, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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