Origin
Markham, IL
Afternoon in Markham on Sunday
Local time
4:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Markham, IL to Champaign, IL
Drive Time
2h 30m
Distance
132 mi
212 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 20m
★
6 AM
2h 30m
8 AM
2h 50m
10 AM
2h 37m
12 PM
2h 35m
3 PM
2h 38m
5 PM
2h 49m
8 PM
2h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Markham, IL
Mike Tyurin
Trip Overview
Traveling from Markham to Champaign covers 132 miles across the Illinois Midwest, typically taking about 2 hours and 30 minutes behind the wheel. Because of the manageable duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You should budget approximately $20 for fuel to complete the journey. The route relies heavily on major infrastructure, making it a straightforward connection between these two points. Whether you are heading down for a weekend or a quick visit, the path is simple enough to navigate without needing an overnight split. This highway-focused drive offers a consistent experience through the heart of the state.
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
66 miles from Markham, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient drive, as 97% of your travel occurs on highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-72, which accounts for a significant 122-mile uninterrupted stretch. While the journey transitions onto US Highway 67 and West University Avenue as you approach your destination, the experience remains dominated by fast, interstate-style road conditions. This is not a winding, technical route; instead, it is a steady, predictable trek across the landscape. You can anticipate a reliable, high-speed pace for nearly the entire duration of your trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 72 is the longest continuous segment at about 122 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 72 and US Highway 67. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 7.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Markham, IL to Champaign, IL is easy. At 2h 30m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 49.7 miles (I 72; US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.8 miles (North Randolph Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
7.5 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Take the exit toward I 72 East: Quincy
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 72 East: Quincy
5
49.7 mi into trip
|
~57m in
|
I 72; US 36
Take the exit onto I 72; US 36 toward I 72 East, US 36 East: Decatur
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 72 East, US 36 East: Decatur
4
131.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
|
North Randolph Street
Turn left onto North Randolph Street
Navigation decision point
5
131.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
|
West Park Avenue
Turn right onto West Park Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
132 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
|
North Neil Street
Turn right onto North Neil Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 72 | 122 mi | 2h 12m |
| US Highway 67 | 6.4 mi | 6m |
| West University Avenue | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| Markham Road | 1.1 mi | 4m |
| West Park Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Randolph Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Neil Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 72
— 122 mi, about 2h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Markham, IL and Champaign, IL.
1
Start on Markham Road
1.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Markham Road
2
Turn right onto US 67; IL 104
6.4 mi
·
6 min
·
US Highway 67
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 72 East: Quincy
4
Merge onto I 72; US 36
42 mi
·
45 min
·
I 72; US 36
5
Take the exit onto I 72; US 36
37 mi
·
40 min
·
I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 East, US 36 East: Decatur
6
Continue on I 72; US 51
43 mi
·
47 min
·
I 72; US 51
7
Continue on West University Avenue
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West University Avenue
Use the none lane.
8
Turn left onto North Randolph Street
364 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Randolph Street
9
Turn right onto West Park Avenue
458 ft
·
15 sec
·
West Park Avenue
10
Turn right onto North Neil Street
320 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Neil Street
11
Arrive at destination
North Neil Street
Trip Plan
Since your total drive time is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule to avoid peak traffic. Plan for one designated stop to stretch your legs, which will comfortably break up the 132-mile trek. Keep in mind that because the route is so highway-dependent, your fuel consumption will be most efficient if you maintain a steady speed on the long I-72 segment. Before you leave Markham, verify your fuel levels so you can complete the trip on your $20 budget without unexpected detours. Being prepared for the long, steady interstate stretches will make your transition onto West University Avenue much more relaxing as you arrive in Champaign.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66 miles from Markham, IL, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66 miles or 1h 15m 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 1m
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 Markham, 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 Markham, IL
This is one driving day of about 132 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Markham, 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 72 for about 122 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66 mi from Markham, IL · 1h 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 66 miles from Markham, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 72 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 122 miles.
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.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.05 one way
$40.10 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $22.10 | $44.20 |
| premium | $4.80 | $24.92 | $49.84 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $29.33 | $58.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.6 | 0 | $13.86 | $6.34 |
| Efficient EV | 33 | 0 | $11.55 | $5.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.8 | 0 | $18.48 | $8.45 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Destination
Champaign, IL
Afternoon in Champaign on Sunday
Local time
4:16 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
19 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
2h 30m 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 Markham, IL to Champaign, IL covers 132 miles and takes about 2h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 72, US Highway 67, West University Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 66 miles from Markham, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.05 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Markham, IL to Champaign, IL is easy. At 2h 30m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 49.7 miles (I 72; US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.8 miles (North Randolph Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Markham, IL to Champaign, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Champaign, IL
More trips to Champaign, IL
Explore more options from Markham, IL or browse trips ending in Champaign, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.
Explore maps for Markham, IL or Champaign, IL on MapSof.net.