This 140.1-mile drive from Maywood, IL, to Champaign, IL, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day, taking about 2 hours and 46 minutes. You'll primarily be on major highways, including I-57 and the Tri-State Tollway, making for an efficient journey. With a projected fuel cost of around $22, this route is quite budget-friendly for a day trip. The drive stays within the Midwest region, connecting two points in Illinois. It's a practical option if you're looking for a direct and uncomplicated way to get between these two locations without needing to plan for an overnight stay.
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
70 miles from Maywood, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 26m 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 46m. Total distance: 140.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 140.1-mile route, with 77% of it being on major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 105.4 miles on I-57, which provides a consistent pace. While the majority of the drive is on interstates like I-57 and the Tri-State Tollway, you'll also encounter sections of Cicero Avenue. This mix suggests a predominantly fast-paced journey with opportunities for quicker travel, though some surface road driving will break up the interstate segments.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 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 105.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 0.6 miles in near South 17th Avenue.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 140.1 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 0.6 miles (South 17th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.8 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|South 17th Avenue
Turn left onto South 17th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
9
3.8 mi into trip|~6m in|I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora, Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 15A
Toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora...
7
4.7 mi into trip|~8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 294 Toll South: Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 294 Toll South: Indiana
8
23.1 mi into trip|~31m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12 B-A
Toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th...
8
23.3 mi into trip|~32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Exit 12A
Toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
105.4 mi
1h 54m
Tri-State Tollway
16.8 mi
20m
Cicero Avenue
4.9 mi
7m
Market Street
3.9 mi
6m
Eisenhower Expressway
2.4 mi
3m
Mile-Long Bridge
0.9 mi
1m
North Neil Street
0.7 mi
1m
Madison Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 105.4 mi, about 1h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maywood, IL and Champaign, IL.
1
Start on this road
163 ft·17 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto School Street
215 ft·14 sec·School Street
3
Turn left onto South 9th Avenue
330 ft·13 sec·South 9th Avenue
4
Turn right onto Madison Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Madison Street
5
Turn left onto South 17th Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·South 17th Avenue
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto Harrison Street
0.1 mi·20 sec·Harrison Street
7
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward I 290 West
8
Merge onto I 290; IL 110
2.4 mi·3 min·Eisenhower Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110
0.5 mi·40 sec·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 15AToward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora, IndianaUse the slight left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 294 South, IL 38 West: Indiana, Roosevelt Road
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 294 Toll South: IndianaUse the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto I 294
137 ft·1 sec·Tri-State Tollway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
3.5 mi·4 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 294
0.9 mi·1 min·Mile-Long Bridge
16
Continue on I 294
8.5 mi·10 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 12 B-AToward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 12AToward IL 50 South: Cicero AvenueUse the straight lane.
19
Turn straight onto IL 50; IL 83
4.9 mi·7 min·Cicero Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left onto 167th Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·167th Street
Use the left lane.
21
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 57 South: Kankakee, I-80
22
Merge onto I 57
105 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·26 sec
Exit 240Toward Market Street
24
Turn left
96 ft·5 sec
25
Turn left onto Market Street
3.9 mi·6 min·Market Street
26
Turn right onto East Bradley Avenue
0.3 mi·34 sec·East Bradley Avenue
27
Turn left onto North Neil Street
0.7 mi·1 min·North Neil Street
28
Arrive at destination
North Neil Street
Trip Plan
For this relatively short, 2 hour and 46 minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility. Consider departing in the morning to maximize your time at your destination. The route is primarily highway-based, so keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest 105.4-mile stretch on I-57, and plan your single stop accordingly. With a fuel cost estimate of $22, it's a good idea to fill up before leaving Maywood to ensure you have ample fuel for the entire journey.
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 70 miles from Maywood, IL, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.4 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 31 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70 miles or 1h 26m 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 15m
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 Maywood, 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 Maywood, IL
This is one driving day of about 140.1 miles and 2h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Maywood, 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 105.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 70 mi from Maywood, IL
· 1h 26m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 24.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.90 one way
$43.81 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$24.05
$48.10
premium
$4.89
$26.96
$53.92
diesel
$5.61
$30.93
$61.86
Estimated Tolls: $1.04
Tri-state Tollway
(16.8 mi)$1.01
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(0.5 mi)$0.03
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
$22
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42
0
$14.71
$6.72
Efficient EV
35
0
$12.26
$5.60
EV Truck/SUV
56
0
$19.61
$8.97
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Maywood, IL
Late night
in Maywood on Saturday
Local time
5:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Champaign, IL
Late night
in Champaign on Saturday
Local time
5:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 17 mph100% chanceLive 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
24 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 46m 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 Maywood, IL to Champaign, IL covers 140.1 miles and takes about 2h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, Tri-State Tollway, Cicero 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 70 miles from Maywood, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.90 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 140.1 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (South 17th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.8 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Maywood, IL to Champaign, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
