Drive Time
3h 33m
Distance
235 mi
378 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
Photo: Stéphane Tendon
The drive from Metropolis, IL to Champaign, IL covers 235 miles and takes about 3h 33m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Ferry Street, West 12th Street, North Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.89 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
117.5 miles from Metropolis, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 33m drive with frequent turns across 235 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ferry Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West 12th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| New Columbia Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Big Bay Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| New Columbia | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 57 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Ken Gray Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Metropolis, IL and Champaign, IL.
Start on West 5th Street
Turn left onto Ferry Street
Turn left onto West 12th Street
Turn right onto North Avenue
Continue on New Columbia Road
Turn right onto Big Bay Road
Take the ramp left toward New Columbia, Big Bay
Merge slight left
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
Merge slight left onto Ken Gray Expressway
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
Take the exit slight right toward I-72 East: University Avenue
Merge slight left
Continue on West University Avenue
Turn left onto North Randolph Street
Turn right onto West Park Avenue
Turn right onto North Neil Street
Arrive at your destination
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 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.5 miles or 1h 46m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Champaign, IL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Metropolis, 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 Metropolis, IL
This is one driving day of about 235 miles and 3h 33m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 117.5 mi from Metropolis, IL · 1h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
118 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 117.5 miles from Metropolis, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$34.89 one way
$69.78 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $39.35 | $78.70 |
| premium | $4.65 | $43.06 | $86.12 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $49.07 | $98.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.2 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70.5 | 0 | $24.67 | $11.28 |
| Efficient EV | 58.8 | 0 | $20.56 | $9.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94 | 1 | $32.90 | $15.04 |
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Metropolis on Saturday
Local time
8:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Champaign on Saturday
Local time
8:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
79°F
Frankfort, IL
118 mi in
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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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