Origin
South Jacksonville, IL
Night in South Jacksonville on Thursday
Local time
10:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from South Jacksonville, IL to Champaign, IL
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
2h 16m
Distance
120.6 mi
194 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 7m
★
6 AM
2h 17m
8 AM
2h 36m
10 AM
2h 24m
12 PM
2h 22m
3 PM
2h 25m
5 PM
2h 35m
8 PM
2h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Jacksonville, IL
Mike Jones
Trip Overview
The drive from South Jacksonville, IL to Champaign, IL covers 120.6 miles and takes about 2h 16m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 72, East Morton Avenue, West University Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 113.6 miles on I 72. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.85 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.
Midpoint
60.3 miles from South Jacksonville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 16m. Total distance: 120.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 16m highway drive covering 120.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 72 and East Morton Avenue. The longest continuous stretch is about 113.6 miles on I 72.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 113.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 72 and East Morton Avenue. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near IL 267 / South Main Street.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from South Jacksonville, IL to Champaign, IL is easy. At 2h 16m with 95% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (IL 267 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 38.3 miles (I 72; US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.4 miles (North Randolph Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IL 267 / South Main Street
Turn right onto IL 267 / South Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
38.3 mi into trip
|
~44m 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
120.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
|
North Randolph Street
Turn left onto North Randolph Street
Navigation decision point
5
120.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
|
West Park Avenue
Turn right onto West Park Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
120.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
|
North Neil Street
Turn right onto North Neil Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 72 | 113.6 mi | 2h 3m |
| East Morton Avenue | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| West University Avenue | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| South Main Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Old Route 36 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| I 72 Business | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Park Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Randolph Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 72
— 113.6 mi, about 2h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Jacksonville, IL and Champaign, IL.
1
Start on East Vandalia Road
298 ft
·
17 sec
·
East Vandalia Road
2
Turn right onto IL 267
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
3
Turn right onto I 72 Bus; IL 104
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
East Morton Avenue
4
Continue on I 72 Business
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Route 36
5
Turn left onto I 72 Business
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 72 Business
6
Merge onto I 72; US 36
33 mi
·
36 min
·
I 72; US 36
7
Take the exit onto I 72; US 36
37 mi
·
40 min
·
I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 East, US 36 East: Decatur
8
Continue on I 72; US 51
43 mi
·
47 min
·
I 72; US 51
9
Continue on West University Avenue
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West University Avenue
10
Turn left onto North Randolph Street
364 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Randolph Street
11
Turn right onto West Park Avenue
458 ft
·
15 sec
·
West Park Avenue
12
Turn right onto North Neil Street
320 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Neil Street
13
Arrive at destination
North Neil Street
Trip Plan
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 60.3 miles from South Jacksonville, IL, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.6 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 27 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.3 miles or 1h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 50m
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 South Jacksonville, 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 South Jacksonville, IL
This is one driving day of about 120.6 miles and 2h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from South Jacksonville, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 72 for about 113.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 60.3 mi from South Jacksonville, IL · 1h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 60.3 miles from South Jacksonville, 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 113.6 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
$18.85 one way
$37.71 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.70 | $41.40 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.21 | $46.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.63 | $53.25 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.2 | 0 | $12.66 | $5.79 |
| Efficient EV | 30.2 | 0 | $10.55 | $4.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.2 | 0 | $16.88 | $7.72 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Night in Champaign on Thursday
Local time
10:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Riverton, IL
60 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 16m 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 South Jacksonville, IL to Champaign, IL covers 120.6 miles and takes about 2h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 72, East Morton Avenue, 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 60.3 miles from South Jacksonville, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.85 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.
The drive from South Jacksonville, IL to Champaign, IL is easy. At 2h 16m with 95% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (IL 267 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 38.3 miles (I 72; US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.4 miles (North Randolph Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from South Jacksonville, IL to Champaign, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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