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Trip from Sullivan, IL to Champaign, IL

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

1h 29m

Distance

69.1 mi

111 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 22m ★
6 AM
1h 29m
8 AM
1h 43m
10 AM
1h 34m
12 PM
1h 33m
3 PM
1h 35m
5 PM
1h 42m
8 PM
1h 25m

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

city in Illinois

Sullivan, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 69.1-mile drive from Sullivan to Champaign, Illinois, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 29 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $11, it's an economical choice for exploring the Midwest. The route primarily utilizes I-57, with portions of IL-121 and Charleston Avenue also incorporated. Expect a mostly highway-focused experience, making it a convenient option when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently. Given its short duration and minimal stops suggested, this trip offers a lot of flexibility in your schedule.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 29m. Total distance: 69.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (87%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

The journey from Sullivan to Champaign is characterized by its 87% highway share, meaning you'll spend most of your time on faster-paced roads. The longest stretch without a significant change in direction or road type is 45.1 miles on I-57. This highway-focused profile suggests a drive that prioritizes directness over winding backroads. While not explicitly detailed as scenic, the consistent highway conditions allow for a predictable and steady pace, making it a reliable transit route.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 45.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and IL 121. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Main Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 1h 29m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 17 miles (US 45; IL 16; IL 121 / Charleston Avenue): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | North Main Street

Turn left onto North Main Street

Navigation decision point

7
17 mi into trip | ~26m in | US 45; IL 16; IL 121 / Charleston Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto US 45; IL 16; IL 121 / Charleston Avenue toward US 45 South, IL 121 South, IL 16 East: Neoga, Toledo, Charleston

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 45 South, IL 121 South, IL 16 East: N...
5
65.5 mi into trip | ~1h 21m in

Take the exit toward I-72 East: University Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 235A Toward I-72 East: University Avenue
5
69 mi into trip | ~1h 28m in | West Park Avenue

Turn right onto West Park Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
69 mi into trip | ~1h 28m in | North Neil Street

Turn right onto North Neil Street

Navigation decision point

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Sullivan, IL and Champaign, IL, road signs point toward Toledo and Charleston.

Toledo

17 mi in | ~26m | via US 45; IL 16; IL 121

Charleston

17 mi in | ~26m | via US 45; IL 16; IL 121

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 57 45.1 mi 48m
IL 121 14.4 mi 21m
Charleston Avenue 3 mi 5m
Dewitt Avenue 2 mi 3m
West University Avenue 1.9 mi 4m
I 72 1 mi 1m
North 19th Street 0.5 mi <1m
North Main Street 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 57 — 45.1 mi, about 48m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on West Harrison Street

100 ft · 9 sec · West Harrison Street
2

Turn left onto North Main Street

0.1 mi · 25 sec · North Main Street
3

Turn right onto IL 121

14 mi · 21 min · IL 121
4

Continue on IL 121

2.0 mi · 3 min · Dewitt Avenue
5

Turn right onto US 45; IL 121

0.5 mi · 59 sec · North 19th Street
6

At end of road, turn left onto US 45; IL 16; IL 121

3.0 mi · 5 min · Charleston Avenue
Toward US 45 South, IL 121 South, IL 16 East: Neoga, Toledo, Charleston
7

Turn right

0.3 mi · 48 sec
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
8

Merge onto I 57

45 mi · 48 min · I 57
9

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 235A Toward I-72 East: University Avenue
10

Merge onto I 72

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 72
11

Continue on West University Avenue

1.9 mi · 4 min · West University Avenue
12

Turn left onto North Randolph Street

364 ft · 12 sec · North Randolph Street
13

Turn right onto West Park Avenue

458 ft · 15 sec · West Park Avenue
14

Turn right onto North Neil Street

320 ft · 10 sec · North Neil Street
15

Arrive at destination

North Neil Street

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 34.6 mi from Sullivan, IL · 47m into the drive

town in Illinois

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Arcola, IL

35 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

Mattoon, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Arcola, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 34.6 miles from Sullivan, 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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$10.80 one way

$21.61 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 24 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $11.86 $23.72
premium $4.89 $13.30 $26.60
diesel $5.61 $15.26 $30.51

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$11

Estimated CO2 emission: 24.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 20.7 0 $7.26 $3.32
Efficient EV 17.3 0 $6.05 $2.76
EV Truck/SUV 27.6 0 $9.67 $4.42

Gas CO2

24 kg

EV CO2

8 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 10, 2026

Origin

Sullivan, IL

Night in Sullivan on Thursday

Local time

10:33 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Champaign, IL

Night in Champaign on Thursday

Local time

10:33 PM

CDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

23 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

1h 29m 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 Sullivan, IL to Champaign, IL covers 69.1 miles and takes about 1h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, IL 121, Charleston 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 34.6 miles from Sullivan, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.80 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.
This is a straightforward 1h 29m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 17 miles (US 45; IL 16; IL 121 / Charleston Avenue): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Between Sullivan, IL and Champaign, IL, road signs point toward Toledo and Charleston.

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