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Trip from University Park, IL to Champaign, IL

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

2h 3m

Distance

105.9 mi

170 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 54m ★
6 AM
2h 3m
8 AM
2h 21m
10 AM
2h 9m
12 PM
2h 8m
3 PM
2h 10m
5 PM
2h 20m
8 PM
1h 58m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown University Park, IL, IL

University Park, IL

Quang Vuong

Trip Overview

This 105.9-mile drive from University Park, IL, to Champaign, IL, is a straightforward 2-hour trip, making it an ideal day trip. With 91% of the journey on highways, you'll spend most of your time on Interstate 57. The estimated fuel cost is a modest $17, so you won't need to budget much for gas. Given its short duration and focused highway profile, this route is best tackled in one go without an overnight stop. It's a practical, no-frills drive through the Midwest, perfect for getting from point A to point B efficiently.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

52.9 miles from University Park, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 3m. Total distance: 105.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 91% of the drive taking place on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 94.2 miles, primarily on I-57. This means you'll be on faster roads for the vast majority of your travel, with minimal time spent on local streets like Market Street or South Governors Highway. The character of the drive is consistent for most of the journey, emphasizing efficiency over varied scenery.

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 94.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 3m drive. You will face about 13 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 (Sandra Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Burnham Drive): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (Stuenkel Road): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Sandra Drive

Turn right onto Sandra Drive

Navigation decision point

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Burnham Drive

Turn right onto Burnham Drive

Navigation decision point

4
2.2 mi into trip | ~5m in | Stuenkel Road

Turn left onto Stuenkel Road

Navigation decision point

5
6.2 mi into trip | ~12m in

Turn left toward I-57 South: Kankakee

Navigation decision point

Toward I-57 South: Kankakee
5
100.7 mi into trip | ~1h 53m in

Take the exit toward Market Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 240 Toward Market Street

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 57 94.2 mi 1h 40m
Market Street 3.9 mi 6m
South Governors Highway 2.2 mi 3m
University Parkway 1.8 mi 3m
West Monee Manhattan Road 1.1 mi 2m
Stuenkel Road 0.8 mi 1m
North Neil Street 0.7 mi 1m
Burnham Drive 0.3 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 57 — 94.2 mi, about 1h 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

203 ft · 16 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto Sandra Drive

244 ft · 12 sec · Sandra Drive
3

Turn right onto Burnham Drive

0.3 mi · 1 min · Burnham Drive
4

Turn left onto CH 49

1.8 mi · 3 min · University Parkway
5

Turn left onto Stuenkel Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · Stuenkel Road
6

Turn left onto South Governors Highway

2.2 mi · 3 min · South Governors Highway
7

Turn right onto CH 21

1.1 mi · 2 min · West Monee Manhattan Road
8

Turn left

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward I-57 South: Kankakee
9

Merge onto I 57

94 mi · 1 hr 40 min · I 57
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 26 sec
Exit 240 Toward Market Street
11

Turn left

96 ft · 5 sec
12

Turn left onto Market Street

3.9 mi · 6 min · Market Street
13

Turn right onto East Bradley Avenue

0.3 mi · 34 sec · East Bradley Avenue
14

Turn left onto North Neil Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Neil Street
15

Arrive at destination

North Neil Street

Trip Plan

For this efficient 2-hour drive, leaving anytime works well, but an early start can help you beat any potential commuter traffic. You won't need to worry about frequent stops, as the longest stretch is manageable. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before you begin the 94.2-mile segment on I-57, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination comfortably. Since this is a short, highway-centric trip, you have the flexibility to depart on your schedule without needing to plan for lengthy breaks.

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 52.9 miles from University Park, IL, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.2 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 23 miles or 30m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 52.9 miles or 1h 2m 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 38m

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 University Park, 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 University Park, IL

This is one driving day of about 105.9 miles and 2h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from University Park, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 94.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 52.9 mi from University Park, IL · 1h 2m into the drive

Downtown Onarga, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Onarga, IL

53 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

Bradley, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Clifton, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 52.9 miles from University Park, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.2 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.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Pullman National Historical Park

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...

18 mi from route ~44 min detour Free
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.56 one way

$33.11 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $18.18 $36.36
premium $4.89 $20.38 $40.76
diesel $5.61 $23.38 $46.76

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 37.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 31.8 0 $11.12 $5.08
Efficient EV 26.5 0 $9.27 $4.24
EV Truck/SUV 42.4 0 $14.83 $6.78

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (68% 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 11, 2026

Origin

University Park, IL

Night in University Park on Thursday

Local time

9:17 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Champaign, IL

Night in Champaign on Thursday

Local time

9:17 PM

CDT

Current temp

53°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

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

2h 3m 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 University Park, IL to Champaign, IL covers 105.9 miles and takes about 2h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, Market Street, South Governors Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 52.9 miles from University Park, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.56 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 2h 3m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Sandra Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Burnham Drive): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (Stuenkel Road): Navigation decision point.
The route from University Park, IL to Champaign, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.

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