How far is Alton, IL from Champaign, IL?
The driving distance from Alton, IL to Champaign, IL is about 170.6 miles (274.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 133.7 miles (215.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 51m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Sangamon County, Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Alton and Champaign.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alton and Champaign.
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1
Start on Alby Street
58 m · 10 sec · Alby Street
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2
Turn right onto East Broadway
649 ft · 22 sec · East Broadway
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3
Turn right onto Piasa Street
2192 ft · 37 sec · Piasa Street
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4
Continue on Martin Luther King Drive
1.5 km · 1 min · Martin Luther King Drive
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5
Turn right onto College Avenue
1274 ft · 26 sec · College Avenue
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6
Turn right
20 m · 1 sec
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward College Avenue
116 m · 10 sec · College Avenue
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8
Exit the roundabout onto College Avenue
3.6 mi · 6 min · College Avenue
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9
Continue on West Macarthur Drive
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Macarthur Drive
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10
Continue on West MacArthur Drive
1.4 mi · 3 min · West MacArthur Drive
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11
Continue on West Bethalto Drive
1.8 mi · 4 min · West Bethalto Drive
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12
Continue on State Route 140
9.6 mi · 13 min · State Route 140
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13
Continue on West State Street
1.3 km · 2 min · West State Street
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14
Continue on State Route 140
135 m · 14 sec · State Route 140
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15
Take the ramp left
1515 ft · 38 sec
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16
Merge slight left
67.2 mi · 1 hr 13 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 72 East, US 36 East: Decatur
37 mi · 40 min
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18
Continue straight
43.2 mi · 47 min
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19
Continue on West University Avenue
1.9 mi · 5 min · West University Avenue
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20
Turn left onto North Randolph Street
111 m · 12 sec · North Randolph Street
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21
Turn right onto West Park Avenue
140 m · 15 sec · West Park Avenue
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22
Turn right onto North Neil Street
97 m · 11 sec · North Neil Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Neil Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Alton and Champaign.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
State Route 140
Merge slight left
67.2 mi · 01h 13m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Alton and Mostly Sunny near Champaign.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Alton to Champaign?
The road trip is about 170.6 miles (274.5 km) and usually takes 02h 51m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Southern View is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85 miles from Alton and 85.6 miles from Champaign.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 133.7 miles (215.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:48 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.70 one way or $45.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Alton and Mostly Sunny near Champaign.
Stop Ideas Near Southern View
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Southern View.
Springfield station
Lincoln
Carlinville
Uptown Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Alton and Champaign. Straight-line distance: 133.71 mi (215.18 km).
#1 Alton
City in Madison County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 26,049 |
| Coordinates | 38.8906000, -90.1842800 |
| Altitude | 150 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Champaign
The most populous city in Champaign County, Illinois.
| Population | 89,390 |
| Coordinates | 40.1164200, -88.2433800 |
| Altitude | 225 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Neil Street (-88.243515, 40.11642)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 274 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.70 | $45.40 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.60 | $51.21 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.02 | $56.03 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.93 | $63.86 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Illinois · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.