How far is Bethalto, IL from Champaign, IL?

The driving distance from Bethalto, IL to Champaign, IL is about 162.1 miles (260.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 127 miles (204.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 12m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
162.07 mi
02h 36m
Flight
127.02 mi
204.42 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bethalto.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
127.02 mi
Kilometers
204.42 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
162.07 mi
Kilometers
260.82 km
Drive Time
02h 36m

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 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Champaign
Fri, Apr 17, 12:36 PM CDT
Return by in Bethalto
Fri, Apr 17, 3:12 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bethalto
2026-04-17T10:00
Arrive Champaign
Fri, Apr 17, 12:36 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:36 AM to 12:36 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:18 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bethalto
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Clear Lake
IL

Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America

From Bethalto
80.7 mi
01h 18m
To Champaign
81.3 mi
01h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 14 mph S
Destination
82°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Bethalto and Champaign.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bethalto and Champaign.

  1. 1

    Start on West Sherman Street

    2 m · 1 sec · West Sherman Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Prairie Street

    2920 ft · 2 min · South Prairie Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Bethalto Drive

    1.2 km · 1 min · East Bethalto Drive

  4. 4

    Continue on State Route 140

    9.6 mi · 13 min · State Route 140

  5. 5

    Continue on West State Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · West State Street

  6. 6

    Continue on State Route 140

    135 m · 14 sec · State Route 140

  7. 7

    Take the ramp left

    1515 ft · 38 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    67.2 mi · 1 hr 13 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 72 East, US 36 East: Decatur

    37 mi · 40 min

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    43.2 mi · 47 min

  11. 11

    Continue on West University Avenue

    1.9 mi · 5 min · West University Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn left onto North Randolph Street

    111 m · 12 sec · North Randolph Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto West Park Avenue

    140 m · 15 sec · West Park Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto North Neil Street

    97 m · 11 sec · North Neil Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Neil Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Bethalto and Champaign.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 72 East
80.2 mi · 49%
State Route 140
77.2 mi · 48%
West University Avenue
1.93 mi · 1%
West State Street
0.79 mi
East Bethalto Drive
0.73 mi
South Prairie Street
0.55 mi
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 36m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+35.1 mi
127 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Clear Lake
01h 18m from Bethalto
Leave By
1:18 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Bethalto and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Champaign.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bethalto to Champaign?

The road trip is about 162.1 miles (260.8 km) and usually takes 02h 36m 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?

Clear Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.7 miles from Bethalto and 81.3 miles from Champaign.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 127 miles (204.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.1 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 1:18 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.57 one way or $43.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Bethalto and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Champaign.

Stop Ideas Near Clear Lake

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Clear Lake, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Clear Lake.

RAIL

Springfield station

7 mi away
East Washington and North Third Sts.
RAIL

Lincoln

41 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
RAIL

Carlinville

65 mi away
128 Alton Rd.
RAIL

Uptown Station

92 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bethalto and Champaign. Straight-line distance: 127.02 mi (204.42 km).

Bethalto

#1 Bethalto

Village in Illinois

Population9,201
Coordinates38.9092100, -90.0406600
Altitude160
CountryUnited States
Champaign

#2 Champaign

The most populous city in Champaign County, Illinois.

Population89,390
Coordinates40.1164200, -88.2433800
Altitude225
CountryUnited States
Start: South Prairie Street (-90.040616, 38.909217)
End: North Neil Street (-88.243515, 40.11642)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 261 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.72 gal
21.65 L · about $21.57
Round trip
$43.14
11.44 gal · 43.3 L
Estimated CO2
50.8 kg one way
Round trip: 101.7 kg / 224 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.57 $43.14
Mid-grade $4.25 $24.33 $48.65
Premium $4.65 $26.62 $53.24
Diesel $5.30 $30.34 $60.68

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Bethalto and Champaign. The current time is 10:00:34.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.