How far is Carol Stream, IL from Champaign, IL?

The driving distance from Carol Stream, IL to Champaign, IL is about 157 miles (252.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 31m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 124.2 miles (199.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 02m 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
157.04 mi
02h 31m
Flight
124.23 mi
199.93 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Carol Stream.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
124.23 mi
Kilometers
199.93 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
157.04 mi
Kilometers
252.73 km
Drive Time
02h 31m

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 31m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Champaign
Sat, May 2, 12:35 AM CDT
Return by in Carol Stream
Sat, May 2, 3:06 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Carol Stream
2026-05-01T22:04
Arrive Champaign
Sat, May 2, 12:35 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 31m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:31 AM to 12:31 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:28 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Carol Stream
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
Bradley
IL

Village in Illinois, United States

From Carol Stream
77.5 mi
01h 15m
To Champaign
79.5 mi
01h 15m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Friday

Areas Of Frost then Partly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NNW
Destination
57°F
Friday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 12 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Carol Stream and Champaign.

  1. 1

    Start on West Thunderbird Trail

    1243 ft · 55 sec · West Thunderbird Trail

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Aztec Drive

    49 m · 12 sec · Aztec Drive

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Thunderbird Trail

    62 m · 14 sec · Thunderbird Trail

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Kuhn Road

    2294 ft · 59 sec · Kuhn Road

  5. 5

    Turn left onto North Avenue

    1 mi · 2 min · North Avenue

  6. 6

    Continue on East North Avenue

    4.2 mi · 7 min · East North Avenue

  7. 7

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet

    830 ft · 21 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on I 355 Toll South: Joliet

    2358 ft · 58 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway

    27.1 mi · 32 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Indiana

    1.3 mi · 3 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    10.6 mi · 12 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 57 South: Memphis

    3222 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    103.7 mi · 1 hr 52 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward Market Street

    1379 ft · 27 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left

    29 m · 5 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Market Street

    3.9 mi · 6 min · Market Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto East Bradley Avenue

    1333 ft · 34 sec · East Bradley Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn left onto North Neil Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · North Neil Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Neil Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Carol Stream 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
19 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 57 South
104 mi · 66%
Veterans Memorial Tollway
27.1 mi · 17%
I 80 East
11.9 mi · 8%
East North Avenue
4.2 mi · 3%
Market Street
4.17 mi · 3%
North Avenue
1.03 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 57 South

Merge slight left

104 mi · 01h 52m

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 31m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+32.8 mi
124.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bradley
01h 15m from Carol Stream
Leave By
1:28 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Areas Of Frost then Partly Sunny leaving Carol Stream and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Champaign.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Carol Stream to Champaign?

The road trip is about 157 miles (252.7 km) and usually takes 02h 31m 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?

Bradley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.5 miles from Carol Stream and 79.5 miles from Champaign.

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

The direct path is about 124.2 miles (199.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.8 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 1:28 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.89 one way or $41.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Areas Of Frost then Partly Sunny around Carol Stream and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Champaign.

Stop Ideas Near Bradley

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Bradley, 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 Bradley.

RAIL

Kankakee

3 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Gilman

44 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.
RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

46 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street
RAIL

Dwight station

48 mi away
119 West Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Carol Stream and Champaign. Straight-line distance: 124.23 mi (199.93 km).

Carol Stream

#1 Carol Stream

Town

Population38,821
Coordinates41.9125300, -88.1347900
Altitude231
CountryUnited States
Champaign

#2 Champaign

The most populous city in Champaign County, Illinois.

Population89,390
Coordinates40.1164200, -88.2433800
Altitude225
CountryUnited States
Start: West Thunderbird Trail (-88.134789, 41.912462)
End: North Neil Street (-88.243515, 40.11642)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 253 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.54 gal
20.98 L · about $20.89
Round trip
$41.78
11.08 gal · 41.96 L
Estimated CO2
49.2 kg one way
Round trip: 98.5 kg / 217 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.89 $41.78
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.56 $47.12
Premium $4.65 $25.78 $51.57
Diesel $5.30 $29.38 $58.77

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 · May 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Carol Stream and Champaign. The current time is 22:04:20.

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.