How far is Carthage, IL from Champaign, IL?
The driving distance from Carthage, IL to Champaign, IL is about 168.3 miles (270.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 153.9 miles (247.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 06m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Township in LaSalle County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Occasional Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carthage and Champaign.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carthage and Champaign.
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1
Start on North Madison Street
19 m · 7 sec · North Madison Street
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2
Turn left onto Buchanan Street
1.3 km · 1 min · Buchanan Street
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3
Continue on E County Road 1500
3055 ft · 52 sec · E County Road 1500
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4
Take the ramp slight left
26 m · 4 sec
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5
Turn left
1915 ft · 53 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
21.2 mi · 25 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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7
Take the exit slight right
1 km · 56 sec
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8
Turn right
3.6 mi · 7 min
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9
Turn right onto West Side Square
726 ft · 22 sec · West Side Square
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10
Turn right onto East Jackson Street
2.8 mi · 4 min · East Jackson Street
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11
Continue on North 1200th Road
6 mi · 8 min · North 1200th Road
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12
Turn right onto East 2100th Street
21.4 mi · 32 min · East 2100th Street
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13
Continue straight
2.3 mi · 4 min
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14
Turn left
7.3 mi · 11 min
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15
Turn left onto South Promenade Street
1000 ft · 19 sec · South Promenade Street
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16
Turn right onto East Laurel Street
46.6 mi · 1 hr 8 min · East Laurel Street
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17
Continue on Dixie Road
1 km · 1 min · Dixie Road
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18
Continue on East 200 North Road
1562 ft · 35 sec · East 200 North Road
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19
Turn left onto I 55 North: Bloomington
1791 ft · 44 sec
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20
Merge slight left
11 mi · 12 min
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21
Keep slight right to continue on South Veterans Parkway
1680 ft · 21 sec · South Veterans Parkway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward I 74 East, US 51 South: Decatur, Indianapolis
2367 ft · 58 sec
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23
Merge slight right
46.9 mi · 51 min
-
24
Take the exit slight right toward Neil Street
1387 ft · 34 sec
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25
Keep slight right to continue on Neil Street
43 m · 6 sec
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26
Turn right onto North Neil Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · North Neil Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Neil Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carthage and Champaign.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 74 East
Merge slight right
46.9 mi · 00h 51m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Occasional Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Carthage and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Champaign.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carthage to Champaign?
The road trip is about 168.3 miles (270.9 km) and usually takes 03h 06m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Allen is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.6 miles from Carthage and 80.8 miles from Champaign.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 153.9 miles (247.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:46 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.40 one way or $44.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Occasional Showers And Thunderstorms around Carthage and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Champaign.
Stop Ideas Near Allen
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 Allen.
Lincoln
Peoria, Illinois
Springfield station
Uptown Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carthage and Champaign. Straight-line distance: 153.91 mi (247.7 km).
#1 Carthage
City in and county seat of Hancock County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 2,419 |
| Coordinates | 40.4164300, -91.1362500 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| 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: 271 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.40 | $44.80 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.26 | $50.53 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.64 | $55.29 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.51 | $63.01 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.