How far is Champaign, IL from Alton, IL?
The driving distance from Champaign, IL to Alton, IL is about 170.3 miles (274.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 133.7 miles (215.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 37m 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 18m.
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.
City in Sangamon County, Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Champaign and Alton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Champaign and Alton.
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1
Start on North Neil Street
13 m · 6 sec · North Neil Street
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2
Turn right onto West University Avenue
141 m · 17 sec · West University Avenue
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3
Turn right onto North Randolph Street
721 ft · 28 sec · North Randolph Street
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4
Turn left onto West Church Street
1.9 mi · 5 min · West Church Street
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5
Continue straight
79.9 mi · 1 hr 26 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South, I 72 West: Saint Louis, Jacksonville
5.3 mi · 7 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
62.6 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward IL 140: Alton, Greenville
1756 ft · 43 sec
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9
Turn right onto East State Street
1 km · 1 min · East State Street
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10
Continue on State Route 140
9.6 mi · 13 min · State Route 140
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11
Continue on East Bethalto Drive
1.8 mi · 4 min · East Bethalto Drive
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12
Continue on East MacArthur Drive
1.4 mi · 3 min · East MacArthur Drive
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13
Continue on West Macarthur Drive
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Macarthur Drive
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14
Continue on College Avenue
3.6 mi · 6 min · College Avenue
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward College Avenue
121 m · 8 sec · College Avenue
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16
Exit the roundabout onto College Avenue
1355 ft · 27 sec · College Avenue
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17
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Drive
1.5 km · 1 min · Martin Luther King Drive
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18
Continue on Piasa Street
1877 ft · 37 sec · Piasa Street
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19
Turn left onto West 3rd Street
662 ft · 31 sec · West 3rd Street
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20
Turn right onto Alby Street
36 m · 5 sec · Alby Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Alby Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Champaign and Alton.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
West Church Street
Continue straight
79.9 mi · 01h 26m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Champaign and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Alton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Champaign to Alton?
The road trip is about 170.3 miles (274.1 km) and usually takes 03h 18m 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?
Southern View is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.1 miles from Champaign and 85.2 miles from Alton.
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 36.6 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 10:22 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.66 one way or $45.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Champaign and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Alton.
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 Champaign and Alton. Straight-line distance: 133.71 mi (215.18 km).
#1 Champaign
The most populous city in Champaign County, Illinois.
| Population | 89,390 |
| Coordinates | 40.1164200, -88.2433800 |
| Altitude | 225 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Alton
City in Madison County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 26,049 |
| Coordinates | 38.8906000, -90.1842800 |
| Altitude | 150 |
| Country | United States |
End: Alton (-90.18428, 38.8906)
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 25m |
| 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 | $22.66 | $45.33 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.56 | $51.12 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.97 | $55.94 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.88 | $63.75 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.