How far is Champaign, IL from Bethalto, IL?

The driving distance from Champaign, IL to Bethalto, IL is about 161.9 miles (260.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 127 miles (204.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
161.84 mi
03h 03m
Flight
127.02 mi
204.42 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Champaign.

Flight Distance

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

Driving Distance

Road route
161.84 mi
Kilometers
260.46 km
Drive Time
03h 03m

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 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bethalto
Fri, Apr 17, 2:27 PM CDT
Return by in Champaign
Fri, Apr 17, 5:31 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Champaign
2026-04-17T11:23
Arrive Bethalto
Fri, Apr 17, 2:27 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:04 AM to 11:04 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:52 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Champaign
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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 Champaign
80.9 mi
01h 31m
To Bethalto
81 mi
01h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
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
Destination
86°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 14 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Neil Street

    13 m · 6 sec · North Neil Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West University Avenue

    141 m · 17 sec · West University Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Randolph Street

    721 ft · 28 sec · North Randolph Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto West Church Street

    1.9 mi · 5 min · West Church Street

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    79.9 mi · 1 hr 26 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South, I 72 West: Saint Louis, Jacksonville

    5.3 mi · 7 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis

    62.6 mi · 1 hr 7 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 140: Alton, Greenville

    1756 ft · 43 sec

  9. 9

    Turn right onto East State Street

    1 km · 1 min · East State Street

  10. 10

    Continue on State Route 140

    9.6 mi · 13 min · State Route 140

  11. 11

    Continue on East Bethalto Drive

    1.2 km · 1 min · East Bethalto Drive

  12. 12

    Turn right onto South Prairie Street

    2920 ft · 2 min · South Prairie Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto West Sherman Street

    2 m · 1 sec · West Sherman Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Sherman Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
14 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Church Street
81.9 mi · 51%
I 55 South
67.9 mi · 42%
State Route 140
9.61 mi · 6%
East Bethalto Drive
0.73 mi
East State Street
0.65 mi
South Prairie Street
0.55 mi
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 03m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+34.9 mi
127 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Clear Lake
01h 31m from Champaign
Leave By
10:52 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 161.9 miles (260.5 km) and usually takes 03h 03m 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?

Clear Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.9 miles from Champaign and 81 miles from Bethalto.

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 34.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:52 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.53 one way or $43.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

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 Champaign and Bethalto. Straight-line distance: 127.02 mi (204.42 km).

Champaign

#1 Champaign

The most populous city in Champaign County, Illinois.

Population89,390
Coordinates40.1164200, -88.2433800
Altitude225
CountryUnited States
Bethalto

#2 Bethalto

Village in Illinois

Population9,201
Coordinates38.9092100, -90.0406600
Altitude160
CountryUnited States
Start: Champaign (-88.24338, 40.11642)
End: Bethalto (-90.04066, 38.90921)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 260 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 41m
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
5.71 gal
21.62 L · about $21.53
Round trip
$43.06
11.42 gal · 43.24 L
Estimated CO2
50.7 kg one way
Round trip: 101.5 kg / 224 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.53 $43.06
Mid-grade $4.25 $24.28 $48.57
Premium $4.65 $26.57 $53.15
Diesel $5.30 $30.29 $60.57

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 Champaign and Bethalto. The current time is 11:23:33.

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.