How far is Champaign, IL from Central City, IL?
The driving distance from Champaign, IL to Central City, IL is about 95.6 miles (153.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 77.5 miles (124.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 13m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Human settlement in Iroquois County, Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Champaign and Central City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Champaign and Central City.
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1
Start on North Neil Street
13 m · 9 sec · North Neil Street
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2
Turn left onto East University Avenue
73 m · 12 sec · East University Avenue
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3
Turn left onto North Walnut Street
1377 ft · 45 sec · North Walnut Street
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4
Turn right onto East Washington Street
77 m · 13 sec · East Washington Street
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5
Turn left onto North Market Street
4.3 mi · 7 min · North Market Street
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6
Take the ramp right toward I-57 North: Kankakee
1642 ft · 40 sec
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7
Merge slight left
42.1 mi · 45 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 24: Gilman, Chatsworth
1771 ft · 38 sec
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9
Turn straight onto County Road 1700 N
9.7 mi · 14 min · County Road 1700 N
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10
Turn slight right onto South Green Street
1.6 km · 2 min · South Green Street
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11
Continue on West Piper City Street
134 m · 9 sec · West Piper City Street
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12
Continue on East 2500N Road
2194 ft · 44 sec · East 2500N Road
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13
Turn slight right
24.4 mi · 40 min
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14
At the end of the road, turn left onto West Route 17
1.5 mi · 2 min · West Route 17
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15
Turn right onto N 19000W Road
6 mi · 8 min · N 19000W Road
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16
Continue on South Kankakee Road
2 mi · 3 min · South Kankakee Road
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17
Turn left onto East Smith Road
2463 ft · 2 min · East Smith Road
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18
Turn left
2971 ft · 54 sec
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19
Turn right onto East Main Street
786 ft · 37 sec · East Main Street
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20
Turn right onto North Mitchell Street
1972 ft · 1 min · North Mitchell Street
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21
Turn left onto West Division Street
1.3 km · 2 min · West Division Street
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22
Continue on East Braceville Road
975 ft · 29 sec · East Braceville Road
-
23
Turn right onto South Broadway Road
2425 ft · 2 min · South Broadway Road
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24
Turn right onto 1st Street
143 m · 21 sec · 1st Street
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25
Continue on South Center Road
138 m · 20 sec · South Center Road
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Center Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Champaign and Central City.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
I-57 North
Merge slight left
42.1 mi · 00h 45m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Champaign and Mostly Cloudy near Central City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Champaign to Central City?
The road trip is about 95.6 miles (153.9 km) and usually takes 02h 13m 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?
Gilman is a useful midpoint, sitting about 47.8 miles from Champaign and 47.8 miles from Central City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 77.5 miles (124.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.1 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:02 PM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.37 one way or $30.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Champaign and Mostly Cloudy near Central City.
Stop Ideas Near Gilman
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 Gilman.
Gilman
Kankakee
Dwight station
Rantoul
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Champaign and Central City. Straight-line distance: 77.5 mi (124.73 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 Central City
Central City is a place in Illinois, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 41.2378100, -88.2817300 |
| Altitude | 176 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central City (-88.28173, 41.23781)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 154 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.56 | $15.37 | $30.75 |
| Mid-grade | $5.19 | $17.48 | $34.96 |
| Premium | $5.75 | $19.37 | $38.75 |
| Diesel | $6.56 | $22.11 | $44.23 |
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 · Nov 07, 2026