How far is Champaign, IL from Fairbury, IL?

The driving distance from Champaign, IL to Fairbury, IL is about 55.7 miles (89.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 21m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 45.9 miles (73.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 43m 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
55.71 mi
01h 21m
Flight
45.86 mi
73.81 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Champaign.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
45.86 mi
Kilometers
73.81 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
55.71 mi
Kilometers
89.66 km
Drive Time
01h 21m

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 01h 21m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fairbury
Thu, Apr 23, 2:38 AM CDT
Return by in Champaign
Thu, Apr 23, 3:59 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Champaign
2026-04-23T01:16
Arrive Fairbury
Thu, Apr 23, 2:38 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 21m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:22 AM to 11:22 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:46 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Champaign
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
Gibson City
IL

City in Ford County, Illinois, United States

From Champaign
27.8 mi
00h 40m
To Fairbury
27.8 mi
00h 40m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 20 mph S
Destination
81°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 25 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    1.2 km · 2 min · North Randolph Street

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto West Bradley Avenue

    140 m · 13 sec · West Bradley Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn slight right onto Bloomington Road

    1.1 km · 2 min · Bloomington Road

  6. 6

    Turn right onto North Prospect Avenue

    1327 ft · 39 sec · North Prospect Avenue

  7. 7

    Take the ramp left toward I 74 West: Bloomington

    1635 ft · 40 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    8.2 mi · 9 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 47: Gibson City, Mahomet

    1604 ft · 39 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto County Road 400 East

    684 ft · 17 sec · County Road 400 East

  11. 11

    Continue on County Road 350 East

    4.5 mi · 7 min · County Road 350 East

  12. 12

    Continue on County Road 400 East

    7.5 mi · 10 min · County Road 400 East

  13. 13

    Continue on County Road 450 East

    2.1 mi · 3 min · County Road 450 East

  14. 14

    Continue on North 450 East Road

    3.5 mi · 5 min · North 450 East Road

  15. 15

    Continue on North 450E Road

    117 m · 7 sec · North 450E Road

  16. 16

    Continue on South Sangamon Avenue

    2297 ft · 55 sec · South Sangamon Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn left onto West 1st Street

    2529 ft · 54 sec · West 1st Street

  18. 18

    Turn slight right

    42 m · 7 sec

  19. 19

    Turn right

    20.6 mi · 30 min

  20. 20

    Turn left onto West Wabash Street

    2003 ft · 46 sec · West Wabash Street

  21. 21

    Continue on East 820 North Road

    1.7 mi · 2 min · East 820 North Road

  22. 22

    Continue on East 800 North Road

    2.6 mi · 4 min · East 800 North Road

  23. 23

    Continue on East Oak Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · East Oak Street

  24. 24

    Turn right onto South 2nd Street

    1280 ft · 1 min · South 2nd Street

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North 2nd Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
25 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
44.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 74 West
8.5 mi · 15%
County Road 400 East
7.66 mi · 14%
County Road 350 East
4.45 mi · 8%
North 450 East Road
3.52 mi · 6%
East 800 North Road
2.61 mi · 5%
County Road 450 East
2.09 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn right

20.6 mi · 00h 30m

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
01h 21m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.8 mi
45.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Gibson City
00h 40m from Champaign
Leave By
3:46 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Champaign and Mostly Sunny near Fairbury.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 55.7 miles (89.7 km) and usually takes 01h 21m 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?

Gibson City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.8 miles from Champaign and 27.8 miles from Fairbury.

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

The direct path is about 45.9 miles (73.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.8 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 3:46 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.43 one way or $14.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Champaign and Mostly Sunny near Fairbury.

Stop Ideas Near Gibson City

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

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

RAIL

Rantoul

25 mi away
West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.
RAIL

Illinois Terminal

40 mi away
45 East University Ave.
RAIL

Gilman

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

Uptown Station

51 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Champaign and Fairbury. Straight-line distance: 45.86 mi (73.81 km).

Champaign

#1 Champaign

The most populous city in Champaign County, Illinois.

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

#2 Fairbury

City in Livingston County, Illinois, United States

Population3,596
Coordinates40.7472600, -88.5147800
Altitude209
CountryUnited States
Start: Champaign (-88.24338, 40.11642)
End: Fairbury (-88.51478, 40.74726)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 90 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 23m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 55m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.97 gal
7.44 L · about $7.43
Round trip
$14.86
3.94 gal · 14.88 L
Estimated CO2
17.5 kg one way
Round trip: 35 kg / 77 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.43 $14.86
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.38 $16.76
Premium $4.65 $9.17 $18.34
Diesel $5.30 $10.45 $20.90

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Champaign and Fairbury. The current time is 01:16:34.

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.