How far is Champaign, IL from Galena, IL?
The driving distance from Champaign, IL to Galena, IL is about 254.3 miles (409.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 195.3 miles (314.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 20m 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 05h 10m.
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.
County seat of Knox County, Tennessee, United States; third-largest city in Tennessee
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Champaign and Galena.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Champaign and Galena.
-
1
Start on North Neil Street
13 m · 6 sec · North Neil Street
-
2
Turn right onto West University Avenue
141 m · 17 sec · West University Avenue
-
3
Turn right onto North Randolph Street
1.2 km · 2 min · North Randolph Street
-
4
At the end of the road, turn left onto West Bradley Avenue
140 m · 13 sec · West Bradley Avenue
-
5
Turn slight right onto Bloomington Road
1.1 km · 2 min · Bloomington Road
-
6
Turn right onto North Prospect Avenue
1327 ft · 39 sec · North Prospect Avenue
-
7
Take the ramp left toward I 74 West: Bloomington
1635 ft · 40 sec
-
8
Merge slight left
52.6 mi · 57 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 74 West: Peoria
28.4 mi · 31 min
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on I 474 West: Moline, Rock Island
14 mi · 15 min
-
11
Take the exit slight left toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
1 mi · 1 min
-
12
Merge slight right
72.4 mi · 1 hr 18 min
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
9.3 mi · 10 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward IL 84: East Moline, Savanna
2827 ft · 1 min
-
15
Keep slight right
48 m · 4 sec
-
16
Turn right
41.2 mi · 1 hr 2 min
-
17
At the end of the road, turn left onto Chicago Avenue
1.1 mi · 3 min · Chicago Avenue
-
18
Continue on Main Street
14.4 mi · 21 min · Main Street
-
19
At the end of the road, turn right onto Washington Street
4.9 mi · 7 min · Washington Street
-
20
At the end of the road, turn left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
11.1 mi · 15 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
-
21
Continue on Decatur Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Decatur Street
-
22
Take the exit right
24 m · 4 sec
-
23
Turn right onto South Main Street
2174 ft · 2 min · South Main Street
-
24
Turn left onto Hill Street
77 m · 17 sec · Hill Street
-
25
Turn left onto South Bench Street
16 m · 2 sec · South Bench Street
-
26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Bench Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Champaign and Galena.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 74 West
Merge slight right
72.4 mi · 01h 18m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Champaign and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Galena.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Champaign to Galena?
The road trip is about 254.3 miles (409.2 km) and usually takes 05h 10m 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?
Knox is a useful midpoint, sitting about 127.1 miles from Champaign and 127.2 miles from Galena.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 195.3 miles (314.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 59 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 6:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.83 one way or $67.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Champaign and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Galena.
Stop Ideas Near Knox
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 Knox.
Galesburg station
Kewanee
Peoria, Illinois
Moline, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Champaign and Galena. Straight-line distance: 195.28 mi (314.28 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 Galena
County seat of Jo Daviess County, Illinois
| Population | 3,151 |
| Coordinates | 42.4166700, -90.4290200 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
End: Galena (-90.42902, 42.41667)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 409 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.83 | $67.65 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $38.15 | $76.30 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.75 | $83.49 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $47.58 | $95.15 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.