How far is Champaign, IL from Lake Forest, IL?
The driving distance from Champaign, IL to Lake Forest, IL is about 165.9 miles (267 km), with a travel time of about 03h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 149.5 miles (240.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 39m 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 19m.
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 Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Champaign and Lake Forest.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Champaign and Lake Forest.
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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
117.8 mi · 2 hr 11 min
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8
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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10
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
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11
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
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13
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road
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14
Turn right onto West Westleigh Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Westleigh Road
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15
Turn left onto South Western Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Western Avenue
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16
Turn right onto Illinois Road
73 m · 10 sec · Illinois Road
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17
Turn left onto North McKinley Road
2911 ft · 1 min · North McKinley Road
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18
Turn slight right onto East Woodland Road
62 m · 7 sec · East Woodland Road
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19
Turn slight left onto Griffith Road
22 m · 3 sec · Griffith Road
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Griffith Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Champaign and Lake Forest.
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-57 North
Merge slight left
118 mi · 02h 11m
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 Partly Sunny near Lake Forest.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Champaign to Lake Forest?
The road trip is about 165.9 miles (267 km) and usually takes 03h 19m 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?
Manteno is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83 miles from Champaign and 82.9 miles from Lake Forest.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 149.5 miles (240.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.4 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 10:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.06 one way or $44.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Champaign and Partly Sunny near Lake Forest.
Stop Ideas Near Manteno
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 Manteno.
Kankakee
Homewood
Joliet Transportation Center
Dyer station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Champaign and Lake Forest. Straight-line distance: 149.48 mi (240.57 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 Lake Forest
City in Lake County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 19,379 |
| Coordinates | 42.2586300, -87.8406300 |
| Altitude | 210 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Forest (-87.84063, 42.25863)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 267 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.06 | $44.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.88 | $49.76 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.23 | $54.45 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.03 | $62.06 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.