How far is Champaign, IL from Lexington, IL?
The driving distance from Champaign, IL to Lexington, IL is about 61.3 miles (98.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 46.1 miles (74.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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 01h 20m.
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.
Township in McLean County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Champaign and Lexington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Champaign and Lexington.
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1
Start on North Neil Street
13 m · 6 sec · North Neil Street
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2
Turn right onto West University Avenue
141 m · 17 sec · West University Avenue
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3
Turn right onto North Randolph Street
1.2 km · 2 min · North Randolph Street
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto West Bradley Avenue
140 m · 13 sec · West Bradley Avenue
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5
Turn slight right onto Bloomington Road
1.1 km · 2 min · Bloomington Road
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6
Turn right onto North Prospect Avenue
1327 ft · 39 sec · North Prospect Avenue
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7
Take the ramp left toward I 74 West: Bloomington
1635 ft · 40 sec
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8
Merge slight left
37.6 mi · 41 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Downs
1174 ft · 25 sec
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10
Turn right onto East 700 North Road
140 m · 11 sec · East 700 North Road
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11
Continue on South Seminary Street
1 km · 2 min · South Seminary Street
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12
At the end of the road, turn left
2 mi · 3 min
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13
Turn right onto Towanda Barnes Road
6.8 mi · 11 min · Towanda Barnes Road
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14
Continue on Towanda-Barnes Road
3 mi · 5 min · Towanda-Barnes Road
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15
Continue on West Hely Street
1225 ft · 40 sec · West Hely Street
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16
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
2083 ft · 1 min · South Jefferson Street
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17
Turn right onto Old Route 66
7.7 mi · 11 min · Old Route 66
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18
Turn right onto West Main Street
2375 ft · 1 min · West Main Street
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19
Turn right onto South Cedar Street
13 m · 2 sec · South Cedar Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Cedar Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Champaign and Lexington.
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 left
37.6 mi · 00h 41m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Champaign and Mostly Sunny near Lexington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Champaign to Lexington?
The road trip is about 61.3 miles (98.6 km) and usually takes 01h 20m 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?
Empire is a useful midpoint, sitting about 30.6 miles from Champaign and 30.6 miles from Lexington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 46.1 miles (74.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.2 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 3:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.15 one way or $16.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Champaign and Mostly Sunny near Lexington.
Stop Ideas Near Empire
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 Empire.
Uptown Station
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Lincoln
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Champaign and Lexington. Straight-line distance: 46.08 mi (74.16 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 Lexington
City in McLean County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 2,020 |
| Coordinates | 40.6414200, -88.7834000 |
| Altitude | 229 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lexington (-88.7834, 40.64142)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 99 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $8.15 | $16.29 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $9.19 | $18.37 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $10.05 | $20.11 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $11.46 | $22.91 |
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.