How far is Champaign, IL from Pontoon Beach, IL?
The driving distance from Champaign, IL to Pontoon Beach, IL is about 169.7 miles (273.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 137 miles (220.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 18m 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 09m.
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.
Village in Illinois, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Champaign and Pontoon Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Champaign and Pontoon Beach.
-
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
721 ft · 28 sec · North Randolph Street
-
4
Turn left onto West Church Street
1.9 mi · 5 min · West Church Street
-
5
Continue straight
1.3 mi · 2 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 57 South: Memphis
1515 ft · 43 sec
-
7
Merge slight left
77.4 mi · 1 hr 23 min
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on I 70 West: Saint Louis
76.8 mi · 1 hr 23 min
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 270 West, I 55 North: Kansas City, Chicago
9.1 mi · 10 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward IL 111 North: Wood River
1580 ft · 34 sec
-
11
Keep slight left
48 m · 4 sec
-
12
Turn left
1.9 mi · 3 min
-
13
Turn right onto Pontoon Road
2690 ft · 55 sec · Pontoon Road
-
14
Turn right onto Breckenridge Lane
17 m · 5 sec · Breckenridge Lane
-
15
Turn right
9 m · 2 sec
-
16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Champaign and Pontoon Beach.
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 South
Merge slight left
77.4 mi · 01h 23m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Champaign and Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms near Pontoon Beach.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Champaign to Pontoon Beach?
The road trip is about 169.7 miles (273.1 km) and usually takes 03h 09m 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?
Watson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.8 miles from Champaign and 84.9 miles from Pontoon Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 137 miles (220.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.7 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 10:42 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.59 one way or $45.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Champaign and Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms near Pontoon Beach.
Stop Ideas Near Watson
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 Watson.
Effingham
Mattoon station
Centralia station
Mt. Vernon, IL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Champaign and Pontoon Beach. Straight-line distance: 136.98 mi (220.45 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 Pontoon Beach
Town
| Population | 5,655 |
| Coordinates | 38.7317200, -90.0803800 |
| Altitude | 127 |
| Country | United States |
End: Pontoon Beach (-90.08038, 38.73172)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 273 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.59 | $45.18 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.48 | $50.95 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.88 | $55.75 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.77 | $63.54 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.