How far is Champaign, IL from Preston, IL?
The driving distance from Champaign, IL to Preston, IL is about 213.6 miles (343.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 163.7 miles (263.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 48m 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 04h 24m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in Fayette County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Champaign and Preston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Champaign and Preston.
-
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 left to continue on I 55 South, I 70 West: Saint Louis
5.4 mi · 6 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward IL 159 South: Collinsville
1434 ft · 48 sec
-
11
Continue on Vandalia Street
3 mi · 5 min · Vandalia Street
-
12
Continue on South Morrison Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Morrison Avenue
-
13
Continue on North Illinois Street
9.8 mi · 15 min · North Illinois Street
-
14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Illinois Street
55 m · 5 sec · South Illinois Street
-
15
Exit the rotary onto South Illinois Street
8.3 mi · 13 min · South Illinois Street
-
16
Continue on State Route 159
6.1 mi · 9 min · State Route 159
-
17
Continue on North Main Street
1163 ft · 20 sec · North Main Street
-
18
Continue on N Main St
810 ft · 14 sec · N Main St
-
19
Continue on Main Street
6.4 mi · 10 min · Main Street
-
20
Turn left onto East Market Street
8.7 mi · 13 min · East Market Street
-
21
Turn right onto South 5th Street
2135 ft · 59 sec · South 5th Street
-
22
Continue on Baldwin Road
5.2 mi · 12 min · Baldwin Road
-
23
Turn right onto Preston Road
774 ft · 34 sec · Preston Road
-
24
Keep slight right to continue on Preston Road
2070 ft · 2 min · Preston Road
-
25
Turn left onto Pautler Road
47 m · 7 sec · Pautler Road
-
26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Pautler Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Champaign and Preston.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Champaign and Sunny near Preston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Champaign to Preston?
The road trip is about 213.6 miles (343.8 km) and usually takes 04h 24m 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?
Vandalia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 106.8 miles from Champaign and 106.8 miles from Preston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 163.7 miles (263.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.9 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 8:12 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.43 one way or $56.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Champaign and Sunny near Preston.
Stop Ideas Near Vandalia
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 Vandalia.
Centralia station
Effingham
Mt. Vernon, IL
Carlinville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Champaign and Preston. Straight-line distance: 163.71 mi (263.47 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 Preston
Unincorporated community in Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,203 |
| Coordinates | 38.1061600, -89.8601000 |
| Altitude | 143 |
| Country | United States |
End: Preston (-89.8601, 38.10616)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 344 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $28.43 | $56.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $32.07 | $64.14 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $35.09 | $70.18 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $39.99 | $79.98 |
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.