How far is Champaign, IL from South Chicago, IL?

The driving distance from Champaign, IL to South Chicago, IL is about 127.7 miles (205.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 117.8 miles (189.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
127.69 mi
02h 30m
Flight
117.79 mi
189.56 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Champaign.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
117.79 mi
Kilometers
189.56 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
127.69 mi
Kilometers
205.5 km
Drive Time
02h 30m

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 02h 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in South Chicago
Sun, Apr 19, 3:02 PM CDT
Return by in Champaign
Sun, Apr 19, 5:33 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Champaign
2026-04-19T12:32
Arrive South Chicago
Sun, Apr 19, 3:02 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:30 AM to 12:30 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:30 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Champaign
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Chebanse
IL

Village in United States of America

From Champaign
63.9 mi
01h 15m
To South Chicago
63.8 mi
01h 15m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
54°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 to 18 mph WNW
Destination
52°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Champaign and South Chicago.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Champaign and South Chicago.

  1. 1

    Start on North Neil Street

    13 m · 9 sec · North Neil Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East University Avenue

    73 m · 12 sec · East University Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto North Walnut Street

    1377 ft · 45 sec · North Walnut Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto East Washington Street

    77 m · 13 sec · East Washington Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto North Market Street

    4.3 mi · 7 min · North Market Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp right toward I-57 North: Kankakee

    1642 ft · 40 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    117.8 mi · 2 hr 11 min

  8. 8

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    1.2 km · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward 87th Street

    1067 ft · 26 sec

  10. 10

    Turn straight onto South State Street

    730 ft · 18 sec · South State Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto East 87th Street

    3.6 mi · 7 min · East 87th Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto South Escanaba Avenue

    667 ft · 35 sec · South Escanaba Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn left onto East 86th Street

    50 m · 9 sec · East 86th Street

  14. 14

    Turn right

    66 m · 16 sec

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Champaign and South Chicago.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-57 North
118 mi · 93%
North Market Street
4.25 mi · 3%
East 87th Street
3.64 mi · 3%
Dan Ryan Expressway
0.75 mi · 1%
North Walnut Street
0.26 mi
87th Street
0.2 mi
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 30m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.9 mi
117.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Chebanse
01h 15m from Champaign
Leave By
1:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny leaving Champaign and Mostly Sunny near South Chicago.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Champaign to South Chicago?

The road trip is about 127.7 miles (205.5 km) and usually takes 02h 30m 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?

Chebanse is a useful midpoint, sitting about 63.9 miles from Champaign and 63.8 miles from South Chicago.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 117.8 miles (189.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:30 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.01 one way or $34.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny around Champaign and Mostly Sunny near South Chicago.

Stop Ideas Near Chebanse

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Chebanse, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Chebanse.

RAIL

Kankakee

13 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Gilman

28 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.
RAIL

Dwight station

45 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

60 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Champaign and South Chicago. Straight-line distance: 117.79 mi (189.56 km).

Champaign

#1 Champaign

The most populous city in Champaign County, Illinois.

Population89,390
Coordinates40.1164200, -88.2433800
Altitude225
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 South Chicago

Former township in Cook County, Illinois

Population28,095
Coordinates41.7397700, -87.5542500
Altitude180
CountryUnited States
Start: Champaign (-88.24338, 40.11642)
End: South Chicago (-87.55425, 41.73977)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 206 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 15m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 07m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 49m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.51 gal
17.06 L · about $17.01
Round trip
$34.01
9.02 gal · 34.12 L
Estimated CO2
40.1 kg one way
Round trip: 80.2 kg / 177 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.01 $34.01
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.18 $38.36
Premium $4.65 $20.99 $41.98
Diesel $5.30 $23.92 $47.84

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Champaign and South Chicago. The current time is 12:32:20.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.