How far is Chester, IL from Champaign, IL?
The driving distance from Chester, IL to Champaign, IL is about 220.3 miles (354.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 174.2 miles (280.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 36m 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 48m.
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.
Township in Marion County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chester and Champaign.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chester and Champaign.
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1
Start on East Stacey Street
38 m · 11 sec · East Stacey Street
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2
Turn left onto State Street
12 mi · 21 min · State Street
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3
Continue on West Broadway Street
10.8 mi · 19 min · West Broadway Street
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4
At the end of the road, turn right
8.9 mi · 13 min
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Kennedy Drive
13 m · 1 sec · Kennedy Drive
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6
Exit the roundabout onto Kennedy Drive
2031 ft · 34 sec · Kennedy Drive
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7
Continue on West Water Street
2977 ft · 58 sec · West Water Street
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8
Turn left onto North Main Street
21.7 mi · 27 min · North Main Street
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9
Take the exit right
1855 ft · 45 sec
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10
Merge slight left
10.3 mi · 11 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 51: Centralia, Ashley
1557 ft · 39 sec
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12
Turn left onto United States Route 51
8.8 mi · 11 min · United States Route 51
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13
Continue on Elm Street
2.6 mi · 6 min · Elm Street
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14
Continue on South Broadway
1.4 km · 1 min · South Broadway
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15
Continue on County Road 180 East
4.3 mi · 6 min · County Road 180 East
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16
Continue on South Mine Street
3231 ft · 54 sec · South Mine Street
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17
Continue on N Mine St
990 ft · 13 sec · N Mine St
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18
Continue on North Mine Street
106 m · 5 sec · North Mine Street
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19
Take the exit slight right
41 m · 4 sec
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20
Turn right
7.8 mi · 9 min
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21
Turn left
2149 ft · 54 sec
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22
Merge slight left
46.6 mi · 50 min
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23
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
71.4 mi · 1 hr 16 min
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24
Take the exit slight right toward I-72 East: University Avenue
2610 ft · 1 min
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25
Merge slight left
1.6 km · 1 min
-
26
Continue on West University Avenue
1.9 mi · 5 min · West University Avenue
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27
Turn left onto North Randolph Street
111 m · 12 sec · North Randolph Street
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28
Turn right onto West Park Avenue
140 m · 15 sec · West Park Avenue
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29
Turn right onto North Neil Street
97 m · 11 sec · North Neil Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Neil Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chester and Champaign.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 57 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
71.4 mi · 01h 16m
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.
Sunny leaving Chester and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny near Champaign.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chester to Champaign?
The road trip is about 220.3 miles (354.6 km) and usually takes 03h 48m 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?
Kinmundy is a useful midpoint, sitting about 106.4 miles from Chester and 114 miles from Champaign.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 174.2 miles (280.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.1 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 9:24 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.30 one way or $58.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Chester and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny near Champaign.
Stop Ideas Near Kinmundy
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 Kinmundy.
Centralia station
Effingham
Mt. Vernon, IL
Mattoon station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chester and Champaign. Straight-line distance: 174.2 mi (280.34 km).
#1 Chester
City in Illinois
| Population | 8,145 |
| Coordinates | 37.9136600, -89.8220500 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Champaign
The most populous city in Champaign County, Illinois.
| Population | 89,390 |
| Coordinates | 40.1164200, -88.2433800 |
| Altitude | 225 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Neil Street (-88.243515, 40.11642)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 355 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.30 | $58.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.05 | $66.09 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $36.16 | $72.32 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $41.21 | $82.42 |
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.