How far is East Alton, IL from Champaign, IL?

The driving distance from East Alton, IL to Champaign, IL is about 179.7 miles (289.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 44m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 131.2 miles (211.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 29m 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
179.69 mi
02h 44m
Flight
131.18 mi
211.12 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from East Alton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
131.18 mi
Kilometers
211.12 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
179.69 mi
Kilometers
289.19 km
Drive Time
02h 44m

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 44m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Champaign
Sun, Apr 19, 1:53 AM CDT
Return by in East Alton
Sun, Apr 19, 4:38 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave East Alton
2026-04-18T23:08
Arrive Champaign
Sun, Apr 19, 1:53 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 44m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:45 AM to 12:45 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:00 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in East Alton
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
Grandview
IL

City in Sangamon County, Illinois, United States of America

From East Alton
83 mi
01h 22m
To Champaign
96.7 mi
01h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 17 mph W
Destination
67°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between East Alton and Champaign.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between East Alton and Champaign.

  1. 1

    Start on North Pence Street

    1204 ft · 55 sec · North Pence Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    2392 ft · 1 min · West Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn slight right onto Berkshire Boulevard

    3072 ft · 1 min · Berkshire Boulevard

  4. 4

    Continue on West Airline Court

    2960 ft · 1 min · West Airline Court

  5. 5

    Continue on East Airline Drive

    1.3 mi · 3 min · East Airline Drive

  6. 6

    Turn left onto North Bellwood Drive

    1.4 km · 2 min · North Bellwood Drive

  7. 7

    Turn right onto West Bethalto Drive

    1.8 mi · 4 min · West Bethalto Drive

  8. 8

    Continue on State Route 140

    9.6 mi · 13 min · State Route 140

  9. 9

    Continue on West State Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · West State Street

  10. 10

    Continue on State Route 140

    135 m · 14 sec · State Route 140

  11. 11

    Take the ramp left

    1515 ft · 38 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    67.2 mi · 1 hr 13 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 72 East, US 36 East: Decatur

    37 mi · 40 min

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    43.2 mi · 47 min

  15. 15

    Continue on West University Avenue

    1.9 mi · 5 min · West University Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn left onto North Randolph Street

    111 m · 12 sec · North Randolph Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West Park Avenue

    140 m · 15 sec · West Park Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn right onto North Neil Street

    97 m · 11 sec · North Neil Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Neil Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between East Alton and Champaign.

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
19 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 72 East
80.2 mi · 45%
State Route 140
77.2 mi · 43%
West University Avenue
1.93 mi · 1%
West Bethalto Drive
1.77 mi · 1%
East Airline Drive
1.3 mi · 1%
North Bellwood Drive
0.89 mi
Longest Stretch

State Route 140

Merge slight left

67.2 mi · 01h 13m

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 44m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+48.5 mi
131.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Grandview
01h 22m from East Alton
Leave By
1:00 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving East Alton and Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Champaign.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from East Alton to Champaign?

The road trip is about 179.7 miles (289.2 km) and usually takes 02h 44m 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?

Grandview is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83 miles from East Alton and 96.7 miles from Champaign.

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

The direct path is about 131.2 miles (211.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.5 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 1:00 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.91 one way or $47.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around East Alton and Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Champaign.

Stop Ideas Near Grandview

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Grandview, 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 Grandview.

RAIL

Springfield station

3 mi away
East Washington and North Third Sts.
RAIL

Lincoln

43 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
RAIL

Carlinville

64 mi away
128 Alton Rd.
RAIL

Uptown Station

94 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between East Alton and Champaign. Straight-line distance: 131.18 mi (211.12 km).

East Alton

#1 East Alton

City in Illinois, United States of America

Population5,922
Coordinates38.8803300, -90.1112200
Altitude132
CountryUnited States
Champaign

#2 Champaign

The most populous city in Champaign County, Illinois.

Population89,390
Coordinates40.1164200, -88.2433800
Altitude225
CountryUnited States
Start: North Pence Street (-90.111365, 38.880359)
End: North Neil Street (-88.243515, 40.11642)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 289 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.34 gal
24 L · about $23.91
Round trip
$47.82
12.68 gal · 48 L
Estimated CO2
56.3 kg one way
Round trip: 112.7 kg / 248 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.91 $47.82
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.96 $53.93
Premium $4.65 $29.51 $59.01
Diesel $5.30 $33.63 $67.25

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 East Alton and Champaign. The current time is 23:08:59.

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.