How far is Empire, IL from Champaign, IL?

The driving distance from Empire, IL to Champaign, IL is about 32.1 miles (51.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 27.8 miles (44.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
32.16 mi
00h 33m
Flight
27.76 mi
44.68 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Empire.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
27.76 mi
Kilometers
44.68 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
32.16 mi
Kilometers
51.75 km
Drive Time
00h 33m

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 00h 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Champaign
Wed, Apr 22, 10:29 PM CDT
Return by in Empire
Wed, Apr 22, 11:02 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Empire
2026-04-22T21:55
Arrive Champaign
Wed, Apr 22, 10:29 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:34 AM to 7:34 PM CDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:22 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Empire
10:00 PM CDT
Flexible departure

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
Mansfield
IL

Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America

From Empire
16 mi
00h 16m
To Champaign
16.1 mi
00h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 mph SW
Destination
77°F
Wednesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Empire and Champaign.

  1. 1

    Start on East 150 North Road

    1.1 mi · 4 min · East 150 North Road

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East 200 North Road

    2295 ft · 42 sec · East 200 North Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left toward I 74 East: Champaign

    2440 ft · 59 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight right

    28.7 mi · 31 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward Neil Street

    1387 ft · 34 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Neil Street

    43 m · 6 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right onto North Neil Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · North Neil Street

  8. 8

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Neil Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
8 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
24.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 74 East
29.2 mi · 91%
North Neil Street
1.18 mi · 4%
East 150 North Road
1.09 mi · 3%
East 200 North Road
0.43 mi · 1%
Neil Street
0.29 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 74 East

Merge slight right

28.7 mi · 00h 31m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 33m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.3 mi
27.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mansfield
00h 16m from Empire
Leave By
7:22 PM CDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny leaving Empire 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 Empire to Champaign?

The road trip is about 32.1 miles (51.7 km) and usually takes 00h 33m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Mansfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16 miles from Empire and 16.1 miles from Champaign.

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

The direct path is about 27.8 miles (44.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:22 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.30 one way or $8.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny around Empire and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny near Champaign.

Stop Ideas Near Mansfield

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

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

RAIL

Illinois Terminal

25 mi away
45 East University Ave.
RAIL

Rantoul

31 mi away
West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.
RAIL

Uptown Station

52 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Lincoln

73 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Empire and Champaign. Straight-line distance: 27.76 mi (44.68 km).

Empire

#1 Empire

Township in McLean County, Illinois

Population4,024
Coordinates40.3055900, -88.7075700
Altitude231
CountryUnited States
Champaign

#2 Champaign

The most populous city in Champaign County, Illinois.

Population89,390
Coordinates40.1164200, -88.2433800
Altitude225
CountryUnited States
Start: East 150 North Road (-88.707579, 40.304061)
End: North Neil Street (-88.243515, 40.11642)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 52 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 38m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 32m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.14 gal
4.3 L · about $4.30
Round trip
$8.60
2.28 gal · 8.6 L
Estimated CO2
10.1 kg one way
Round trip: 20.3 kg / 45 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $4.30 $8.60
Mid-grade $4.25 $4.85 $9.70
Premium $4.65 $5.31 $10.61
Diesel $5.30 $6.05 $12.09

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

There is no time difference between Empire and Champaign. The current time is 21:55:31.

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.