How far is Lake Forest, IL from Champaign, IL?
The driving distance from Lake Forest, IL to Champaign, IL is about 172.2 miles (277.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 149.5 miles (240.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 45m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Forest and Champaign.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Forest and Champaign.
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1
Start on Griffith Road
22 m · 3 sec · Griffith Road
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2
Turn straight onto East Woodland Road
62 m · 9 sec · East Woodland Road
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3
Turn slight left onto North McKinley Road
2911 ft · 1 min · North McKinley Road
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto Illinois Road
73 m · 12 sec · Illinois Road
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5
Turn left onto North Western Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Western Avenue
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6
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Westleigh Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · East Westleigh Road
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7
Turn left onto Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road
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8
Continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
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9
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.7 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
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10
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.1 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
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11
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
117.8 mi · 2 hr 11 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Market Street
1379 ft · 27 sec
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15
Turn left
29 m · 5 sec
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16
Turn left onto Market Street
3.9 mi · 6 min · Market Street
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17
Turn right onto East Bradley Avenue
1333 ft · 34 sec · East Bradley Avenue
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18
Turn left onto North Neil Street
1.2 km · 2 min · North Neil Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Neil Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Forest and Champaign.
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
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
118 mi · 02h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Lake Forest and Mostly Sunny near Champaign.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Forest to Champaign?
The road trip is about 172.2 miles (277.2 km) and usually takes 02h 45m 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?
Manteno is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.1 miles from Lake Forest and 89.1 miles from Champaign.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 149.5 miles (240.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.7 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 12:58 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.93 one way or $45.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lake Forest and Mostly Sunny near Champaign.
Stop Ideas Near Manteno
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 Manteno.
Kankakee
Homewood
Joliet Transportation Center
Dyer station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Forest and Champaign. Straight-line distance: 149.48 mi (240.57 km).
#1 Lake Forest
City in Lake County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 19,379 |
| Coordinates | 42.2586300, -87.8406300 |
| Altitude | 210 |
| 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: 277 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.93 | $45.86 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.86 | $51.72 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.30 | $56.59 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.25 | $64.50 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.