How far is Lincoln, IL from Champaign, IL?

The driving distance from Lincoln, IL to Champaign, IL is about 76.9 miles (123.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 59.3 miles (95.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 55m 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
76.87 mi
01h 27m
Flight
59.28 mi
95.4 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lincoln.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
59.28 mi
Kilometers
95.4 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
76.87 mi
Kilometers
123.71 km
Drive Time
01h 27m

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 01h 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Champaign
Sun, Oct 18, 2:18 PM CDT
Return by in Lincoln
Sun, Oct 18, 3:46 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lincoln
2026-10-18T12:51
Arrive Champaign
Sun, Oct 18, 2:18 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:28 AM to 11:28 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:34 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lincoln
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
Downs
IL

Village in Illinois, USA

From Lincoln
38.4 mi
00h 43m
To Champaign
38.5 mi
00h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Oct 18 10:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph S
Destination
65°F
Sunday

Areas Of Frost then Sunny

Starts
Sun, Oct 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 8 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Broadway Street

    40 m · 8 sec · Broadway Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Logan Street

    2289 ft · 43 sec · North Logan Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Keokuk Street

    1000 ft · 24 sec · Keokuk Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto North Kickapoo Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · North Kickapoo Street

  5. 5

    Turn left

    45 m · 10 sec

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Lincoln Parkway

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Lincoln Parkway

  7. 7

    Take the ramp right toward I 55 North: Bloomington

    24.1 mi · 26 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on South Veterans Parkway

    1680 ft · 21 sec · South Veterans Parkway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 74 East, US 51 South: Decatur, Indianapolis

    2367 ft · 58 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight right

    46.9 mi · 51 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Neil Street

    1387 ft · 34 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Neil Street

    43 m · 6 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right onto North Neil Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · North Neil Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Neil Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lincoln 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
14 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 74 East
47.4 mi · 62%
I 55 North
24.1 mi · 31%
Lincoln Parkway
1.78 mi · 2%
North Neil Street
1.18 mi · 2%
North Kickapoo Street
1.14 mi · 1%
North Logan Street
0.43 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 74 East

Merge slight right

46.9 mi · 00h 51m

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
01h 27m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.6 mi
59.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Downs
00h 43m from Lincoln
Leave By
3:34 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Lincoln and Areas Of Frost then Sunny near Champaign.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lincoln to Champaign?

The road trip is about 76.9 miles (123.7 km) and usually takes 01h 27m 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?

Downs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 38.4 miles from Lincoln and 38.5 miles from Champaign.

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

The direct path is about 59.3 miles (95.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.6 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 3:34 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.71 one way or $25.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lincoln and Areas Of Frost then Sunny near Champaign.

Stop Ideas Near Downs

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Downs and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 11.5 mi away

City Hall - Town of Normal

Normal , IL
11 Uptown Circle, Normal, IL 61761
Parking lot
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Meeting point 10.2 mi away

City of Bloomington, Illinois

Bloomington , IL
109 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
Rating 3.6/5 8 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 10.2 mi away

Bloomington Finance Department

Bloomington , IL
109 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
City tax office

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Uptown Station

16 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Lincoln

50 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
RAIL

Pontiac station

57 mi away
721 West Washington St.
RAIL

Rantoul

61 mi away
West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lincoln and Champaign. Straight-line distance: 59.28 mi (95.4 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Lincoln

City in Illinois, United States

Population450
Coordinates40.1483800, -89.3648200
Altitude177
CountryUnited States
Champaign

#2 Champaign

The most populous city in Champaign County, Illinois.

Population89,390
Coordinates40.1164200, -88.2433800
Altitude225
CountryUnited States
Start: Lincoln (-89.36482, 40.14838)
End: Champaign (-88.24338, 40.11642)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 124 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 32m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 05m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.71 gal
10.27 L · about $12.71
Round trip
$25.41
5.42 gal · 20.54 L
Estimated CO2
24.1 kg one way
Round trip: 48.2 kg / 106 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.69 $12.71 $25.41
Mid-grade $5.33 $14.43 $28.87
Premium $5.87 $15.91 $31.82
Diesel $6.57 $17.80 $35.60

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 · Oct 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Lincoln and Champaign. The current time is 12:51:13.

Distance to Other Cities

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