How far is Madison, IL from Champaign, IL?

The driving distance from Madison, IL to Champaign, IL is about 177.2 miles (285.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 142.3 miles (229 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 34m 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
177.22 mi
02h 47m
Flight
142.31 mi
229.03 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Madison.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
142.31 mi
Kilometers
229.03 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
177.22 mi
Kilometers
285.2 km
Drive Time
02h 47m

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 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Champaign
Thu, Apr 23, 6:05 AM CDT
Return by in Madison
Thu, Apr 23, 8:52 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Madison
2026-04-23T03:18
Arrive Champaign
Thu, Apr 23, 6:05 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:47 AM to 12:47 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:56 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Madison
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
Altamont
IL

City in Effingham County, Illinois, United States

From Madison
87.6 mi
01h 23m
To Champaign
89.7 mi
01h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 16 mph S
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 6th Street

    44 m · 8 sec · 6th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Madison Avenue

    3.2 mi · 6 min · Madison Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Nameoki Road

    3.4 mi · 6 min · Nameoki Road

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right toward I 270 East: Effingham

    2142 ft · 43 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    10.4 mi · 12 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight right onto I 70 East: Indianapolis

    82.8 mi · 1 hr 29 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago

    71.4 mi · 1 hr 16 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I-72 East: University Avenue

    2610 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    1.6 km · 1 min

  10. 10

    Continue on West University Avenue

    1.9 mi · 5 min · West University Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn left onto North Randolph Street

    111 m · 12 sec · North Randolph Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto West Park Avenue

    140 m · 15 sec · West Park Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn right onto North Neil Street

    97 m · 11 sec · 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 Madison 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
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
3 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 70 East
82.8 mi · 47%
I 57 North
71.4 mi · 40%
I 270 East
10.8 mi · 6%
Nameoki Road
3.36 mi · 2%
Madison Avenue
3.18 mi · 2%
West University Avenue
1.93 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 70 East

Merge slight right onto I 70 East: Indianapolis

82.8 mi · 01h 29m

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 47m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+34.9 mi
142.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Altamont
01h 23m from Madison
Leave By
12:56 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Madison 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 Madison to Champaign?

The road trip is about 177.2 miles (285.2 km) and usually takes 02h 47m 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?

Altamont is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.6 miles from Madison and 89.7 miles from Champaign.

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

The direct path is about 142.3 miles (229 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.9 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 12:56 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.57 one way or $47.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Madison and Mostly Sunny near Champaign.

Stop Ideas Near Altamont

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

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

RAIL

Effingham

19 mi away
401 West National Ave.
RAIL

Mattoon station

57 mi away
1718 Broadway Ave.
RAIL

Centralia station

68 mi away
108 East Broadway
BUS

Mt. Vernon, IL

85 mi away
102 Potomac Boulevard

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Madison and Champaign. Straight-line distance: 142.31 mi (229.03 km).

Madison

#1 Madison

City in Madison County, Florida, United States

Population3,735
Coordinates38.6825500, -90.1570500
Altitude126
CountryUnited States
Champaign

#2 Champaign

The most populous city in Champaign County, Illinois.

Population89,390
Coordinates40.1164200, -88.2433800
Altitude225
CountryUnited States
Start: 6th Street (-90.157025, 38.682633)
End: North Neil Street (-88.243515, 40.11642)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 285 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 32m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.25 gal
23.67 L · about $23.57
Round trip
$47.14
12.5 gal · 47.34 L
Estimated CO2
55.5 kg one way
Round trip: 111.1 kg / 245 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.57 $47.14
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.58 $53.16
Premium $4.65 $29.09 $58.18
Diesel $5.30 $33.15 $66.30

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 Madison and Champaign. The current time is 03:18:08.

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.