How far is Preston, IL from Champaign, IL?
The driving distance from Preston, IL to Champaign, IL is about 207.1 miles (333.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 163.7 miles (263.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 38m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Township in Fayette County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Preston and Champaign.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Preston and Champaign.
-
1
Start on Pautler Road
47 m · 9 sec · Pautler Road
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2
Turn right onto Preston Road
2844 ft · 2 min · Preston Road
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3
Turn left onto Baldwin Road
5.2 mi · 12 min · Baldwin Road
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4
Continue on South 5th Street
2135 ft · 1 min · South 5th Street
-
5
Turn left onto West Myrtle Street
8.7 mi · 13 min · West Myrtle Street
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6
Turn right onto North Main Street
6.4 mi · 10 min · North Main Street
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7
Continue on N Main St
810 ft · 14 sec · N Main St
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8
Continue on North Main Street
1163 ft · 20 sec · North Main Street
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9
Continue on State Route 159
6.1 mi · 9 min · State Route 159
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10
Continue on South Main Street
8.3 mi · 13 min · South Main Street
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Illinois Street
54 m · 4 sec · North Illinois Street
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12
Exit the rotary onto North Illinois Street
9.8 mi · 15 min · North Illinois Street
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13
Continue on South Morrison Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Morrison Avenue
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14
Continue on Vandalia Street
2.8 mi · 5 min · Vandalia Street
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15
Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North, I 70 East
2235 ft · 55 sec
-
16
Merge slight left
3.8 mi · 4 min
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East: Indianapolis
83.9 mi · 1 hr 31 min
-
18
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
71.4 mi · 1 hr 16 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I-72 East: University Avenue
2610 ft · 1 min
-
20
Merge slight left
1.6 km · 1 min
-
21
Continue on West University Avenue
1.9 mi · 5 min · West University Avenue
-
22
Turn left onto North Randolph Street
111 m · 12 sec · North Randolph Street
-
23
Turn right onto West Park Avenue
140 m · 15 sec · West Park Avenue
-
24
Turn right onto North Neil Street
97 m · 11 sec · North Neil Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Neil Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Preston 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 70 East
Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East: Indianapolis
83.9 mi · 01h 31m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Preston 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 Preston to Champaign?
The road trip is about 207.1 miles (333.3 km) and usually takes 03h 38m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Vandalia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 106.4 miles from Preston and 100.7 miles from Champaign.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 163.7 miles (263.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:42 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.57 one way or $55.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Preston and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny near Champaign.
Stop Ideas Near Vandalia
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 Vandalia.
Centralia station
Effingham
Mt. Vernon, IL
Carlinville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Preston and Champaign. Straight-line distance: 163.71 mi (263.47 km).
#1 Preston
Unincorporated community in Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,203 |
| Coordinates | 38.1061600, -89.8601000 |
| Altitude | 143 |
| 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: 333 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $27.57 | $55.13 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $31.09 | $62.18 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $34.02 | $68.04 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $38.77 | $77.54 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.