How far is Prospect Heights, IL from Champaign, IL?

The driving distance from Prospect Heights, IL to Champaign, IL is about 162.4 miles (261.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 137.6 miles (221.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 10m 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
162.35 mi
02h 35m
Flight
137.65 mi
221.53 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Prospect Heights.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
137.65 mi
Kilometers
221.53 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
162.35 mi
Kilometers
261.28 km
Drive Time
02h 35m

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 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Champaign
Thu, Apr 23, 4:34 AM CDT
Return by in Prospect Heights
Thu, Apr 23, 7:09 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Prospect Heights
2026-04-23T01:59
Arrive Champaign
Thu, Apr 23, 4:34 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:35 AM to 12:35 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:20 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Prospect Heights
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
Kankakee
IL

City in Kankakee County, Illinois, United States

From Prospect Heights
77.2 mi
01h 17m
To Champaign
85.2 mi
01h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 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 Prospect Heights and Champaign.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Prospect Heights and Champaign.

  1. 1

    Start on West Camp McDonald Road

    66 m · 8 sec · West Camp McDonald Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Elmhurst Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · North Elmhurst Road

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Rand Road

    1.3 mi · 2 min · East Rand Road

  4. 4

    Continue on Rand Road

    3.2 mi · 5 min · Rand Road

  5. 5

    Continue on North Northwest Highway

    158 m · 13 sec · North Northwest Highway

  6. 6

    Take the ramp straight toward I 294 South: Indiana

    2467 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    13.5 mi · 17 min · Tri-State Tollway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway

  10. 10

    Continue on Mile-Long Bridge

    1.5 km · 1 min · Mile-Long Bridge

  11. 11

    Continue on Tri-State Tollway

    8.5 mi · 11 min · Tri-State Tollway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street

    1162 ft · 28 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue

    2529 ft · 1 min

  14. 14

    Turn straight onto Cicero Avenue

    4.9 mi · 8 min · Cicero Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn left onto 167th Street

    855 ft · 26 sec · 167th Street

  16. 16

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 57 South: Kankakee, I-80

    3048 ft · 1 min

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    105.4 mi · 1 hr 55 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward Market Street

    1379 ft · 27 sec

  19. 19

    Turn left

    29 m · 5 sec

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Market Street

    3.9 mi · 6 min · Market Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto East Bradley Avenue

    1333 ft · 34 sec · East Bradley Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn left onto North Neil Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · North Neil Street

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Neil Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Prospect Heights 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
23 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 57 South
106 mi · 65%
Tri-State Tollway
30.3 mi · 19%
Cicero Avenue
4.89 mi · 3%
Market Street
4.17 mi · 3%
Rand Road
3.2 mi · 2%
East Rand Road
1.34 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 57 South

Merge slight left

105 mi · 01h 55m

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 35m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.8 mi
137.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kankakee
01h 17m from Prospect Heights
Leave By
1:20 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Prospect Heights 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 Prospect Heights to Champaign?

The road trip is about 162.4 miles (261.3 km) and usually takes 02h 35m 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?

Kankakee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.2 miles from Prospect Heights and 85.2 miles from Champaign.

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

The direct path is about 137.6 miles (221.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.8 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 1:20 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.61 one way or $43.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Kankakee

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

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

RAIL

Kankakee

199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Gilman

41 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.
RAIL

Dwight station

48 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

49 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Prospect Heights and Champaign. Straight-line distance: 137.65 mi (221.53 km).

Prospect Heights

#1 Prospect Heights

City in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Population15,702
Coordinates42.0953000, -87.9375700
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Champaign

#2 Champaign

The most populous city in Champaign County, Illinois.

Population89,390
Coordinates40.1164200, -88.2433800
Altitude225
CountryUnited States
Start: West Camp McDonald Road (-87.93757, 42.095284)
End: North Neil Street (-88.243515, 40.11642)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 261 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.73 gal
21.69 L · about $21.61
Round trip
$43.22
11.46 gal · 43.38 L
Estimated CO2
50.9 kg one way
Round trip: 101.8 kg / 224 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.61 $43.22
Mid-grade $4.25 $24.37 $48.74
Premium $4.65 $26.67 $53.33
Diesel $5.30 $30.39 $60.78

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 Prospect Heights and Champaign. The current time is 01:59:19.

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.