How far is South Elgin, IL from Champaign, IL?
The driving distance from South Elgin, IL to Champaign, IL is about 168.9 miles (271.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 129.7 miles (208.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 50m 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 55m.
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.
Village in Illinois, United States
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 South Elgin and Champaign.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Elgin and Champaign.
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1
Start on South Center Street
12 m · 4 sec · South Center Street
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2
Turn right onto East State Street
608 ft · 14 sec · East State Street
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3
Turn right onto South Gilbert Street
104 m · 12 sec · South Gilbert Street
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4
Turn left onto East Middle Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · East Middle Street
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5
Continue on Bartlett Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · Bartlett Road
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6
Turn left onto South Sutton Road
1.4 km · 2 min · South Sutton Road
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7
Take the ramp slight right
1269 ft · 35 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto West Lake Street
3.1 mi · 4 min · West Lake Street
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9
Continue on Lake Street
6.7 mi · 11 min · Lake Street
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10
Continue on West Lake Street
5.1 mi · 8 min · West Lake Street
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11
Take the ramp left toward I 290 East, US 20 East: Chicago
3.1 mi · 4 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
1648 ft · 40 sec
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13
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
1937 ft · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1 mi · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
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15
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
42 m · 2 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway
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18
Continue on Mile-Long Bridge
1.5 km · 1 min · Mile-Long Bridge
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19
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
8.5 mi · 11 min · Tri-State Tollway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street
1162 ft · 28 sec
-
21
Keep slight left to continue on IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue
2529 ft · 1 min
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22
Turn straight onto Cicero Avenue
4.9 mi · 8 min · Cicero Avenue
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23
Turn left onto 167th Street
855 ft · 26 sec · 167th Street
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24
Take the ramp slight right toward I 57 South: Kankakee, I-80
3048 ft · 1 min
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25
Merge slight left
105.4 mi · 1 hr 55 min
-
26
Take the exit slight right toward Market Street
1379 ft · 27 sec
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27
Turn left
29 m · 5 sec
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28
Turn left onto Market Street
3.9 mi · 6 min · Market Street
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29
Turn right onto East Bradley Avenue
1333 ft · 34 sec · East Bradley Avenue
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30
Turn left onto North Neil Street
1.2 km · 2 min · North Neil Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Neil Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Elgin 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
Merge slight left
105 mi · 01h 55m
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 South Elgin 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 South Elgin to Champaign?
The road trip is about 168.9 miles (271.8 km) and usually takes 02h 55m 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?
Bradley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80 miles from South Elgin and 88.9 miles from Champaign.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 129.7 miles (208.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.2 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 12:40 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.48 one way or $44.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around South Elgin and Mostly Sunny near Champaign.
Stop Ideas Near Bradley
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 Bradley.
Kankakee
Gilman
Joliet Transportation Center
Dwight station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Elgin and Champaign. Straight-line distance: 129.77 mi (208.84 km).
#1 South Elgin
City in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 24,646 |
| Coordinates | 41.9941900, -88.2923000 |
| Altitude | 216 |
| 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: 272 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.48 | $44.95 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.35 | $50.70 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.74 | $55.48 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.61 | $63.22 |
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.