Travel Information

Directions to Campus

Champaign-Urbana is readily accessible to visitors by car, plane, train, or bus. A number of interstate, U.S., and state highways serve the motorist (see google map).

The University of Illinois’ Willard Airport is five miles south of Champaign, just off US 45. Airlines link the community to major hubs across the U.S. where passengers can make connections to destinations worldwide (see google map).

Trains and Buses

Amtrak provides daily rail passenger service to and from Chicago and points south through Memphis to New Orleans. Greyhound, Trailways, and Illini Swallow provide national and regional bus service. Get more information on these services on the City of Champaign public transportation page.

Driving from Chicago’s O’Hare Airport (ORD)

To drive to the campus from Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, take I-190 a couple miles to Interstate 294, the Tri-state Tollway (exit 1D). Head south (toward Indiana) for 35 miles to I-80, paying your tolls along the way.

Take I-80 West (toward Iowa) three miles then exit from the left lane onto I-57 heading south. Drive south for a couple hours or less to I-74 in Champaign. Take I-74 east three miles and exit at Lincoln Avenue. Turn right and head south a mile to the campus, which is on your right.

Driving from Bloomington-Normal Regional Airport (BMI)

Exit Central Illinois Regional Airport Bloomington-Normal onto Route 9 (west). After about a mile, turn left onto US-51/Veterans Parkway and stay on it for about four miles. Take the US-51/Main Street ramp and keep left at the fork, then turn left onto US-51/Main Street. About a mile and half later, take the I-74 (east) ramp towards Champaign. Take I-74 east to Champaign-Urbana. Exit South on Lincoln Avenue. Head south a mile to the campus, which is on your right.

Driving from Indianapolis International Airport, Indiana (IND)

Drive east from the airport less than a mile to I-465. Head north on I-465 about five miles to I-74. Take I-74 west (exit 16B, “Peoria”) 107 miles to Urbana.

Driving from Lambert-St Louis International Airport (STL

Start the 180 mile drive by turning right (northeast) on North Lindbergh Blvd./US-67 from the St. Louis airport. Take the MO-B/Natural Bridge Road ramp and stay straight to merge on to US-67. Stay on US-67 for two miles and take the exit for I-270. Take I-270 about 25 miles until you hit I-70, and go east on I-70. Take I-70 East to I-57 in Illinois. Take I-57 North to I-74 in Champaign. Take I-74 East three miles and exit at Lincoln avenue. Turn right and head south a mile to the campus, which is on your right.

More Travel Information

VISITOR PARKING

  • A permit is required to park in university lots 6:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Most university lots are open to park without a permit from 5:00 pm – 2:00 am
  • Housing lots and 24-hour lots are restricted at all times
  • 24-hour rental spaces and handicap spaces are enforced at all times

Restrictions are specified on signs at lot entrances. Visitor parking is available at meters on university streets and drives and in designated campus lots and parking garages. Visitors must pay the established meter fee.

DISABLED PARKING

A vehicle displaying a valid state disability placard or disability plate may park at designated public disabled spaces or any meter while paying the appropriate meter fee.  Only State of Illinois issued Meter-Exempt placards (yellow and gray striped), issued by the State of Illinois to persons with permanent disabilities who have a significant impairment causing difficulty accessing a parking meter, are exempt from meter payment.  These placard exempt the authorized holder from payment of parking meter fees and time limitations, except at meters or signs with time limitations of 30 minutes or less. All other State of Illinois and out of state disability permits, permanent or temporary, DO NOT exempt authorized holders from payment of parking fees or time limitations.

VISITOR PARKING OPTIONS