Road trip from Champaign to Madison
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Sights & Landmarks
Nature & Parks
Outdoor Activities
Food & Drink
Concerts & Shows
Nightlife
Fun & Games
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Spas & Wellness
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ITINERARY
4h 52m255 miles20 stops
1
The Virginia Theatre
2
Cowboy Monkey
3
Pour Bros. Taproom
4
Centennial Park Champaign
5
State Farm Center
6
Boneyard Creek Trail
7
Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden
This year-round garden, which started as a commercial nursery, includes 155 acres of trees and 300 woody plant species mapped and labeled. The gardens include: a Rhododendron and Azalea dell, Hosta Garden, Nancy Olsen's Children's Garden, Fountain Garden, Demonstration Garden, Peony Garden, Grasses Garden,Woodland Wildflower Garden and Plant-a-Row garden. There are several signature events hosted each year also. Botanica luncheon,Garden Fair, Plant Sale, Woodsong Concert Series, Autumn in the Arboretum and Twilight in the Garden are all popular annual events.
8
Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum & Gardens
Tinker Swiss Cottage is a historic house museum located in the heart of Rockford, Illinois. The museum complex contains the historic house museum, barn, and carriage house from the Tinker family. In addition, the property is the home of the founding site of Rockford and contains a Pre-Columbian Native American conical mound.
9
West Rock Wake Park
Whether you're a first time rider or a pro wakeboarder, West Rock has everything you need for a great day at the lake. By removing the need for an expensive boat with an environmentally friendly cable system, wakeboarding is now accessible to everyone! (First time riders please book a "never ever" class on our website).
10
Carlyle Brewing Co.
11
BMO Harris Bank Center
12
Anderson Japanese Gardens
Anderson Japanese Gardens is proud of its longstanding reputation as one of the highest quality Japanese gardens in North America. Our passion, however, is how the Garden positively impacts individuals and the communities where they live. We are committed to presenting first-class programs, events, and opportunities that bring people together in this uplifting natural setting.
13
Frank Lloyd Wright's Laurent House
The Laurent House in Rockford, IL is the only building ever designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for a person with a disability. Wright considered the home one of the best 35 works of his career. This single-story Usonian home is both functional and beautiful, decades ahead of ADA requirements. The home features a solar hemicycle footprint, patio, fishpond, carport, and outdoor connectivity to nature.
14
Alliant Energy Center
Our premier downtown multi-venue complex features four unique and versatile venues: Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Exhibition Hall, the New Holland Pavilions, and Willow Island. A top choice for expositions, conventions, meetings, concerts, sporting events, ag events, and much more, the Alliant Energy Center complex is a one-stop-shop for all your events. Ample parking, mouthwatering catering, dedicated staff, and a full range of rental equipment & high speed internet make AEC an event planners delight!
15
Madison BCycle
16
Downtown Madison
This seven-block bustling thoroughfare, which runs between Capitol Square and the University of Wisconsin, buzzes with activity day and night. Offering lake access, amazing views, several museums and theaters, more than 140 restaurants including a diverse array of coffeehouses, ethnic restaurants, and award winning chefs, as well as more than 80 unique shops including bookstores, art galleries and specialty shops.
17
Escape in Time
ESCAPE IN TIME Escape Rooms were designed and decorated by world-class artists, accomplished prop-makers and talented builders with experience working for the Amusement Park and Halloween Attractions industries. You will be absolutely amazed with our Escape Room set design and attention to detail! Our Escape Rooms are located in Madison, near West Towne, in the Market Square Mall. What is an Escape Room? "...Real-life escape rooms are a type of physical adventure game in which people are "locked" in a room with other participants and must use elements of the room to solve a series of puzzles, find clues, and escape the room within a set time limit..." Critical thinking, creative problem solving and the ability to work under pressure are skills you will sharpen during your experience. Forget everything you know about escape rooms. Our rooms will literally blow you away! "BEST ESCAPE ROOMS IN MADISON "
18
Washburn Observatory
19
KOSA Spa
KOSA Spa provides a sanctuary; a place to retreat, to nourish body, mind, and spirit, and in so doing reconnect with one’s best self. KOSA Spa blends wellness best practices from the 5,000-year-old Indian tradition of Ayurveda with seasonal, organic, Wisconsin-sourced ingredients and artisanal products. KOSA Spa’s offerings include customized wellness balancing plans; treatments, including Abhyanga, Shirodhara, Pinda Sweda, Massage, and Facials; and personal retreats that include access to our hot-stone sauna, aromatherapy hydro-steam room, meditation studio, sanctuary lounge, and organic, Ayurvedic teas and foods.
20
First Unitarian Meeting House of Madison
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OVERVIEW
Champaign to Madison
1
Start:The Virginia Theatre
Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois·
4.5
(64) review
203 W Park Ave, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61820-3928
2
Start:Cowboy Monkey
Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois·
4.5
(7) review
6 E Taylor St, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61820-4025
3
Start:Pour Bros. Taproom
Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois·
4.0
(6) review
40 E University Ave, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61820-4021
4
Start:Centennial Park Champaign
Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois·
4.5
(9) review
Kirby St Crescent Dr, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL
5
Start:State Farm Center
Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois·
4.5
(77) review
1800 S 1st St, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61820-6950
6
Start:Boneyard Creek Trail
Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois·
4.5
(8) review
Champaign Park, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL
7
Start:Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Rockford, Illinois·
4.5
(83) review
This year-round garden, which started as a commercial nursery, includes 155 acres of trees and 300 woody plant species mapped and labeled. The gardens include: a Rhododendron and Azalea dell, Hosta Garden, Nancy Olsen's Children's Garden, Fountain Garden, Demonstration Garden, Peony Garden, Grasses Garden,Woodland Wildflower Garden and Plant-a-Row garden. There are several signature events hosted each year also. Botanica luncheon,Garden Fair, Plant Sale, Woodsong Concert Series, Autumn in the Arboretum and Twilight in the Garden are all popular annual events.
8
Start:Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum & Gardens
Rockford, Illinois·
4.5
(61) review
Tinker Swiss Cottage is a historic house museum located in the heart of Rockford, Illinois. The museum complex contains the historic house museum, barn, and carriage house from the Tinker family. In addition, the property is the home of the founding site of Rockford and contains a Pre-Columbian Native American conical mound.
9
Start:West Rock Wake Park
Rockford, Illinois·
5.0
(6) review
Whether you're a first time rider or a pro wakeboarder, West Rock has everything you need for a great day at the lake. By removing the need for an expensive boat with an environmentally friendly cable system, wakeboarding is now accessible to everyone! (First time riders please book a "never ever" class on our website).
10
Start:Carlyle Brewing Co.
Rockford, Illinois·
4.5
(8) review
215 E State St, Rockford, IL 61104-1010
11
Start:BMO Harris Bank Center
Rockford, Illinois·
4.0
(63) review
300 Elm St, Rockford, IL 61101-1238
12
Start:Anderson Japanese Gardens
Rockford, Illinois·
4.5
(863) review
Anderson Japanese Gardens is proud of its longstanding reputation as one of the highest quality Japanese gardens in North America. Our passion, however, is how the Garden positively impacts individuals and the communities where they live. We are committed to presenting first-class programs, events, and opportunities that bring people together in this uplifting natural setting.
13
Start:Frank Lloyd Wright's Laurent House
Rockford, Illinois·
4.5
(63) review
The Laurent House in Rockford, IL is the only building ever designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for a person with a disability. Wright considered the home one of the best 35 works of his career. This single-story Usonian home is both functional and beautiful, decades ahead of ADA requirements. The home features a solar hemicycle footprint, patio, fishpond, carport, and outdoor connectivity to nature.
14
Start:Alliant Energy Center
Madison, Wisconsin·
4.0
(99) review
Our premier downtown multi-venue complex features four unique and versatile venues: Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Exhibition Hall, the New Holland Pavilions, and Willow Island. A top choice for expositions, conventions, meetings, concerts, sporting events, ag events, and much more, the Alliant Energy Center complex is a one-stop-shop for all your events. Ample parking, mouthwatering catering, dedicated staff, and a full range of rental equipment & high speed internet make AEC an event planners delight!
15
Start:Madison BCycle
Madison, Wisconsin·
2.0
(9) review
126 W. Mifflin Street Madison , WI 53703, Madison, WI 53703-2510
16
Start:Downtown Madison
Madison, Wisconsin·
4.5
(888) review
This seven-block bustling thoroughfare, which runs between Capitol Square and the University of Wisconsin, buzzes with activity day and night. Offering lake access, amazing views, several museums and theaters, more than 140 restaurants including a diverse array of coffeehouses, ethnic restaurants, and award winning chefs, as well as more than 80 unique shops including bookstores, art galleries and specialty shops.
17
Start:Escape in Time
Madison, Wisconsin·
4.5
(89) review
ESCAPE IN TIME Escape Rooms were designed and decorated by world-class artists, accomplished prop-makers and talented builders with experience working for the Amusement Park and Halloween Attractions industries. You will be absolutely amazed with our Escape Room set design and attention to detail! Our Escape Rooms are located in Madison, near West Towne, in the Market Square Mall. What is an Escape Room? "...Real-life escape rooms are a type of physical adventure game in which people are "locked" in a room with other participants and must use elements of the room to solve a series of puzzles, find clues, and escape the room within a set time limit..." Critical thinking, creative problem solving and the ability to work under pressure are skills you will sharpen during your experience. Forget everything you know about escape rooms. Our rooms will literally blow you away! "BEST ESCAPE ROOMS IN MADISON "
18
Start:Washburn Observatory
Madison, Wisconsin·
4.5
(9) review
1401 Observatory Dr, Madison, WI 53706-1209
19
Start:KOSA Spa
Madison, Wisconsin·
5.0
(9) review
KOSA Spa provides a sanctuary; a place to retreat, to nourish body, mind, and spirit, and in so doing reconnect with one’s best self. KOSA Spa blends wellness best practices from the 5,000-year-old Indian tradition of Ayurveda with seasonal, organic, Wisconsin-sourced ingredients and artisanal products. KOSA Spa’s offerings include customized wellness balancing plans; treatments, including Abhyanga, Shirodhara, Pinda Sweda, Massage, and Facials; and personal retreats that include access to our hot-stone sauna, aromatherapy hydro-steam room, meditation studio, sanctuary lounge, and organic, Ayurvedic teas and foods.
20
Start:First Unitarian Meeting House of Madison
Madison, Wisconsin·
4.5
(96) review
900 University Bay Dr, Madison, WI 53705-2298
CHECKLIST
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Car charger and portable battery
Water bottles and snacks
Travel pillow and blanket
Sunglasses and sunscreen
First-aid kit
Trash bags
Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
Driver’s license and vehicle registration
Cash and cards
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the driving distance between Champaign and Madison?
The distance is 255 miles
What's the travel time between Champaign and Madison?
The driving time can vary depending on traffic conditions, but it is typically 4h 52m mins in normal traffic
What are some of the best cities to visit between Champaign and Madison?
Some popular stops include
Are there any cool sights or attractions I shouldn't miss on my drive to Madison?
There are plenty! Here are some stops you shouldn’t miss on your way to Madison
What’s the weather like in Madison?
The weather in Madison is generally mild year-round, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. See the links below for more information
Weather in Madison in January
Weather in Madison in February
Weather in Madison in March
Weather in Madison in April
Weather in Madison in May
Weather in Madison in June
Weather in Madison in July
Weather in Madison in August
Weather in Madison in September
Weather in Madison in October
Weather in Madison in November
Weather in Madison in December
Interested in a detailed plan for your time in Madison?
Plan your dream Madison trip with our daily itineraries featuring must-see attractions! See them here!
A 1-day itinerary in Madison
A 2-day itinerary in Madison
A 3-day itinerary in Madison
A 4-day itinerary in Madison
A 5-day itinerary in Madison
A 6-day itinerary in Madison
Where else can I travel to if I'm starting my trip in Champaign?
We have a lot of great trip options for Champaign! See the links below for all the itineraries we created for you