Primary route
I-72
Hannibal to Champaign
Length179.5 mi
Designated1990
States2
Junctions3
About I-72
From Hannibal, MO (US 61) to Champaign, IL (I-57)
Interstate 72 is an east-west route running about 180 miles from Hannibal, Missouri, east across the Mississippi River and central Illinois to Champaign. It crosses a region of open farmland in the heart of the Corn Belt, linking smaller cities and the state capital area with the larger Interstate network. The route provides a direct connection between northeastern Missouri and east-central Illinois.
From its western end near Hannibal the road crosses the Mississippi River into Illinois and runs east through the Springfield area, the Illinois state capital, before continuing to Decatur and ending at Champaign. The corridor serves agricultural traffic and intercity travel across a largely rural part of the state. It connects with major north-south routes along the way, tying central Illinois into the broader system.
State-by-state mileage
| State | Miles |
|---|---|
| Missouri | 2.1 |
| Illinois | 177.4 |
| Total | 179.5 |
History
Interstate 72 was designated and largely completed by 1990, built along a corridor that improved the connection between Springfield, Illinois, and the cities to the east and west. The route was assembled from new and upgraded highway segments across central Illinois and into Missouri at Hannibal.
Major cities and places
HannibalSpringfieldDecaturChampaign
Notable features
- Mississippi River crossing at Hannibal
Did you know
- Runs about 180 miles from Hannibal, Missouri, to Champaign, Illinois.
- Largely completed by 1990.
- Serves the Illinois state capital at Springfield.
- Crosses the Mississippi River near Hannibal, Missouri.