Major city · United States
Effingham
Skip Effingham unless you need a highway stop or want to see the giant cross: 30 minutes off I-57/70 is enough.
Effingham is a small city at the intersection of Interstates 57 and 70 in central Illinois, best known for a 60-metre-tall cross and as a truck-stop town. Most travellers pass through in under an hour. It works as a quick leg-stretch or a one-night stop on a road trip between Chicago and St. Louis or Memphis.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, grey)
- Airport
- CMI
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Effingham911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Effingham, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCMI University of Illinois Willard Airport (Champaign-Urbana) (About 1 h north; rental car needed).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner (Niemerg's)$15–30
- Budget bedChain motel double room, a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedChain motel double room, a night, per roomUS$100
- High-end bedChain motel double room, a night, per roomUS$150
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CMI University of Illinois Willard Airport (Champaign-Urbana) (About 1 h north; rental car needed)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Effingham: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
8 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
7 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
10 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
12 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. Effingham is spread along the interstate exits; no public transit worth using.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ballard Nature Center
goDoor to door: 30 min round trip
Car, about 10 min east on US-40
Boardwalks through marsh; free.
Door to door: 2 h round trip
Car via I-57 N, about 1 h
University town with more food and culture.
Door to door: 3 h round trip
Car via I-70 W and I-55 N, about 1.5 h
Lincoln sites and state capitol.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Exit 160 (W. Fayette Road)
Chain hotels and restaurants; most convenient for I-57/70.
Exit 159 (W. Evergreen Drive)
Another cluster of motels and fast food.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–140 excl. bed
- High
- $140+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain motel double room1 × 1 night × US$100 | US$100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Gas for 100 miles1 × US$15 · check | US$15 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$36 |
| Trip total≈ US$196 per person per day, bed included | US$391 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Fast-food meal | $8–12 |
| Sit-down dinner (Niemerg's) | $15–30 |
| Gas (per gallon) | $3–4 |
| Motel room per night | $70–150 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The cross is visible from the highway but the best photo spot is the parking lot at exit 160.
- Ballard Nature Center has limited hours: check before you go.
- Last Greyhound departures are early evening; check the schedule.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
EffinghamEffingham
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
Nearest consulates: Chicago (many countries).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Greyhound to Chicago: about $30–50, 3–4 h (check)
- Taxi within Effingham: about $10–20
Effingham is a small town; no public transit.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Effingham. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, grey) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for the cross and Ballard Nature Center with verified hours.
- Eat page for Niemerg's Steak House with last orders.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for I-57/70 exits.
Sources
Ask about Effingham
Loading…
Was this useful?