Illinois (13-16, 1-5) is more than halfway through its 2025 campaign, and the team has traveled quite a bit. This was especially true in February when the Illini spent four weekends away from Eichelberger Field.
Let’s take a look at some of the longest and shortest trips the Illini have taken; then, an analysis of just how far they have traveled so far, as well as the miles they still have to endure. All mileage numbers are physical distance rather than driving distance.
It’s a long way to the field if you want to hit and run
Illinois’ longest road trip just happened a week ago. In its second Big Ten series, Illinois traveled all the way to Eugene, Oregon to face the No. 6 Oregon Ducks (29-3, 5-1). Oregon’s field is located 1,794 miles away from Urbana. It wasn’t quite the Oregon Trail, but the length of the trip meant the Illini did not return to Urbana until early Monday morning.
Not to be outdone, their first trip of the season was a distant one. The Black and Gold Classic required the Illini to travel 889 miles to Orlando, Florida. This was the first of four consecutive road trips in the month of February.
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Although the opportunity to play games in February is great, the treks are still long. While the conditions aren’t hospitable for softball near campus, the South provides a warmer climate.
Right up the road
Like Major League Baseball field dimensions, no two road trips are exactly alike. Braggin’ Rights only required the Illini to travel the 233 miles to Columbia to take on the Missouri Tigers (18-16, 1-5). This trip was the precursor to the Oregon endeavor and stands as the shortest trip Illinois has taken this spring.
Another February road trip on the shorter side was for the Roar City Invitational. The 282-mile trek to Nashville was the second shortest trip so far. Two more journeys to Raleigh and Fayetteville sit in the 400-to-500-mile range, right in the middle of the spectrum.
So just how far have they traveled?
Teams in the country’s northern half all share the same hurdles as Illinois. Colder weather, combined with the early start to the season, means programs have to travel a lot in February. This includes most of the Big Ten, as most teams are in the Midwest and Northeast.
For Illinois, all of its road time adds up to 8,428 miles traversed in just the first two months of its campaign. This includes traveling to the location and returning home. The Illini are still not done moving though.
Three trips as part of Big Ten play still lie on the table, all of which are in April. Illinois still has to go to Northwestern (15-11, 4-0), Michigan State (9-16, 1-6) and Rutgers (16-19, 1-4). The former two will be on the shorter end of trips at 139 and 226 miles. The latter to Rutgers, however, will be nearly double the length of those two combined. Illinois will make the 726-mile journey from April 25-27.
Will they travel this weekend?
The answer to that question is no. The next series for the Illini is against the Washington Huskies (24-9, 3-2). It comprises just two games, scheduled for Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m. Weather may play a factor in the schedule, but that is how it stands for now.
