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Trip from Antioch, IL to Bloomington, IL

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

3h 31m

Distance

174.9 mi

282 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 19m ★
6 AM
3h 31m
8 AM
3h 56m
10 AM
3h 40m
12 PM
3h 37m
3 PM
3h 41m
5 PM
3h 54m
8 PM
3h 24m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Antioch, IL, IL

Antioch, IL

Mike Tyurin

Trip Overview

This 174.9-mile drive from Antioch, IL to Bloomington, IL takes approximately 3 hours and 31 minutes, making it a manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily be on major roadways like the Adlai Stevenson Expressway and Tri-State Tollway, with a portion on West IL Route 173. With a projected fuel cost of around $27, this route offers an economical way to travel within Illinois. The drive is focused on efficient travel, so plan for a straightforward journey through the Midwest.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

87.5 miles from Antioch, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience for 68% of this journey. The majority of your time will be spent on expressways, including a significant 108.7-mile stretch on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway. While largely characterized by this efficient, high-speed travel, the inclusion of West IL Route 173 introduces a slight variation before you reach your destination. This route prioritizes covering ground quickly over extensive scenic detours.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 108.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 29.8 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 174.9 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 29.8 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.3 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

8
29.8 mi into trip | ~37m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
6
57.3 mi into trip | ~1h 11m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
58.5 mi into trip | ~1h 12m in

Take the exit toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 23 Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
7
59.1 mi into trip | ~1h 14m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
8
168.3 mi into trip | ~3h 17m in | I 55 Business

Take the exit onto I 55 Business toward I 55 Business South: Veterans Parkway, Central Illinois Regional Airport

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 167 Toward I 55 Business South: Veterans Parkway, C...

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Antioch, IL and Bloomington, IL, road signs point toward O'hare and St. Louis.

O'hare

29.8 mi in | ~37m | via I 294

St. Louis

58.5 mi in | ~1h 12m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Adlai Stevenson Expressway 108.7 mi 2h 1m
Tri-State Tollway 51 mi 1h 1m
West IL Route 173 6.6 mi 10m
I 55 Business 3.1 mi 5m
East Empire Street 1.6 mi 3m
North Veterans Parkway 0.9 mi 1m
Main Street 0.5 mi <1m
East Mulberry Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Adlai Stevenson Expressway — 108.7 mi, about 2h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Antioch, IL and Bloomington, IL.

1

Start on IL 83

0.5 mi · 44 sec · Main Street
2

Turn left onto IL 173

6.6 mi · 10 min · West IL Route 173
Use the left lane.
3

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Toward I 94 Toll East: Chicago Use the right lane.
4

Merge onto I 94

22 mi · 25 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

23 mi · 28 min · Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare Use the slight right lane.
6

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 23 Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the slight right lane.
10

Merge onto I 55

109 mi · 2 hr 1 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit onto I 55 Business

3.1 mi · 5 min · I 55 Business
Exit 167 Toward I 55 Business South: Veterans Parkway, Central Illinois Regional Airport Use the slight right lane.
12

Continue on I 55 Business

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Veterans Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 22 sec
Toward IL 9 West: Pekin Use the right lane.
14

Turn straight onto IL 9

1.6 mi · 3 min · East Empire Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
15

Turn left onto US 150

0.3 mi · 50 sec · North Clinton Street
Use the left lane.
16

Turn right onto East Mulberry Street

0.3 mi · 59 sec · East Mulberry Street
17

Turn left onto North Prairie Street

275 ft · 14 sec · North Prairie Street
18

Turn right onto East Douglas Street

504 ft · 23 sec · East Douglas Street
19

Turn right onto US 51 Business

0.1 mi · 15 sec · North East Street
20

Arrive at destination

US 51 Business

Trip Plan

Given the 3.5-hour duration, starting your trip from Antioch in the morning will allow you to reach Bloomington with plenty of daylight. With only one planned stop, you have flexibility to decide when and where to pull over for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer stretches on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, as services might be less frequent in certain sections. The $27 fuel estimate should help you budget accordingly for this efficient Midwest transit.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 87.5 miles from Antioch, IL, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.7 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles or 1h 38m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 87.5 miles or 1h 46m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 49m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bloomington, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Antioch, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Antioch, IL

This is one driving day of about 174.9 miles and 3h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Antioch, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Adlai Stevenson Expressway for about 108.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 87.5 mi from Antioch, IL · 1h 46m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Naperville, IL

87 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Naperville, IL to Bloomington, IL

124.1 mi · 2h 1m

Pacing Suggestions

Joliet, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Joliet, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 87.5 miles from Antioch, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 108.7 miles.

Arriving in Bloomington, IL

The final approach into Bloomington, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Bloomington, IL.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.34 one way

$54.69 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $30.02 $60.04
premium $4.89 $33.66 $67.32
diesel $5.61 $38.62 $77.23

Estimated Tolls: $3.06

Tri-state Tollway (51 mi) $3.06

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Tolls

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 61.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 52.5 0 $18.36 $8.40
Efficient EV 43.7 0 $15.30 $7.00
EV Truck/SUV 70 0 $24.49 $11.19

Gas CO2

61 kg

EV CO2

20 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 4 hours ago

Origin

Antioch, IL

Morning in Antioch on Wednesday

Local time

7:13 AM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bloomington, IL

Morning in Bloomington on Wednesday

Local time

7:13 AM

CDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

12 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 31m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Antioch, IL to Bloomington, IL covers 174.9 miles and takes about 3h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Adlai Stevenson Expressway, Tri-State Tollway, West IL Route 173. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 87.5 miles from Antioch, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.34 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 174.9 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 29.8 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.3 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Antioch, IL and Bloomington, IL, road signs point toward O'hare and St. Louis.

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