Trip from Bloomington, IL to Brookfield, IL

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

2h 29m

Distance

122.2 mi

197 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min

4 AM

2h 19m ★

6 AM

2h 29m

8 AM

2h 49m

10 AM

2h 36m

12 PM

2h 34m

3 PM

2h 37m

5 PM

2h 48m

8 PM

2h 23m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Trip Overview

This 122.2-mile drive from Bloomington, IL to Brookfield, IL is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 29 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day trip, with an estimated fuel cost of $19. The route primarily utilizes I 55, making it efficient for reaching your destination without needing an overnight stop. Given that both locations are within the Midwest region, you'll experience a consistent Midwestern landscape throughout your travels. This trip offers a practical and predictable way to get from point A to point B.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

61.1 miles from Bloomington, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 29m. Total distance: 122.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

Expect a highly highway-focused experience, with 91% of the drive taking place on interstates and major roads like I 55. You'll encounter one long stretch of uninterrupted driving for 111.4 miles on I 55. This means the majority of your journey will be at higher speeds, with limited opportunities for spontaneous stops or scenic detours. The transition from North Main Street to Joliet Road will mark a shift from local access to the primary interstate. The drive's personality is one of efficiency and directness, minimizing complexity.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 111.4 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

796 ft 535 ft

Total Climb

212 ft

Total Descent

387 ft

Highest Point

796 ft

Elevation Range

261 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and North Main Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 3.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 29m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 3.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 115.5 miles (Joliet Road): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

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

5

3.6 mi into trip | ~8m in

Take the ramp toward I 55 North: Chicago

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 55 North: Chicago

5

4.1 mi into trip | ~9m in | I 55

Merge onto I 55

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

7

115.5 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in | Joliet Road

Take the exit onto Joliet Road toward Joliet Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Exit 276C Toward Joliet Road

4

119.9 mi into trip | ~2h 23m in | East 47th Street

Turn right onto East 47th Street

Navigation decision point

6

120.9 mi into trip | ~2h 25m in | Maple Avenue

Turn left onto Maple Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 55	111.4 mi	2h 4m
North Main Street	3.6 mi	8m
Joliet Road	2 mi	3m
Maple Avenue	1.3 mi	3m
East 47th Street	1 mi	2m
South Brainard Avenue	1 mi	2m
South La Grange Road	0.8 mi	1m
West Plainfield Road	0.6 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 55 — 111.4 mi, about 2h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 51 Business

136 ft · 5 sec · North East Street

Use the straight lane.

2

Continue on US 51 Business

3.6 mi · 8 min · North Main Street

Use the straight lane.

3

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 55 North: Chicago Use the right lane.

4

Merge onto I 55

111 mi · 2 hr 4 min · I 55

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

5

Take the exit onto Joliet Road

2.0 mi · 3 min · Joliet Road

Exit 276C Toward Joliet Road Use the straight / slight left lanes.

6

Turn left onto South Brainard Avenue

1.0 mi · 2 min · South Brainard Avenue

7

Turn right onto West Plainfield Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Plainfield Road

8

Turn left onto US 12; US 20; US 45

0.8 mi · 1 min · South La Grange Road

9

Turn right onto East 47th Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · East 47th Street

10

Turn left onto Maple Avenue

1.3 mi · 3 min · Maple Avenue

Use the left lane.

11

Turn left onto Grant Avenue

101 ft · 4 sec · Grant Avenue

12

Arrive at destination

Grant Avenue

Trip Plan

For this relatively short, 2.5-hour drive, starting your trip in the morning will allow for maximum flexibility upon arrival. With no designated stops in the data, plan your own breaks as needed, especially during the 111.4-mile stretch on I 55. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $19, and it's always wise to be prepared. Since this is a single-day, highway-centric route, you can decide to depart on a whim or schedule it precisely. A good tip is to check traffic conditions on I 55 before you leave Bloomington, as this is your primary artery for most of the trip.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 61.1 miles from Bloomington, IL, or about 1h 13m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.4 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 27 miles or 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 61.1 miles or 1h 13m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 57m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Bloomington, 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 Bloomington, IL

This is one driving day of about 122.2 miles and 2h 29m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Bloomington, IL.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 111.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 61.1 mi from Bloomington, IL · 1h 13m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Gardner, IL

61 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.

Pacing Suggestions

El Paso, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Gardner, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 61.1 miles from Bloomington, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.4 miles.

Arriving in Brookfield, IL

The final approach into Brookfield, 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 Brookfield, 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

$19.10 one way

$38.21 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 43 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$20.98	$41.95
premium	$4.89	$23.52	$47.03
diesel	$5.61	$26.98	$53.96

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 42.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	36.7	$12.83	$5.87
Efficient EV	30.6	$10.69	$4.89
EV Truck/SUV	48.9	$17.11	$7.82

Gas CO2

43 kg

EV CO2

14 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Bloomington, IL

Evening in Bloomington on Thursday

Local time

8:22 PM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Brookfield, IL

Evening in Brookfield on Thursday

Local time

8:22 PM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

74°F

Gardner, IL

61 mi in

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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

2h 29m 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 Bloomington, IL to Brookfield, IL covers 122.2 miles and takes about 2h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 55, North Main Street, Joliet Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 61.1 miles from Bloomington, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.10 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

This is a straightforward 2h 29m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 3.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 115.5 miles (Joliet Road): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Bloomington, IL to Brookfield, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 535 ft to 796 ft elevation with about 212 ft of total climbing.

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