Origin
Bloomington, IL
Late night in Bloomington on Friday
Local time
3:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bloomington, IL to Cincinnati, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 4m
Distance
191.8 mi
309 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 51m
★
6 AM
4h 4m
8 AM
4h 30m
10 AM
4h 13m
12 PM
4h 11m
3 PM
4h 15m
5 PM
4h 29m
8 PM
3h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cincinnati, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 191.8-mile drive from Bloomington, IL to Cincinnati, IL is a straightforward trip within the Midwest, easily manageable as a single-day adventure. Expect to be on the road for about 4 hours and 4 minutes, with a projected fuel cost of around $30. The route primarily utilizes major interstates, making it a focused highway experience. Given its manageable distance and duration, this trip is ideal for a day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. You'll be traversing familiar Midwestern landscapes on this journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
95.9 miles from Bloomington, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 48m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 4m. Total distance: 191.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 68% of the journey taking place on interstates like I-57 and I-74. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 74.2 miles on I-57, offering a consistent pace. While the majority is interstate, there are segments on local roads like County Road 925 East, introducing slight variations. Expect a driving profile that prioritizes efficient travel over winding scenic byways, with a predictable road surface for most of the trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 74.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and I 74. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near West Chestnut Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 191.8 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (West Chestnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 51 Business / North Center Street): Navigation decision point; at 46.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Chestnut Street
Turn left onto West Chestnut Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 51 Business / North Center Street
Turn left onto US 51 Business / North Center Street
Navigation decision point
6
46.8 mi into trip
|
~55m in
Take the exit toward I 57: Chicago, Memphis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 179
Toward I 57: Chicago, Memphis
6
47.1 mi into trip
|
~56m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 57 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 179
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
6
121.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
Take the exit toward US 45: Sigel, Effingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 162
Toward US 45: Sigel, Effingham
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bloomington, IL and Cincinnati, IL, road signs point toward Memphis and Effingham.
Memphis
46.8 mi in
|
~55m
Effingham
121.9 mi in
|
~2h 16m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 74.2 mi | 1h 19m |
| I 74 | 42.8 mi | 45m |
| County Road 925 East | 16.2 mi | 24m |
| South Banker Street | 14.9 mi | 22m |
| County Road 1400 E | 10.4 mi | 15m |
| County Road 1600E | 8.5 mi | 12m |
| IL 15 | 7.1 mi | 10m |
| US 45 | 5.8 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 74.2 mi, about 1h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington, IL and Cincinnati, IL.
1
Start on US 51 Business
136 ft
·
5 sec
·
North East Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Continue on US 51 Business
396 ft
·
16 sec
·
North Main Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto West Chestnut Street
273 ft
·
19 sec
·
West Chestnut Street
4
Turn left onto US 51 Business
393 ft
·
13 sec
·
North Center Street
5
Continue on US 51 Business
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Madison Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
Continue on US 51 Business
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Center Street
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 51 Business
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 74 East: Champaign
9
Merge onto I 74
43 mi
·
45 min
·
I 74
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 179
Toward I 57: Chicago, Memphis
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 179
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
12
Merge onto I 57
74 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
I 57
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 162
Toward US 45: Sigel, Effingham
14
Turn left onto US 45
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 45
15
Turn right onto US 40; US 45; IL 33
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
East Fayette Avenue
16
Turn left onto US 45
15 mi
·
22 min
·
South Banker Street
17
Continue on US 45
16 mi
·
24 min
·
County Road 925 East
18
Turn slight left
135 ft
·
5 sec
19
Merge onto US 45; US 50
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
US 45; US 50
20
Turn right onto US 45
10 mi
·
15 min
·
County Road 1400 E
21
Continue on US 45
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Central Street
22
Continue on US 45
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road 1800N
23
Turn straight onto US 45
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
County Road 1600E
24
Continue on US 45
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Street
25
Continue on US 45
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
County Road 1600E
26
Turn sharp right onto IL 15
7.1 mi
·
10 min
·
IL 15
27
Turn right onto 900E
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
900E
28
Turn right onto County Road 1000N
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
County Road 1000N
29
Arrive at destination
County Road 1000N
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over 4 hours, this trip offers great flexibility for departure times. Aim to leave Bloomington in the morning to arrive in Cincinnati with plenty of daylight. You'll encounter one primary interstate stretch of over 74 miles, so plan your first stop for fuel or a break before or after this longer segment. The total fuel cost is estimated at $30, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before setting out. Keep an eye on your GPS for the transition onto County Road 925 East, as this marks a change from interstate travel.
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 95.9 miles from Bloomington, IL, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.2 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 42 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.9 miles or 1h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cincinnati, 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 191.8 miles and 4h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Bloomington, 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 I 57 for about 74.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 95.9 mi from Bloomington, IL · 1h 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
96 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 95.9 miles from Bloomington, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 74.2 miles.
Arriving in Cincinnati, IL
The final approach into Cincinnati, 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 Cincinnati, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.99 one way
$59.97 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
67 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $32.92 | $65.85 |
| premium | $4.89 | $36.91 | $73.82 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.35 | $84.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.5 | 0 | $20.14 | $9.21 |
| Efficient EV | 48 | 0 | $16.78 | $7.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 76.7 | 0 | $26.85 | $12.28 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Destination
Cincinnati, IL
Late night in Cincinnati on Friday
Local time
3:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
22 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 4m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Cincinnati, IL covers 191.8 miles and takes about 4h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, I 74, County Road 925 East. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 95.9 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 $29.99 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 191.8 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (West Chestnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 51 Business / North Center Street): Navigation decision point; at 46.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Bloomington, IL and Cincinnati, IL, road signs point toward Memphis and Effingham.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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