The drive from Bloomington, IL to Clarendon Hills, IL covers 118.3 miles and takes about 2h 20m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 55, North Main Street, Kingery Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 108.9 miles on I 55.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.56 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.1 miles from Bloomington, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Bloomington, pop. 77,000 (2010 census), is a city in the Midwestern state of Illinois in the United States of America, on the classic Route 66 highway across the country. With neighboring Normal, pop. 52,000 (2010 census), it forms a combined community of about 130,000 known locally as the Twin Cities. Illinois Wesleyan University is in Bloomington, and is not to be confused with Illinois State University in Normal.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 20m. Total distance: 118.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 20m highway drive covering 118.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and North Main Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 108.9 miles on I 55.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 108.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and North Main Street. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.6 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
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 118.3 miles you will encounter 8 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 3.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 113 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 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
7
113 mi into trip|~2h 10m in
Take the exit toward IL 83: Kingery Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 274
Toward IL 83: Kingery Road
8
113.2 mi into trip|~2h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road
8
113.4 mi into trip|~2h 11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road North
6
117 mi into trip|~2h 16m in
Take the exit toward 55th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 55th Street
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
108.9 mi
2h 1m
North Main Street
3.6 mi
8m
Kingery Highway
3.3 mi
4m
South Prospect Avenue
0.7 mi
2m
55th Street
0.4 mi
<1m
North East Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
North Prospect Avenue
—
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 108.9 mi, about 2h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington, IL and Clarendon Hills, 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: ChicagoUse the right lane.
4
Merge onto I 55
109 mi·2 hr 1 min·I 55
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 274Toward IL 83: Kingery RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward IL 83 North: Kingery RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road NorthUse the right lane.
8
Continue on IL 83
3.3 mi·4 min·Kingery Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward 55th StreetUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn right onto 55th Street
0.4 mi·55 sec·55th Street
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto South Prospect Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·South Prospect Avenue
12
Continue on South Prospect Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·South Prospect Avenue
13
Arrive at destination
North Prospect Avenue
Trip Plan
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 59.1 miles from Bloomington, IL, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.9 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 26 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.1 miles or 1h 11m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clarendon Hills, 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 118.3 miles and 2h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 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 108.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.1 mi from Bloomington, IL
· 1h 11m into the drive
The midpoint is around 59.1 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 108.9 miles.
Arriving in Clarendon Hills, IL
The final approach into Clarendon Hills, 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 Clarendon Hills, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 114.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.56 one way
$35.13 round trip
$3.77/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.25
$19.81
$39.62
premium
$4.65
$21.68
$43.35
diesel
$5.30
$24.70
$49.41
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.5
0
$12.42
$5.68
Efficient EV
29.6
0
$10.35
$4.73
EV Truck/SUV
47.3
0
$16.56
$7.57
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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
Late night
in Bloomington on Saturday
Local time
5:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clarendon Hills, IL
Late night
in Clarendon Hills on Saturday
Local time
5:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Gardner, IL
59 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
17 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
2h 20m 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 Clarendon Hills, IL covers 118.3 miles and takes about 2h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, North Main Street, Kingery Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.1 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 $17.56 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 118.3 miles you will encounter 8 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 3.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 113 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Bloomington, IL to Clarendon Hills, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
