Origin
Bloomington, IL
Evening in Bloomington on Sunday
Local time
6:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bloomington, IL to Crestwood, IL
Drive Time
4h 34m
Distance
220.8 mi
355 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 21m
★
6 AM
4h 34m
8 AM
5h 1m
10 AM
4h 44m
12 PM
4h 41m
3 PM
4h 45m
5 PM
5h 0m
8 PM
4h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Crestwood, IL
Choco Kitty
Trip Overview
Traveling from Bloomington to Crestwood covers a 220.8-mile stretch that typically takes about 4 hours and 34 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey stays entirely within the Midwest, it serves as a straightforward, manageable day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You can expect to navigate a mix of thoroughfares, including the Ken Gray Expressway, I-57, and North Walnut Street. Budgeting approximately $34 for fuel should keep you covered for the duration of the trip. Whether you are heading out for business or a visit, this route offers a practical connection between these two Illinois hubs.
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
110.4 miles from Bloomington, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip features a mixed drive profile, with 56% of your time spent on highways, meaning you will experience both high-speed cruising and slower-paced local road transitions. Your longest uninterrupted segment occurs on the Ken Gray Expressway, where you will cover 46.8 miles of road. You should prepare for a transition in driving environments as you move between the main expressway stretches and the local segments like North Walnut Street. The route balances the efficiency of interstate travel with the necessary navigation required for shorter, non-highway sections. Expect a varied pace as the road conditions shift throughout your 220.8-mile journey.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Ken Gray Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 46.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 22 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.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 220.8 miles you will encounter 22 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 51.4 miles (US 51 Business / South Business Route 51): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 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
4
51.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
US 51 Business / South Business Route 51
Take the ramp onto US 51 Business / South Business Route 51
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
215.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 20m in
Take the exit toward IL 148
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 45
Toward IL 148
5
220.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 33m in
|
Pinewood Drive
Turn left onto Pinewood Drive
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ken Gray Expressway | 46.8 mi | 50m |
| I 57 | 24.5 mi | 26m |
| North Walnut Street | 23.2 mi | 29m |
| South Business Route 51 | 19.6 mi | 23m |
| South Main Street | 16.5 mi | 21m |
| 300 East Road | 15.1 mi | 17m |
| United States Highway 51 | 13.4 mi | 15m |
| County Road 875 East | 11.1 mi | 12m |
Longest stretch:
Ken Gray Expressway
— 46.8 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington, IL and Crestwood, 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
17 mi
·
21 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 51
23 mi
·
29 min
·
North Walnut Street
Use the none lane.
9
Turn straight onto US 51 Business
9.9 mi
·
15 min
·
US 51 Business
10
Take the ramp onto US 51 Business
20 mi
·
23 min
·
South Business Route 51
Use the none lane.
11
Continue on US 51
7.9 mi
·
9 min
·
North 2600 East Rd
Use the none lane.
12
Turn right onto US 51; IL 16
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North 2600 East Road
13
Continue on US 51; IL 16
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Jackson Street
14
Turn left onto US 51; IL 16
467 ft
·
8 sec
·
Cedar Street
15
Turn right onto US 51; IL 16
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East 1st Street
16
Turn left onto US 51; IL 16
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
South Poplar Street
17
Turn straight onto US 51
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Fair Avenue
18
Continue on US 51
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road 2400 E
19
Continue on US 51
15 mi
·
17 min
·
300 East Road
20
Continue on US 51
11 mi
·
12 min
·
County Road 875 East
21
Continue on US 51
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Kennedy Boulevard
22
Turn left onto US 40; US 51; IL 185
0.5 mi
·
34 sec
·
West Gallatin Street
23
Turn right
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
24
Continue on US 51
13 mi
·
15 min
·
United States Highway 51
25
Continue on US 51
10 mi
·
11 min
·
250E
26
Turn left onto US 50
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
US 50
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
28
Merge onto I 57
24 mi
·
26 min
·
I 57
29
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
47 mi
·
50 min
·
Ken Gray Expressway
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 45
Toward IL 148
31
Turn right onto IL 148
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
IL 148
32
Turn left onto IL 37
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
IL 37
33
Turn right onto Lake Egypt Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Lake Egypt Road
34
Turn right onto Power Plant Road
2.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Power Plant Road
35
Turn left onto McKinney Chapel Road
0.5 mi
·
2 min
·
McKinney Chapel Road
36
Turn right onto Ridgeway
283 ft
·
17 sec
·
Ridgeway
37
Turn left onto Pinewood Drive
385 ft
·
17 sec
·
Pinewood Drive
38
Arrive at destination
Pinewood Drive
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day drive, aim for an early start to avoid any potential peak-hour congestion on the busier sections of the route. You only need to plan for one strategic stop to break up the 4-hour and 34-minute duration, making it easy to stay refreshed without losing momentum. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the longer highway stretches, as $34 is a solid estimate but can fluctuate based on your vehicle's specific efficiency. Because the trip is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule. Prioritize checking traffic conditions for I-57 before you leave to ensure the smoothest possible transition through the more congested portions of your drive.
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 110.4 miles from Bloomington, IL, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.8 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 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.4 miles or 2h 24m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Crestwood, 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 220.8 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 Ken Gray Expressway for about 46.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 110.4 mi from Bloomington, IL · 2h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
110 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 110.4 miles from Bloomington, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Crestwood, IL
The final approach into Crestwood, 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 Crestwood, 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
$33.54 one way
$67.07 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $36.97 | $73.94 |
| premium | $4.80 | $41.68 | $83.37 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $49.05 | $98.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.2 | 0 | $23.18 | $10.60 |
| Efficient EV | 55.2 | 0 | $19.32 | $8.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.3 | 1 | $30.91 | $14.13 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Crestwood, IL
Evening in Crestwood on Sunday
Local time
6:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°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 34m 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 Crestwood, IL covers 220.8 miles and takes about 4h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ken Gray Expressway, I 57, North Walnut Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 110.4 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 $33.54 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 220.8 miles you will encounter 22 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 51.4 miles (US 51 Business / South Business Route 51): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Bloomington, IL to Crestwood, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Crestwood, IL
More trips to Crestwood, IL
Explore more options from Bloomington, IL or browse trips ending in Crestwood, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.
Explore maps for Bloomington, IL or Crestwood, IL on MapSof.net.