The drive from Bloomington, IL to Franklin Park, IL covers 131.4 miles and takes about 2h 38m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 55, Tri-State Tollway, South 25th Avenue for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 111.5 miles on I 55.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.54 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.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
65.7 miles from Bloomington, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 18m 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.
Top landmarks
•David Davis Mansion — house museum in Bloomington, Illinois
•Bloomington Central Business District — historic and central business district in Bloomington, McLean County, Illinois,...
•George H. Miller House — Bloomington, Illinois, listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 38m. Total distance: 131.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 38m highway drive covering 131.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and Tri-State Tollway. The longest continuous stretch is about 111.5 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 17 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 111.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 115.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 131.4 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 115.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.4 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 123.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
115.7 mi into trip|~2h 14m in
Take the exit toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
6
122.4 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
123.6 mi into trip|~2h 25m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Take the exit onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 31
Toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Roc...
6
123.6 mi into trip|~2h 25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 290 East: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 290 East: Chicago
7
126.7 mi into trip|~2h 30m in
Take the exit toward North 25th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 18B
Toward North 25th Avenue
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 Franklin Park, IL, road signs point toward Milwaukee and Chicago.
Milwaukee
123.6 mi in|~2h 25m|via I 294
Chicago
123.6 mi in|~2h 25m|via I 294
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
111.5 mi
2h 4m
Tri-State Tollway
6.1 mi
7m
South 25th Avenue
4.5 mi
8m
North Main Street
3.6 mi
8m
Eisenhower Expressway
2.1 mi
2m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
0.6 mi
<1m
North East Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Franklin Avenue
<0.1 mi
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 111.5 mi, about 2h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington, IL and Franklin Park, 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
112 mi·2 hr 4 min·I 55
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
1.6 mi·3 min
Exit 277AToward I 294 Tollway North: WisconsinUse the right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
7
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
1.2 mi·1 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto I 294
321 ft·7 sec·Tri-State Tollway
Exit 31Toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 290 East: Chicago
11
Continue on this road
524 ft·12 sec·this road
12
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
0.6 mi·49 sec·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
13
Merge onto I 290; IL 110
2.1 mi·2 min·Eisenhower Expressway
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 18BToward North 25th AvenueUse the right lane.
15
Turn straight onto South 25th Avenue
4.5 mi·8 min·South 25th Avenue
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto Franklin Avenue
45 ft·0 sec·Franklin Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Arrive at destination
Franklin 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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 65.7 miles from Bloomington, IL, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.5 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 29 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.7 miles or 1h 18m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franklin Park, 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 131.4 miles and 2h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 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 55 for about 111.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 65.7 mi from Bloomington, IL
· 1h 18m into the drive
The midpoint is around 65.7 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 111.5 miles.
Arriving in Franklin Park, IL
The final approach into Franklin Park, 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 Franklin Park, 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
$20.54 one way
$41.09 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$22.56
$45.11
premium
$4.89
$25.29
$50.57
diesel
$5.61
$29.01
$58.02
Estimated Tolls: $0.40
Tri-state Tollway
(6.1 mi)$0.36
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(0.6 mi)$0.04
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
$21
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.4
0
$13.80
$6.31
Efficient EV
32.9
0
$11.50
$5.26
EV Truck/SUV
52.6
0
$18.40
$8.41
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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 18, 2026
Origin
Bloomington, IL
Morning
in Bloomington on Saturday
Local time
11:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Sunny
WNW 18 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 5:50AM CDT until April 21 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 5:48AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Franklin Park, IL
Morning
in Franklin Park on Saturday
Local time
11:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°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
15 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 38m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 Franklin Park, IL covers 131.4 miles and takes about 2h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, Tri-State Tollway, South 25th Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 65.7 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 $20.54 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.
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 13 significant decision points across 131.4 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 115.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.4 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 123.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Bloomington, IL and Franklin Park, IL, road signs point toward Milwaukee and Chicago.
