Trip from Bloomington, IL to Hillcrest, IL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 3m

Distance

107.5 mi

173 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min

4 AM

1h 55m ★

6 AM

2h 3m

8 AM

2h 21m

10 AM

2h 10m

12 PM

2h 8m

3 PM

2h 10m

5 PM

2h 20m

8 PM

1h 58m

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

If you are planning a trip from Bloomington to Hillcrest, you are looking at a straightforward 107.5-mile journey across the Illinois Midwest. With a drive time of approximately 2 hours and 3 minutes, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $16 on fuel for the trip, making it an affordable regional commute. The path utilizes a combination of North Main Street, I-55 South, and I-39 North to connect the two locations. Because the entire route remains within Illinois, the transition between these two Midwestern towns is seamless and consistent. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, this drive offers a reliable and efficient way to traverse the state.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

53.8 miles from Bloomington, IL

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

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. While the route incorporates major arteries like I-55 and I-39, you will spend a significant portion of the time navigating local roads rather than cruising on a monotonous interstate. The highway share is noted as 0 percent, emphasizing the technical nature of the navigation required throughout the 107.5-mile trip. Because there are no designated long, uninterrupted stretches, you should prepare for frequent adjustments to your speed and direction. This isn't a mindless highway grind; it is an active driving experience that requires you to stay engaged with the local road network from start to finish.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

North Main Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Bloomington, IL to Hillcrest, IL is easy. At 2h 3m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Bloomington, IL to Hillcrest, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
North Main Street	—	—
I 55 South	—	—
I 39 North	—	—
IL 38	—	—
North 7th Street	—	—

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: North Main Street — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on North East Street

138 ft · 6 sec · North East Street

2

Continue on North Main Street

3.8 mi · 9 min · North Main Street

3

Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

0.4 mi · 59 sec · I 55 South: Saint Louis

4

Keep slight right to continue on I 39 North, US 51 North: Rockford

0.4 mi · 41 sec · I 39 North, US 51 North: Rockford

5

Continue straight

99 mi · 1 hr 45 min

6

Take the exit slight right toward IL 38: DeKalb, Rochelle

0.4 mi · 55 sec · IL 38: DeKalb, Rochelle

7

Turn left

2.4 mi · 3 min

8

Turn right onto North 7th Street

1.2 mi · 1 min · North 7th Street

9

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short drive of just over two hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the local roads that make up the bulk of your journey. Because there are zero scheduled stops in the data, you should plan your own breaks ahead of time to ensure you remain alert, especially given the turn-heavy profile of this route. Keep that $16 fuel estimate in mind as you budget for your travel expenses. Most importantly, since you are navigating local roads rather than high-speed highways, prioritize watching for changing speed limits and signage as you transition between North Main Street and your interstate connections.

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 53.8 miles from Bloomington, IL, or about 1h 1m into the drive.

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 24 miles or 27m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 53.8 miles or 1h 1m 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 41m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hillcrest, 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 107.5 miles and 2h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Bloomington, IL.

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

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 53.8 mi from Bloomington, IL · 1h 1m into the drive

United States cavalry commander (1839–1876)

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Custer, IL

54 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Custer, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 53.8 miles from Bloomington, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Hillcrest, IL

The final approach into Hillcrest, 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 Hillcrest, 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

$16.81 one way

$33.61 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 38 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$18.45	$36.91
premium	$4.89	$20.69	$41.37
diesel	$5.61	$23.73	$47.47

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 37.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	32.3	$11.29	$5.16
Efficient EV	26.9	$9.41	$4.30
EV Truck/SUV	43	$15.05	$6.88

Gas CO2

38 kg

EV CO2

13 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

Night in Bloomington on Wednesday

Local time

10:19 PM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hillcrest, IL

Night in Hillcrest on Wednesday

Local time

10:19 PM

CDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

52°F

Custer, IL

54 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

4 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 3m 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 Hillcrest, IL covers 107.5 miles and takes about 2h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are North Main Street, I 55 South, I 39 North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 53.8 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 $16.81 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.

The drive from Bloomington, IL to Hillcrest, IL is easy. At 2h 3m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Bloomington, IL to Hillcrest, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

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