Trip from Bloomington, IN to Burns Harbor, IN

Drive Time

Distance

206.2 mi

332 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 48m ★

6 AM

4h 1m

8 AM

4h 27m

10 AM

4h 10m

12 PM

4h 7m

3 PM

4h 11m

5 PM

4h 25m

8 PM

3h 53m

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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Bloomington, IN

Chris Flaten

Burns Harbor, IN

Thomas Parker

Trip Overview

The drive from Bloomington, IN to Burns Harbor, IN covers 206.2 miles and takes about 4h behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 65, I 69, I 74 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 135.4 miles on I 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.32 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

103.1 miles from Bloomington, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 4h highway drive covering 206.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 65 and I 69. The longest continuous stretch is about 135.4 miles on I 65.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 65 is the longest continuous segment at about 135.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 69. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 43.6 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 206.2 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 43.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.2 miles (65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

43.6 mi into trip | ~51m in

Take the exit toward I 465 West, I 74 West: Peoria

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 163 Toward I 465 West, I 74 West: Peoria

54.2 mi into trip | ~1h 5m in | 65

Keep slight left at fork onto 65

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

58.1 mi into trip | ~1h 10m in

Take the exit toward I 65 North: Chicago

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Exit 20 Toward I 65 North: Chicago

195.1 mi into trip | ~3h 40m in

Take the exit toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo, Detroit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 259B Toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo,...

201.9 mi into trip | ~3h 49m in

Take the exit toward SR 249: Port of Indiana, Portage

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 19 Toward SR 249: Port of Indiana, Portage

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Bloomington, IN to Burns Harbor, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Detroit along the way.

Detroit

195.1 mi in | ~3h 40m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 65	135.4 mi	2h 27m
I 69	38.2 mi	42m
I 74	9.2 mi	10m
Borman Expressway	5.7 mi	7m
North Walnut Street	4.4 mi	6m
65	3.9 mi	4m
Crisman Road	2 mi	3m
South Boundary Road	0.4 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 65 — 135.4 mi, about 2h 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington, IN and Burns Harbor, IN.

Start on this road

99 ft · 11 sec · this road

Turn right onto South Indiana Avenue

0.2 mi · 39 sec · South Indiana Avenue

Turn left onto East 7th Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · East 7th Street

Turn right onto North Walnut Street

4.4 mi · 6 min · North Walnut Street

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Merge onto I 69

38 mi · 42 min · I 69

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

1.4 mi · 3 min

Exit 163 Toward I 465 West, I 74 West: Peoria

Merge onto I 74; I 465

9.2 mi · 10 min · I 74; I 465

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto 65

3.9 mi · 4 min · 65

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

1.1 mi · 2 min

Exit 20 Toward I 65 North: Chicago Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 65

18 mi · 19 min · I 65

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 52

0.2 mi · 15 sec · US 52

Exit 141 Toward US 52 West

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 9 sec

Merge onto I 65

118 mi · 2 hr 8 min · I 65

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min

Exit 259B Toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo, Detroit Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 26 sec

Toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo, Detroit

Merge onto I 80; I 94; US 6

5.7 mi · 7 min · Borman Expressway

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 19 Toward SR 249: Port of Indiana, Portage Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto SR 249

2.0 mi · 3 min · Crisman Road

Continue on George Nelson Drive

0.3 mi · 49 sec · George Nelson Drive

Turn right onto North Loop Drive

0.2 mi · 42 sec · North Loop Drive

Turn left onto South Boundary Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Boundary Road

Continue on W Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · W Street

Turn left onto 10th Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · 10th Street

Turn right onto R Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · R Street

Arrive at destination

R Street

Trip Plan

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 103.1 miles from Bloomington, IN, or about 2h into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.4 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 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 103.1 miles or 2h 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 12m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burns Harbor, IN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Bloomington, IN 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, IN

This is one driving day of about 206.2 miles and 4h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bloomington, IN.

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 65 for about 135.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 103.1 mi from Bloomington, IN · 2h into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cincinnati, OH

103 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

Champaign, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Champaign, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 103.1 miles from Bloomington, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135.4 miles.

Arriving in Burns Harbor, IN

The final approach into Burns Harbor, IN 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 Burns Harbor, IN.

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.

Indiana Dunes National Park

National Park

Lake Michigan's might has influenced Indiana Dunes for millennia. Wind and waves have shaped the land, leaving a rich mosaic of habitats along these 15 miles of Indiana coast. Over 50 miles of trails...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 near mile 206.2

Park Closure: Partial Closures to Marquette Greenway Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail

Park Closure: Mount Baldy Closure

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.32 one way

$62.64 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 72 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$34.53	$69.05
premium	$4.80	$38.93	$77.85
diesel	$5.64	$45.81	$91.62

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 72.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	61.9	0	$21.65	$9.90
Efficient EV	51.6	0	$18.04	$8.25
EV Truck/SUV	82.5	1	$28.87	$13.20

Gas CO2

72 kg

EV CO2

24 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Bloomington, IN

Morning in Bloomington on Monday

Local time

10:47 AM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Burns Harbor, IN

Morning in Burns Harbor on Monday

Local time

9:47 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°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

1 hour earlier

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

6 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

4h 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, IN to Burns Harbor, IN covers 206.2 miles and takes about 4h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 65, I 69, I 74. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 103.1 miles from Bloomington, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.32 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.

On the drive from Bloomington, IN to Burns Harbor, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Detroit along the way.

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Return Trip

Burns Harbor, IN to Bloomington, IN

Plan the drive back the other way.

206.2 mi 4h 1m

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Trip from Bloomington, IN to Burns Harbor, IN

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Burns Harbor, IN

National Parks Near This Route

Indiana Dunes National Park

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Bloomington, IN

Burns Harbor, IN

1 hour earlier

6 degrees cooler at arrival

4h on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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