Origin
Bloomington, IN
Evening in Bloomington on Wednesday
Local time
8:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bloomington, IN to Spencer, IN
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
30m
Distance
17.3 mi
28 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 28m
★
6 AM
0h 30m
8 AM
0h 35m
10 AM
0h 32m
12 PM
0h 31m
3 PM
0h 32m
5 PM
0h 35m
8 PM
0h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bloomington, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Spencer, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick excursion in the Midwest, the 17.3-mile trip from Bloomington to Spencer is an ideal candidate for a simple day trip. You can expect to reach your destination in about 30 minutes, making it a highly efficient transition between these two Indiana towns. Navigating this route involves primarily local roads, including North Walnut Street, West State Road 45 46 Bypass, and State Road 46. With a fuel budget of just $3, this is an incredibly affordable drive that fits easily into a casual afternoon. Since the entire journey is local, you do not need to worry about splitting the trip or booking overnight accommodations. It is a straightforward, no-fuss drive that gets you from point A to point B without any unnecessary complexity.
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
8.6 miles from Bloomington, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 16m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. Your time behind the wheel will be spent navigating local infrastructure, with the longest uninterrupted stretch lasting only 7.8 miles on State Road 46. Because the route relies entirely on local roads, you will experience a more intimate feel than you would on a major highway. The path requires your full attention as you transition between the various connectors that link the two cities. It is a practical, functional drive that prioritizes direct access over long-distance cruising.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Road 46 is the longest continuous segment at about 7.8 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
830 ft
564 ft
Total Climb
244 ft
Total Descent
449 ft
Highest Point
830 ft
~4.9 mi in
Elevation Range
266 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Indiana Avenue.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 30m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Indiana Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (East 7th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (North Walnut Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Indiana Avenue
Turn right onto South Indiana Avenue
Navigation decision point
3
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East 7th Street
Turn left onto East 7th Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
North Walnut Street
Turn right onto North Walnut Street
Navigation decision point
3
7.5 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
SR 46 / East Main Street
Turn slight right onto SR 46 / East Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
17.2 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
North Main Street
Turn left onto North Main Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Road 46 | 7.8 mi | 11m |
| West State Road 45 46 Bypass | 5.7 mi | 10m |
| North Walnut Street | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| East Main Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| East Morgan Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East 7th Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| South Indiana Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Temperance Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
State Road 46
— 7.8 mi, about 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington, IN and Spencer, IN.
1
Start on this road
99 ft
·
11 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto South Indiana Avenue
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
South Indiana Avenue
3
Turn left onto East 7th Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East 7th Street
4
Turn right onto North Walnut Street
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
North Walnut Street
5
Turn left onto SR 45; SR 46
159 ft
·
8 sec
·
West State Roade 45 46 Bypass
6
Continue on SR 45; SR 46
5.7 mi
·
10 min
·
West State Road 45 46 Bypass
7
Turn slight right onto SR 46
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Merge onto SR 46
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
West Temperance Street
9
Continue on SR 46
7.8 mi
·
11 min
·
State Road 46
10
Continue on SR 46
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Morgan Street
11
Turn left onto North Main Street
120 ft
·
3 sec
·
North Main Street
12
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Because this is a short 30-minute drive, you have the benefit of total flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to plan for any stops along the way, as the distance is short enough to drive straight through without a break. Keep in mind that since the route is entirely local, road conditions can change quickly, so stay alert for local traffic patterns. Given the low $3 fuel cost, you don't need to stress about finding the cheapest pump before you head out. A great way to approach this trip is to use the extra time saved by the short duration to focus on your arrival plans in Spencer.
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 8.6 miles from Bloomington, IN, or about 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.8 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 17.3 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.6 miles or 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spencer, 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 17.3 miles and 30m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on State Road 46 for about 7.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.6 mi from Bloomington, IN · 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
9 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 17.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 8.6 miles from Bloomington, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Spencer, IN
The final approach into Spencer, 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 Spencer, IN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.63 one way
$5.26 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $2.90 | $5.79 |
| premium | $4.80 | $3.27 | $6.53 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.84 | $7.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.2 | 0 | $1.82 | $0.83 |
| Efficient EV | 4.3 | 0 | $1.51 | $0.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.9 | 0 | $2.42 | $1.11 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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.
Destination
Spencer, IN
Evening in Spencer on Wednesday
Local time
8:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
30m 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, IN to Spencer, IN covers 17.3 miles and takes about 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Road 46, West State Road 45 46 Bypass, North Walnut Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 8.6 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 $2.63 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 is a straightforward 30m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Indiana Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (East 7th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (North Walnut Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Bloomington, IN to Spencer, IN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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