Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Burns Harbor, IN to Bloomington, IN

Drive Time

4h 1m

Distance

206.2 mi

332 km

Drive Score

9/10

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 8m
3 PM
4h 11m
5 PM
4h 26m
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
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
town in Indiana, United States

Burns Harbor, IN

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Bloomington, IN, IN

Bloomington, IN

Chris Flaten

Trip Overview

The drive from Burns Harbor, IN to Bloomington, IN covers 206.2 miles and takes about 4h 1m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, I 69, I 465 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 130 miles on Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway. 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 Burns Harbor, IN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from Burns Harbor, IN to Bloomington, IN covers 206.2 miles and takes about 4h 1m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 130 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.9 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 18 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 9.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

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

8
9.9 mi into trip | ~17m in

Take the exit toward I 65: Gary, Toll Road, Indianapolis

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 12 Toward I 65: Gary, Toll Road, Indianapolis
6
10.5 mi into trip | ~18m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 South, I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Indianapolis, Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 65 South, I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 W...
7
10.6 mi into trip | ~18m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 South: Indianapolis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 65 South: Indianapolis
6
141.1 mi into trip | ~2h 41m in | I 65

Keep slight left at fork onto I 65

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
161.6 mi into trip | ~3h 5m in

Take the exit toward I 69 South: Evansville

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 5 Toward I 69 South: Evansville

Towns Along This Route

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

Chicago

10.5 mi in | ~18m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway 130 mi 2h 21m
I 69 38.3 mi 42m
I 465 13.7 mi 15m
I 94 5.9 mi 7m
I 65 5.9 mi 6m
North Walnut Street 3.2 mi 4m
SR 249 1.6 mi 2m
North College Avenue 1 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway — 130 mi, about 2h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on R Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · R Street
2

Turn left onto 10th Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · 10th Street
3

At end of road, turn right onto W Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · W Street
4

Continue on South Boundary Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Boundary Road
5

Turn right onto North Loop Drive

0.2 mi · 41 sec · North Loop Drive
6

Turn left onto George Nelson Drive

0.5 mi · 1 min · George Nelson Drive
7

Continue on SR 249

1.6 mi · 2 min · SR 249
8

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Toward I 94 West: Chicago
9

Merge onto I 94

5.9 mi · 7 min · I 94
Use the right lane.
10

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 51 sec
Exit 12 Toward I 65: Gary, Toll Road, Indianapolis Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 9 sec
Toward I 65 South, I 80 West, I 94 West, US 6 West: Indianapolis, Chicago
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 59 sec
Toward I 65 South: Indianapolis Use the slight left lane.
13

Merge onto I 65

130 mi · 2 hr 21 min · Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 65

5.9 mi · 6 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 123 Toward I 465 South
16

Continue on this road

0.6 mi · 1 min · this road
Exit 123 Toward I 465 South
17

Merge onto I 465

14 mi · 15 min · I 465
18

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 5 Toward I 69 South: Evansville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Continue on I 69

38 mi · 42 min · I 69
20

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 59 sec
Toward College Avenue, Walnut Street
21

Turn straight onto North Walnut Street

3.2 mi · 4 min · North Walnut Street
22

Continue on North College Avenue

1.0 mi · 2 min · North College Avenue
23

Turn left onto West 10th Street

0.4 mi · 54 sec · West 10th Street
24

Turn right onto North Dunn Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · North Dunn Street
25

Turn left onto East 4th Street

379 ft · 15 sec · East 4th Street
26

Turn straight

99 ft · 7 sec
27

Arrive at destination

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 Burns Harbor, IN, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 130 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 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 103.1 miles or 1h 59m 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 15m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Burns Harbor, 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 Burns Harbor, IN

This is one driving day of about 206.2 miles and 4h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Burns Harbor, 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 Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway for about 130 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 103.1 mi from Burns Harbor, IN · 1h 59m into the drive

Downtown Cincinnati, OH, OH

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

Orland Park, 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 Burns Harbor, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 130 miles.

Arriving in Bloomington, IN

The final approach into Bloomington, 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 Bloomington, 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

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
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

Burns Harbor, IN

Afternoon in Burns Harbor on Monday

Local time

12:30 PM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bloomington, IN

Afternoon in Bloomington on Monday

Local time

1:30 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°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 later

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

Temperature spread

6 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 1m 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 Burns Harbor, IN to Bloomington, IN covers 206.2 miles and takes about 4h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Casimir Pulaski Memorial Highway, I 69, I 465. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 103.1 miles from Burns Harbor, 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Burns Harbor, IN to Bloomington, IN, road signs begin pointing toward Chicago along the way.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Bloomington, IN to Burns Harbor, IN

Plan the drive back the other way.

206.2 mi 4h

Continue From Bloomington, IN

Middlebury, IN 229.4 mi · 4h 34m Trail Creek, IN 222.6 mi · 4h 17m Michigan City, IN 221.8 mi · 4h 15m Wolcottville, IN 211 mi · 4h 8m

More from Burns Harbor, IN

Evansville, IN 283.5 mi · 5h 1m Saint Joseph, IN 263.1 mi · 5h 5m Greenwood, IN 177.5 mi · 2h 57m Terre Haute, IN 171.6 mi · 3h 40m Fishers, IN 165.1 mi · 2h 43m Indianapolis, IN 160.1 mi · 2h 40m

More trips to Bloomington, IN

York, IN 228.3 mi Fremont, IN 225.8 mi Lagrange, IN 223.7 mi Davis, IN 223 mi Trail Creek, IN 222.4 mi Michigan City, IN 221.6 mi

Explore more options from Burns Harbor, IN or browse trips ending in Bloomington, IN.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IN road trips.

Explore maps for Burns Harbor, IN or Bloomington, IN on MapSof.net.