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Trip from Chatham, IL to Bloomington, IL

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

1h 29m

Distance

76.3 mi

123 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 23m ★
6 AM
1h 30m
8 AM
1h 44m
10 AM
1h 35m
12 PM
1h 33m
3 PM
1h 35m
5 PM
1h 43m
8 PM
1h 26m

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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Downtown Chatham, IL, IL

Chatham, IL

Quang Vuong

Trip Overview

This straightforward 76.3-mile drive from Chatham, Illinois, to Bloomington, Illinois, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 29 minutes. You'll primarily be on interstate highways, making it a quick hop through the heart of the Midwest. With a projected fuel cost of around $12, this route is quite budget-friendly. The journey is predominantly highway-focused, designed for efficient travel rather than leisurely sightseeing. Given its short duration and direct path, no overnight stays are necessary, offering you flexibility to depart at your convenience.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 29m. Total distance: 76.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-centric experience on this 76.3-mile journey, with 93% of the drive taking place on interstates like I-55 and I-72. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 49.9 miles on I-55, allowing for a steady pace without frequent exits. The profile is consistently highway-focused, meaning you'll be navigating at higher speeds for the majority of the trip. While not a winding scenic route, its efficiency makes it ideal for covering ground quickly between these two Illinois locations.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 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 49.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 72. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 42.4 miles in near I 55.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 1h 29m 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: at 42.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.8 miles (I 55 Business / South Veterans Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.1 miles (I 55 Business / South Veterans Parkway): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 6 key points

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

7
42.4 mi into trip | ~49m in | I 55

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 North: Chicago
7
71.8 mi into trip | ~1h 20m in | I 55 Business / South Veterans Parkway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 Business / South Veterans Parkway toward I 55 Business North, I 74 East: Indianapolis

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

Exit 157A; 157B Toward I 55 Business North, I 74 East: Indianap...
4
72.1 mi into trip | ~1h 21m in | I 55 Business / South Veterans Parkway

Continue onto I 55 Business / South Veterans Parkway toward I 55 Business North

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes. Exit 157B Toward I 55 Business North
4
74.2 mi into trip | ~1h 24m in

Take the exit toward US 51 Business

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward US 51 Business
4
74.5 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in | US 51 Business / South Main Street

Turn left onto US 51 Business / South Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 49.9 mi 53m
I 72 17.1 mi 19m
South Veterans Parkway 3.7 mi 5m
North Main Street 3 mi 5m
South Main Street 1.3 mi 3m
South East Street 0.5 mi 1m
North East Street — —

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: I 55 — 49.9 mi, about 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on IL 4

3.0 mi · 5 min · North Main Street
Use the straight lane.
2

Continue on IL 4

1.2 mi · 1 min · South Veterans Parkway
3

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
4

Merge onto I 72; US 36

17 mi · 19 min · I 72; US 36
5

Continue on I 55

20 mi · 21 min · I 55
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

29 mi · 31 min · I 55
Toward I 55 North: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 Business

0.3 mi · 20 sec · South Veterans Parkway
Exit 157A; 157B Toward I 55 Business North, I 74 East: Indianapolis
8

Continue on I 55 Business

2.1 mi · 3 min · South Veterans Parkway
Exit 157B Toward I 55 Business North Use the left / straight lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward US 51 Business
10

Turn left onto US 51 Business

1.3 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
11

Continue on US 51 Business

0.5 mi · 1 min · South East Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
12

Arrive at destination

US 51 Business

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 38.1 mi from Chatham, IL · 44m into the drive

Downtown Riverton, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Riverton, IL

38 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.

Popular next leg

Riverton, IL to Bloomington, IL

59.7 mi · 1h 14m

Pacing Suggestions

Grandview, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Riverton, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 38.1 miles from Chatham, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Bloomington, IL

The final approach into Bloomington, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.93 one way

$23.86 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 27 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $13.10 $26.19
premium $4.89 $14.68 $29.37
diesel $5.61 $16.85 $33.69

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$12

Estimated CO2 emission: 26.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 22.9 0 $8.01 $3.66
Efficient EV 19.1 0 $6.68 $3.05
EV Truck/SUV 30.5 0 $10.68 $4.88

Gas CO2

27 kg

EV CO2

9 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 16, 2026

Origin

Chatham, IL

Late night in Chatham on Friday

Local time

2:27 AM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Sunny

W 10 to 14 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 10:43AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 10:43AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Destination

Bloomington, IL

Late night in Bloomington on Friday

Local time

2:27 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

54°F

Riverton, IL

38 mi in

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

29 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

1h 29m 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 Chatham, IL to Bloomington, IL covers 76.3 miles and takes about 1h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 55, I 72, South Veterans Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 38.1 miles from Chatham, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.93 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 1h 29m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 42.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.8 miles (I 55 Business / South Veterans Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.1 miles (I 55 Business / South Veterans Parkway): Lane positioning matters here.

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

Data sources

The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the methodology page.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Bloomington, IL to Chatham, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

130.2 mi 2h 35m

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