Origin
Chicago, IL
Afternoon in Chicago on Sunday
Local time
4:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chicago, IL to Bloomington, IL
Drive Time
2h 40m
Distance
132.1 mi
213 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 30m
★
6 AM
2h 41m
8 AM
3h 2m
10 AM
2h 48m
12 PM
2h 46m
3 PM
2h 49m
5 PM
3h 1m
8 PM
2h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Chicago to Bloomington, you are looking at a straightforward 132.1-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes. Because the route is compact and efficient, it works perfectly as a single-day trip, meaning you likely won't need to book an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $20 on fuel for the trek across the Midwest. Since both cities are located within Illinois, you will remain in the heart of the region for the duration of the drive. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that prioritizes getting you to your destination quickly rather than focusing on leisurely detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
66.1 miles from Chicago, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a focused highway experience, as 97% of this trip is spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, which accounts for a significant 118-mile stretch of your total travel. The route feels like a standard interstate grind, characterized by consistent speeds and a direct path south. As you transition from the dense Chicago urban environment, the road maintains a predictable, high-speed pace. Being behind the wheel here is all about steady movement, as you navigate these primary arteries before finally transitioning onto I-55 Business as you approach your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 118 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and Stevenson Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near West Cermak Road.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 132.1 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 0.2 miles (West Cermak Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (South Halsted Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
West Cermak Road
At end of road, turn right onto West Cermak Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South Halsted Street
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
0.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 55: Saint Louis, Lake Shore Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55: Saint Louis, Lake Shore Drive
8
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: St Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 53B
Toward I 55 South: St Louis
8
125.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
|
I 55 Business
Take the exit onto I 55 Business toward I 55 Business South: Veterans Parkway, Central Illinois Regional Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / slight right lanes.
Exit 167
Toward I 55 Business South: Veterans Parkway, C...
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Chicago, IL to Bloomington, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Illinois Regional Airport along the way.
Illinois Regional Airport
125.5 mi in
|
~2h 26m
|
via I 55 Business
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Adlai Stevenson Expressway | 118 mi | 2h 14m |
| Stevenson Expressway | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| I 55 Business | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| East Empire Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| North Veterans Parkway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East Mulberry Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Adlai E Stevenson Expressway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Clinton Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
— 118 mi, about 2h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago, IL and Bloomington, IL.
1
Start on this road
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
West Cermak Road
Use the none lane.
3
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
South Halsted Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
285 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Canalport Avenue
Use the none lane.
5
Turn slight right
110 ft
·
4 sec
6
Take the ramp
455 ft
·
11 sec
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 55: Saint Louis, Lake Shore Drive
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 53B
Toward I 55 South: St Louis
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 55
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Stevenson Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 55
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Adlai E Stevenson Expressway
11
Continue on I 55
118 mi
·
2 hr 14 min
·
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto I 55 Business
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
I 55 Business
Exit 167
Toward I 55 Business South: Veterans Parkway, Central Illinois Regional Airport
Use the none / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 55 Business
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Veterans Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
Toward IL 9 West: Pekin
Use the right lane.
15
Turn straight onto IL 9
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
East Empire Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto US 150
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
North Clinton Street
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto East Mulberry Street
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
East Mulberry Street
18
Turn left onto North Prairie Street
275 ft
·
14 sec
·
North Prairie Street
19
Turn right onto East Douglas Street
504 ft
·
23 sec
·
East Douglas Street
20
Turn right onto US 51 Business
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
North East Street
21
Arrive at destination
US 51 Business
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 132.1-mile drive, aim to depart during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the Stevenson Expressway. Since this is a relatively short trip, one well-planned stop is all you need to break up the 2-hour and 40-minute duration effectively. Keep in mind that the majority of your travel occurs on a single, long highway stretch, so check traffic reports for the I-55 corridor before you pull out of your driveway. Having your $20 fuel budget ready in advance helps keep your travel logistics simple. Use the flexibility of this short drive to choose a departure time that best fits your schedule rather than rushing to beat the clock.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.1 miles from Chicago, IL, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118 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 66.1 miles or 1h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bloomington, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chicago, 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 Chicago, IL
This is one driving day of about 132.1 miles and 2h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Chicago, IL.
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 Adlai Stevenson Expressway for about 118 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66.1 mi from Chicago, IL · 1h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 66.1 miles from Chicago, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118 miles.
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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Bloomington, IL.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.06 one way
$40.13 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $22.12 | $44.24 |
| premium | $4.80 | $24.94 | $49.88 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $29.35 | $58.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.6 | 0 | $13.87 | $6.34 |
| Efficient EV | 33 | 0 | $11.56 | $5.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.8 | 0 | $18.49 | $8.45 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Bloomington, IL
Afternoon in Bloomington on Sunday
Local time
4:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°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
7 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
2h 40m 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 Chicago, IL to Bloomington, IL covers 132.1 miles and takes about 2h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Adlai Stevenson Expressway, Stevenson Expressway, I 55 Business. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 66.1 miles from Chicago, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.06 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 132.1 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 0.2 miles (West Cermak Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (South Halsted Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Chicago, IL to Bloomington, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Illinois Regional Airport along the way.
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