Origin
Coal City, IL
Afternoon in Coal City on Friday
Local time
12:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Coal City, IL to Bloomington, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 31m
Distance
77 mi
124 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 25m
★
6 AM
1h 32m
8 AM
1h 45m
10 AM
1h 36m
12 PM
1h 35m
3 PM
1h 37m
5 PM
1h 45m
8 PM
1h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Coal City, IL
Braeson Holland
Trip Overview
This straightforward 77-mile drive from Coal City, Illinois, to Bloomington, Illinois, will take you approximately 1 hour and 31 minutes to complete. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day trip, making it easy to fit into a busy schedule. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, it's an economical journey. The route primarily utilizes I-55, offering a direct path through the Midwest. You'll find this drive to be efficient and uncomplicated, ideal for travelers prioritizing arrival time over extensive sightseeing.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.5 miles from Coal City, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 43m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 77 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience on this route, with 93% of your journey taking place on interstates. The bulk of your travel, a continuous 67.5 miles, will be on I-55. This means you'll encounter consistent speeds and limited deviations. While the landscape is predominantly flat Midwest terrain, the prolonged highway stretches are designed for efficient travel rather than scenic exploration. You'll primarily navigate I-55 and its business loops, maintaining a steady pace throughout.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 67.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 55 Business. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.9 miles in near I 55.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.9 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.4 miles (I 55 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.9 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 55
Merge onto I 55
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
70.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m 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 slight right lane.
Exit 167
Toward I 55 Business South: Veterans Parkway, C...
6
74.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward IL 9 West: Pekin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward IL 9 West: Pekin
6
76.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
|
US 150 / North Clinton Street
Turn left onto US 150 / North Clinton Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
76.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
|
East Douglas Street
Turn right onto East Douglas Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Coal City, IL to Bloomington, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Illinois Regional Airport along the way.
Illinois Regional Airport
70.4 mi in
|
~1h 17m
|
via I 55 Business
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 67.5 mi | 1h 12m |
| I 55 Business | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| West Division Street | 2 mi | 3m |
| East Empire Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| North Veterans Parkway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| West Coal City Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Mulberry Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Clinton Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 67.5 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Coal City, IL and Bloomington, IL.
1
Start on IL 113
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
West Division Street
2
Continue on IL 113
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Coal City Road
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 55 South: Bloomington
4
Merge onto I 55
67 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
·
I 55
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
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 slight right lane.
6
Continue on I 55 Business
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Veterans Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
Toward IL 9 West: Pekin
Use the right lane.
8
Turn straight onto IL 9
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
East Empire Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
9
Turn left onto US 150
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
North Clinton Street
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto East Mulberry Street
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
East Mulberry Street
11
Turn left onto North Prairie Street
275 ft
·
14 sec
·
North Prairie Street
12
Turn right onto East Douglas Street
504 ft
·
23 sec
·
East Douglas Street
13
Turn right onto US 51 Business
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
North East Street
14
Arrive at destination
US 51 Business
Trip Plan
Given its short duration of just over an hour and a half, this trip offers significant flexibility. You can easily depart at your leisure, perhaps after a relaxed breakfast in Coal City. There are no designated stops recommended, so you can easily complete the 77 miles without needing to pull over for extended breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 67.5 miles on I-55, to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted journey to Bloomington. The $12 fuel estimate makes it easy to budget for this quick hop.
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 38.5 miles from Coal City, IL, or about 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.5 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 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.5 miles or 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 12m
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 Coal City, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Coal City, IL
This is one driving day of about 77 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Coal City, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 67.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 38.5 mi from Coal City, IL · 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 38.5 miles from Coal City, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.5 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.04 one way
$24.08 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $13.22 | $26.43 |
| premium | $4.89 | $14.82 | $29.64 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.00 | $34.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.9 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 | 23.1 | 0 | $8.08 | $3.70 |
| Efficient EV | 19.3 | 0 | $6.74 | $3.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.8 | 0 | $10.78 | $4.93 |
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.
Destination
Bloomington, IL
Afternoon in Bloomington on Friday
Local time
12:24 PM
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 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
1h 31m 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 Coal City, IL to Bloomington, IL covers 77 miles and takes about 1h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, I 55 Business, West Division Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 38.5 miles from Coal City, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.04 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 77 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.9 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.4 miles (I 55 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Coal City, IL to Bloomington, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Illinois Regional Airport along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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