Origin
Eel River, IN
Morning in Eel River on Wednesday
Local time
7:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Eel River, IN to Bloomington, IN
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 11m
Distance
43.6 mi
70 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 6m
★
6 AM
1h 11m
8 AM
1h 23m
10 AM
1h 15m
12 PM
1h 14m
3 PM
1h 16m
5 PM
1h 22m
8 PM
1h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eel River, IN
Volcsei Peter
Bloomington, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 43.6-mile drive from Eel River, IN to Bloomington, IN is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 11 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $7, it's an economical journey through the Midwest. The route primarily utilizes SR 46 and State Road 46, offering a straightforward connection between these Indiana locations. You'll experience a mixed drive, meaning it's not all highway, but a blend that keeps things interesting. This short distance allows for plenty of flexibility in your schedule, making it ideal for a spontaneous excursion or a relaxed start to your day.
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
21.8 miles from Eel River, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 33m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this 43.6-mile route, with 57% of it on highways. The majority of your time will be spent on SR 46 and State Road 46, offering a consistent experience for much of the journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 20.4 miles on SR 46, allowing for a good period of cruising. While not exclusively a highway grind, the significant highway share suggests periods of faster travel interspersed with other road types. This blend ensures you're not stuck in one type of driving for too long, providing a varied experience behind the wheel.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
SR 46 is the longest continuous segment at about 20.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near SR 59.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 11m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (SR 59): Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles (SR 46): Navigation decision point; at 41.7 miles (North College Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
SR 59
Turn left onto SR 59
Navigation decision point
4
5.4 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
SR 46
Turn right onto SR 46
Navigation decision point
5
41.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
|
North College Avenue
Turn sharp right onto North College Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
4
42.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
West 10th Street
Turn left onto West 10th Street
Navigation decision point
4
43.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
|
North Dunn Street
Turn right onto North Dunn Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| SR 46 | 20.4 mi | 29m |
| State Road 46 | 13.5 mi | 21m |
| SR 59 | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| West Temperance Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| West Morgan Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| North College Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| West County Road 450 South | 0.8 mi | 3m |
| North Dunn Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
SR 46
— 20.4 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eel River, IN and Bloomington, IN.
1
Start on West County Road 450 South
96 ft
·
4 sec
·
West County Road 450 South
2
Continue on South County Road 75 West
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
South County Road 75 West
3
Turn left onto West County Road 450 South
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West County Road 450 South
4
Turn left onto SR 59
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
SR 59
5
Turn right onto SR 46
20 mi
·
29 min
·
SR 46
6
Turn left onto US 231; SR 46; SR 67
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
West Morgan Street
7
Continue on SR 46
7.8 mi
·
11 min
·
State Road 46
8
Continue on SR 46
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West Temperance Street
9
Continue on SR 46
5.7 mi
·
10 min
·
State Road 46
10
Turn sharp right onto North College Avenue
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North College Avenue
11
Turn left onto West 10th Street
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
West 10th Street
12
Turn right onto North Dunn Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Dunn Street
13
Turn left onto East 4th Street
379 ft
·
15 sec
·
East 4th Street
14
Turn straight
99 ft
·
7 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 11-minute duration for this 43.6-mile trip, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best. Consider departing in the morning to maximize your time in Bloomington or late afternoon to avoid any potential rush hour on SR 46. With minimal stops planned, you can easily complete this drive without needing to break it up. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is just $7, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. A specific tip for this route: pay attention as you transition between SR 46 and State Road 46, as signage can sometimes be less frequent on these types of state roads.
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 21.8 miles from Eel River, IN, or about 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.4 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 43.6 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 21.8 miles or 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 57m
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 Eel River, 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 Eel River, IN
This is one driving day of about 43.6 miles and 1h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Eel River, 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 SR 46 for about 20.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.8 mi from Eel River, IN · 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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 43.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21.8 miles from Eel River, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.82 one way
$13.63 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $7.48 | $14.97 |
| premium | $4.89 | $8.39 | $16.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.63 | $19.25 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.1 | 0 | $4.58 | $2.09 |
| Efficient EV | 10.9 | 0 | $3.82 | $1.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.4 | 0 | $6.10 | $2.79 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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, IN
Morning in Bloomington on Wednesday
Local time
7:26 AM
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
5 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 11m 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 Eel River, IN to Bloomington, IN covers 43.6 miles and takes about 1h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are SR 46, State Road 46, SR 59. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 21.8 miles from Eel River, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.82 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 11m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (SR 59): Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles (SR 46): Navigation decision point; at 41.7 miles (North College Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
The route from Eel River, IN to Bloomington, IN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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