This 118.5-mile drive from Gas City to Bloomington, Indiana, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 24 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-69, with sections of Strawtown Pike and SR 37, the route offers a straightforward journey through the Midwest. With a projected fuel cost of around $19, this highway-focused drive is economical for a single day's adventure. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained roads, making it a practical option for those looking for an efficient transit between these two Indiana cities. Consider this a solid choice for a quick getaway or a convenient relocation.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.3 miles from Gas City, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 13m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 24m. Total distance: 118.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (66%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for 66% of this 118.5-mile route, meaning you'll be on high-speed roads for a significant portion. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 65.1 miles on I-69, allowing for steady progress. While the majority is interstate, there are segments on Strawtown Pike and SR 37 that may offer a slightly different driving experience, though still largely geared towards efficient travel. This route is designed for getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss, rather than showcasing winding country lanes.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 69 is the longest continuous segment at about 65.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and Strawtown Pike. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 35; SR 22 / East Main Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 118.5 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (US 35; SR 22 / East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 51 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.9 miles (I 69): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 35; SR 22 / East Main Street
Turn left onto US 35; SR 22 / East Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
51 mi into trip|~1h 3m in|I 69
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
5
51.9 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|I 69
Continue onto I 69 toward I 465 South, I 69 South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 200
Toward I 465 South, I 69 South
8
73.7 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|I 69
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69 toward I 69 South: Evansville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5
Toward I 69 South: Evansville
5
113 mi into trip|~2h 14m in
Take the exit toward College Avenue, Walnut Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward College Avenue, Walnut Street
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 69
65.1 mi
1h 14m
Strawtown Pike
30.5 mi
35m
SR 37
12.9 mi
17m
East Hi Way Drive
3.2 mi
4m
North Walnut Street
3.2 mi
4m
West 500 S
1.1 mi
1m
North College Avenue
1 mi
2m
North Dunn Street
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 69
— 65.1 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gas City, IN and Bloomington, IN.
1
Start on South 2nd Street
230 ft·15 sec·South 2nd Street
2
Turn left onto US 35; SR 22
0.1 mi·16 sec·East Main Street
3
Continue on US 35; SR 22
3.2 mi·4 min·East Hi Way Drive
4
Continue on US 35; SR 22
1.1 mi·1 min·West 500 S
5
Turn left onto SR 37
30 mi·35 min·Strawtown Pike
6
Enter roundabout onto SR 37
105 ft·1 sec·SR 37
7
Continue on SR 37
13 mi·17 min·SR 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 69
3.1 mi·3 min·I 69
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
1.0 mi·1 min·I 69
Use the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 69
22 mi·25 min·I 69
Exit 200Toward I 465 South, I 69 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
39 mi·44 min·I 69
Exit 5Toward I 69 South: EvansvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward College Avenue, Walnut Street
13
Turn straight onto North Walnut Street
3.2 mi·4 min·North Walnut Street
14
Continue on North College Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·North College Avenue
15
Turn left onto West 10th Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·West 10th Street
16
Turn right onto North Dunn Street
0.4 mi·1 min·North Dunn Street
17
Turn left onto East 4th Street
379 ft·15 sec·East 4th Street
18
Turn straight
99 ft·7 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour 24-minute duration, this 118.5-mile trip is perfectly suited for a single day. You could leave Gas City in the morning and arrive in Bloomington by lunchtime, or depart after lunch and reach your destination by early evening. The $19 fuel cost is minimal, so plan for one fuel stop if your tank is low before you depart. Since the longest stretch is over 65 miles, keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach that point. There are no designated 'stops' in the data, so plan your own breaks along the way, perhaps when you transition from I-69 to SR 37.
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 59.3 miles from Gas City, IN, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.1 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 26 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.3 miles or 1h 13m 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 56m
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 Gas City, 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 Gas City, IN
This is one driving day of about 118.5 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Gas City, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 69 for about 65.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.3 mi from Gas City, IN
· 1h 13m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.53 one way
$37.05 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$20.34
$40.68
premium
$4.89
$22.80
$45.61
diesel
$5.61
$26.16
$52.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.6
0
$12.44
$5.69
Efficient EV
29.6
0
$10.37
$4.74
EV Truck/SUV
47.4
0
$16.59
$7.58
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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
Gas City, IN
Morning
in Gas City on Saturday
Local time
7:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bloomington, IN
Morning
in Bloomington on Saturday
Local time
7:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Sunny
WSW 14 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 3:01PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 16 at 12:24PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
75°F
Beech Grove, IN
59 mi in
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
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
2h 24m 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 Gas City, IN to Bloomington, IN covers 118.5 miles and takes about 2h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 69, Strawtown Pike, SR 37. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.3 miles from Gas City, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.53 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 118.5 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (US 35; SR 22 / East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 51 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.9 miles (I 69): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Gas City, IN to Bloomington, IN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
