Origin
Hillcrest, IL
Night in Hillcrest on Wednesday
Local time
10:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hillcrest, IL to Bloomington, IL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 2m
Distance
109.6 mi
176 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 54m
★
6 AM
2h 3m
8 AM
2h 20m
10 AM
2h 9m
12 PM
2h 7m
3 PM
2h 10m
5 PM
2h 20m
8 PM
1h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hillcrest, IL
Mike Tyurin
Trip Overview
Spanning 109.7 miles across the Illinois heartland, this trip connects Hillcrest to Bloomington in approximately 1 hour and 44 minutes. Because the total duration is quite manageable, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, eliminating the need for an overnight stay. You should budget roughly $17 for fuel, keeping the trip cost-effective for a quick getaway. Navigating through the Midwest, you will utilize a combination of May Mart Drive, I-55 South, and US-150. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, this direct path offers a straightforward experience between the two Illinois locations.
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
54.8 miles from Hillcrest, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a mindless highway cruise. With a highway share of 0%, you won't be spending much time on high-speed interstates, meaning the pace remains steady and grounded in local road conditions. The transition between May Mart Drive and US-150 creates a varied driving experience that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Because this is not a traditional interstate slog, you should prepare for a more tactile driving experience through the regional landscape. Stay alert at intersections and transitions as you maneuver through this 109.7-mile stretch.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 39 is the longest continuous segment at about 98.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 39 and US 51. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near IL 38 / May Mart Drive.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Hillcrest, IL to Bloomington, IL is easy. At 2h 2m with 95% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (IL 38 / May Mart Drive): Navigation decision point; at 102.2 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
1.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
IL 38 / May Mart Drive
Turn left onto IL 38 / May Mart Drive
Navigation decision point
6
102.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m in
|
US 51
Keep slight right at fork onto US 51 toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champai...
8
107 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
Take the exit toward US 150, IL 9: Pekin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 160
Toward US 150, IL 9: Pekin
5
107.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
|
US 150; IL 9 / West Market Street
Turn left onto US 150; IL 9 / West Market Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
109.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
|
US 51 Business / North East Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 51 Business / North East 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.
Between Hillcrest, IL and Bloomington, IL, road signs point toward Champaign, Saint Louis and Decatur.
Champaign
102.2 mi in
|
~1h 51m
|
via US 51
Saint Louis
102.2 mi in
|
~1h 51m
|
via US 51
Decatur
102.2 mi in
|
~1h 51m
|
via US 51
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 39 | 98.5 mi | 1h 45m |
| US 51 | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| May Mart Drive | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| West Market Street | 2 mi | 5m |
| IL 251 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| North East Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 39
— 98.5 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hillcrest, IL and Bloomington, IL.
1
Start on IL 251
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
IL 251
2
Turn left onto IL 38
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
May Mart Drive
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
4
Merge onto I 39; US 51
99 mi
·
1 hr 45 min
·
I 39; US 51
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 51
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
US 51
Toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 160
Toward US 150, IL 9: Pekin
Use the left lane.
7
Turn left onto US 150; IL 9
2.0 mi
·
5 min
·
West Market Street
Use the left lane.
8
At end of road, turn left onto US 51 Business
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
North East Street
9
Arrive at destination
US 51 Business
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 44 minutes, you have significant flexibility in your departure time to avoid local traffic. Since there are no planned stops on this route, make sure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave to cover the estimated $17 cost in one go. Keep a close eye on your navigation when transitioning between May Mart Drive and US-150, as the turn-heavy nature of the route requires frequent adjustments. If you prefer a relaxed pace, consider leaving mid-morning to avoid typical commuter rushes. Prioritize comfort before you depart, as the lack of designated stops means you will be behind the wheel for the duration of the trip.
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 54.8 miles from Hillcrest, IL, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.5 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 24 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.8 miles or 1h 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 38m
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 Hillcrest, 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 Hillcrest, IL
This is one driving day of about 109.6 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Hillcrest, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 39 for about 98.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 54.8 mi from Hillcrest, IL · 1h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 54.8 miles from Hillcrest, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 39 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.5 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Bloomington, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.13 one way
$34.27 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $18.81 | $37.63 |
| premium | $4.89 | $21.09 | $42.18 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.20 | $48.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.3 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 | 32.9 | 0 | $11.51 | $5.26 |
| Efficient EV | 27.4 | 0 | $9.59 | $4.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.8 | 0 | $15.34 | $7.01 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Destination
Bloomington, IL
Night in Bloomington on Wednesday
Local time
10:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Custer, IL
55 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
4 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 2m 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 Hillcrest, IL to Bloomington, IL covers 109.6 miles and takes about 2h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 39, US 51, May Mart Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 54.8 miles from Hillcrest, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.13 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.
The drive from Hillcrest, IL to Bloomington, IL is easy. At 2h 2m with 95% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (IL 38 / May Mart Drive): Navigation decision point; at 102.2 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Hillcrest, IL and Bloomington, IL, road signs point toward Champaign, Saint Louis and Decatur.
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