Origin
Lake Catherine, IL
Late night in Lake Catherine on Wednesday
Local time
5:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lake Catherine, IL to Bloomington, IL
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 33m
Distance
171.2 mi
275 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 21m
★
6 AM
3h 33m
8 AM
3h 58m
10 AM
3h 42m
12 PM
3h 40m
3 PM
3h 43m
5 PM
3h 57m
8 PM
3h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake Catherine, IL
Sean Ewing
Trip Overview
Spanning 185.4 miles, this journey from Lake Catherine to Bloomington serves as a straightforward day trip through the heart of the Midwest. You should plan for roughly 3 hours and 9 minutes of travel time, making it manageable for a single day of driving. Budgeting about $28 for fuel will cover your transit across the state. Because the path relies on a mix of local roads like Route 173 and IL 53 South rather than high-speed interstates, it offers a more grounded perspective of the Illinois landscape. Whether you are heading south for business or a change of scenery, this route is efficient enough to complete without an overnight stay.
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
85.6 miles from Lake Catherine, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route keeps you engaged with frequent transitions between Route 173, IL 53 South, and I 290 East. Because the highway share is 0%, you will spend your time navigating local infrastructure rather than cruising on open, high-speed lanes. The character of the road shifts constantly, requiring you to stay alert through various turns and intersections. It is a practical, hands-on driving experience that trades highway velocity for a more direct, localized path through the region.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 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 100.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 355. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 31.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 171.2 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 31.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 35.8 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.8 miles (I 355): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
31.1 mi into trip
|
~45m in
Take the ramp toward IL 53 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward IL 53 South
8
35.8 mi into trip
|
~52m in
|
IL 53
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53 toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
8
42.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
|
I 355
Keep slight left at fork onto I 355 toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 7
Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
8
62.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12A
Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
8
164.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m 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...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lake Catherine, IL and Bloomington, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Joliet Road South.
Saint Louis
62.9 mi in
|
~1h 26m
Joliet Road South
63.1 mi in
|
~1h 26m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Adlai Stevenson Expressway | 100.9 mi | 1h 51m |
| I 355 | 20.1 mi | 25m |
| US 12 | 18.6 mi | 25m |
| IL 53 | 11.3 mi | 14m |
| IL 59 | 10.9 mi | 17m |
| I 55 Business | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| East Empire Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| West IL Route 173 | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
— 100.9 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Catherine, IL and Bloomington, IL.
1
Start on IL 173
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West IL Route 173
2
Turn straight
244 ft
·
11 sec
3
Turn slight right onto IL 59
11 mi
·
17 min
·
IL 59
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on US 12; IL 59
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US 12; IL 59
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on US 12; IL 59
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
US 12; IL 59
6
Continue on US 12; IL 59
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
US 12; IL 59
7
Continue on US 12; IL 59
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 12; IL 59
8
Continue on US 12; IL 59
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US 12; IL 59
9
Continue on US 12; IL 59
14 mi
·
20 min
·
US 12; IL 59
Use the left lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward IL 53 South
Use the right lane.
11
Merge onto IL 53
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
7.0 mi
·
9 min
·
IL 53
Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 355
20 mi
·
25 min
·
I 355
Exit 7
Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
Use the slight left lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 12A
Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward Joliet Road South
Use the slight left lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 55
101 mi
·
1 hr 51 min
·
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
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.
19
Continue on I 55 Business
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Veterans Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
Toward IL 9 West: Pekin
Use the right lane.
21
Turn straight onto IL 9
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
East Empire Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
22
Turn left onto US 150
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
North Clinton Street
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto East Mulberry Street
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
East Mulberry Street
24
Turn left onto North Prairie Street
275 ft
·
14 sec
·
North Prairie Street
25
Turn right onto East Douglas Street
504 ft
·
23 sec
·
East Douglas Street
26
Turn right onto US 51 Business
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
North East Street
27
Arrive at destination
US 51 Business
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of this 185.4-mile trip, try to depart early in the morning to avoid peak local traffic congestion. You will only need to account for one planned stop to stay on track for your 3-hour and 9-minute arrival time. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition between Route 173 and IL 53 South, as these local segments require more frequent course corrections than a standard highway drive. Since your fuel budget is roughly $28, filling up before you leave Lake Catherine ensures you won't have to worry about finding a station while navigating the more technical sections of the route. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so feel free to adjust your pace to suit your comfort level on these local roads.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 85.6 miles from Lake Catherine, IL, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.9 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 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.6 miles or 1h 52m 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 52m
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 Lake Catherine, 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 Lake Catherine, IL
This is one driving day of about 171.2 miles and 3h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lake Catherine, 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 100.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 85.6 mi from Lake Catherine, IL · 1h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 85.6 miles from Lake Catherine, 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 100.9 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
$26.77 one way
$53.53 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.39 | $58.77 |
| premium | $4.89 | $32.95 | $65.89 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.80 | $75.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.4 | 0 | $17.98 | $8.22 |
| Efficient EV | 42.8 | 0 | $14.98 | $6.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.5 | 0 | $23.97 | $10.96 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Late night in Bloomington on Wednesday
Local time
5:11 AM
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
16 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
3h 33m 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 Lake Catherine, IL to Bloomington, IL covers 171.2 miles and takes about 3h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I 355, US 12. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 85.6 miles from Lake Catherine, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.77 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 17 significant decision points across 171.2 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 31.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 35.8 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.8 miles (I 355): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Lake Catherine, IL and Bloomington, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Joliet Road South.
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Return Trip
Bloomington, IL to Lake Catherine, ILPlan the drive back the other way.
172.2 mi
3h 31m
Continue From Bloomington, IL
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