This 129-mile drive from Maywood, IL to Bloomington, IL is a straightforward journey perfect for a single-day trip, taking about 2 hours and 34 minutes. You'll primarily be on major tollways, with an 83% highway share, making it a focused drive through the Midwest. The estimated fuel cost is around $20, and with only one recommended stop, it’s an efficient route. This drive is ideal if you're looking for a quick and uncomplicated connection between two Illinois locations, allowing for flexibility in your departure time.
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
64.5 miles from Maywood, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Bloomington, pop. 77,000 (2010 census), is a city in the Midwestern state of Illinois in the United States of America, on the classic Route 66 highway across the country. With neighboring Normal, pop. 52,000 (2010 census), it forms a combined community of about 130,000 known locally as the Twin Cities. Illinois Wesleyan University is in Bloomington, and is not to be confused with Illinois State University in Normal.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 34m. Total distance: 129 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this route, with 83% of the journey on major roadways. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 100.9 miles on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, indicating long periods of consistent driving. The Veterans Memorial Tollway and Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway are your main companions, suggesting a consistent, high-speed experience for most of the 2-hour, 34-minute trip. The road character remains largely consistent, emphasizing efficiency over varied scenery.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 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 Veterans Memorial Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.8 miles in near I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 129 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 3.8 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.7 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
3.8 mi into trip|~6m in|I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora, Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 15A
Toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora...
8
5.7 mi into trip|~9m in|I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 138
Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
7
11.4 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward I 355 South: Joliet
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 131A
Toward I 355 South: Joliet
8
20.7 mi into trip|~28m 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
122.4 mi into trip|~2h 20m 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 Maywood, IL and Bloomington, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis, Joliet Road South and Illinois Regional Airport.
Step-by-step road directions between Maywood, IL and Bloomington, IL.
1
Start on this road
163 ft·17 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto School Street
215 ft·14 sec·School Street
3
Turn left onto South 9th Avenue
330 ft·13 sec·South 9th Avenue
4
Turn right onto Madison Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Madison Street
5
Turn left onto South 17th Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·South 17th Avenue
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto Harrison Street
0.1 mi·20 sec·Harrison Street
7
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward I 290 West
8
Merge onto I 290; IL 110
2.4 mi·3 min·Eisenhower Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110
1.9 mi·2 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 15AToward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora, IndianaUse the slight left lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110
5.8 mi·6 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 138Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)Use the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi·55 sec
Exit 131AToward I 355 South: JolietUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 355
8.6 mi·10 min·Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 12AToward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Joliet Road SouthUse the slight left lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 55
101 mi·1 hr 51 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit onto I 55 Business
3.1 mi·5 min·I 55 Business
Exit 167Toward I 55 Business South: Veterans Parkway, Central Illinois Regional AirportUse the slight right lane.
18
Continue on I 55 Business
0.9 mi·1 min·North Veterans Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·22 sec
Toward IL 9 West: PekinUse the right lane.
20
Turn straight onto IL 9
1.6 mi·3 min·East Empire Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto US 150
0.3 mi·50 sec·North Clinton Street
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto East Mulberry Street
0.3 mi·59 sec·East Mulberry Street
23
Turn left onto North Prairie Street
275 ft·14 sec·North Prairie Street
24
Turn right onto East Douglas Street
504 ft·23 sec·East Douglas Street
25
Turn right onto US 51 Business
0.1 mi·15 sec·North East Street
26
Arrive at destination
US 51 Business
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour, 34-minute duration and 129-mile distance, this route is easily manageable in one day. Aim to leave Maywood in the morning to maximize your time in Bloomington, and consider making your single stop around the halfway point for a quick break. With an estimated fuel cost of $20, filling up before you depart is a good strategy. The longest stretch without a break is over 100 miles, so be prepared for sustained driving on the tollways.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64.5 miles from Maywood, IL, or about 1h 17m 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 28 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.5 miles or 1h 17m 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 2m
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 Maywood, 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 Maywood, IL
This is one driving day of about 129 miles and 2h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Maywood, 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 64.5 mi from Maywood, IL
· 1h 17m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.7
0
$13.54
$6.19
Efficient EV
32.3
0
$11.29
$5.16
EV Truck/SUV
51.6
0
$18.06
$8.26
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Maywood, IL
Late night
in Maywood on Saturday
Local time
2:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 15 mph100% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 17 at 11:24PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 11:24PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Bloomington, IL
Late night
in Bloomington on Saturday
Local time
2:22 AM
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
7 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 34m 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 Maywood, IL to Bloomington, IL covers 129 miles and takes about 2h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Adlai Stevenson Expressway, Veterans Memorial Tollway, Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 64.5 miles from Maywood, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.17 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.
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 23 significant decision points across 129 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 3.8 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.7 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Maywood, IL and Bloomington, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis, Joliet Road South and Illinois Regional Airport.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.
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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
