Milford, IN to Bloomington, IN is 178.5 miles and takes about 4 hours via I 69 and SR 37, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest to Midwest journey offers a mixed drive experience, suitable for a single-day trip. You'll navigate through familiar Indiana landscapes as you head south. The route is straightforward, making it a practical choice for a quick getaway or a convenient way to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Plan for a relatively easy drive with clear navigation.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
89.2 miles from Milford, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h. Total distance: 178.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This 178.5-mile trip features a highway share of 50%, meaning you'll experience a blend of faster interstate driving and potentially more local road sections. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 65.1 miles on I 69, offering a good opportunity to settle in. As you transition from I 69 to SR 37, expect the driving character to shift, possibly becoming less about high-speed cruising and more about navigating through towns and varied terrain. This mixed drive profile means you won't be stuck on one type of road for the entire 4-hour duration.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 39 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 route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Main Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 178.5 miles you will encounter 20 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 (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (West Emeline Street): Navigation decision point; at 60.6 miles (SR 13; SR 19 / North 800 West): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|South Main Street
Turn left onto South Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|West Emeline Street
Turn right onto West Emeline Street
Navigation decision point
5
60.6 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|SR 13; SR 19 / North 800 West
Turn left onto SR 13; SR 19 / North 800 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
110.9 mi into trip|~2h 38m 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.
8
133.6 mi into trip|~3h 5m 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
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 69
65.1 mi
1h 14m
SR 37
15.3 mi
19m
Southwood Drive
14.4 mi
20m
South Higbee Street
12.2 mi
18m
North Jefferson Street
11.4 mi
16m
SR 13
9.3 mi
11m
Fisher Avenue
8.2 mi
11m
North 500 West
6.4 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 69
— 65.1 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Milford, IN and Bloomington, IN.
1
Start on East Catherine Street
126 ft·12 sec·East Catherine Street
2
Turn left onto South Main Street
462 ft·16 sec·South Main Street
3
Turn right onto West Emeline Street
0.2 mi·39 sec·West Emeline Street
4
Turn left onto SR 15
12 mi·18 min·South Higbee Street
5
Turn right onto SR 15
0.2 mi·25 sec·East Winona Avenue
6
Turn left onto SR 15
0.5 mi·44 sec·South Buffalo Street
7
Continue on SR 15
8.2 mi·11 min·Fisher Avenue
8
Continue on SR 15
2.6 mi·4 min·State Road 15
9
Continue on SR 15
11 mi·16 min·North Jefferson Street
10
Continue on SR 15
6.4 mi·9 min·North 500 West
11
Continue on SR 15
0.4 mi·38 sec·County Road 500 West
12
Continue on SR 15
0.8 mi·1 min·North Cass Street
13
Continue on SR 15
1.6 mi·2 min·Cass Street
14
Turn left onto SR 15
0.2 mi·22 sec·West Canal Street
15
Turn right onto SR 13; SR 15
1.0 mi·1 min·South Wabash Street
16
Turn slight right onto SR 13
14 mi·20 min·Southwood Drive
17
At end of road, turn right onto SR 13; SR 18
0.4 mi·41 sec·East Marion Street
18
Turn left onto SR 13; SR 19
4.1 mi·5 min·North 800 West
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on SR 13; SR 19
0.8 mi·2 min·North Washington Street
20
Continue on SR 13; SR 19
5.6 mi·8 min·South 800 West
21
Continue on SR 13
3.2 mi·4 min·State Road 13
22
Continue on SR 13
6.0 mi·8 min·North 900 West
23
Continue on SR 13
2.9 mi·4 min·North Anderson Street
24
Turn right onto SR 37; SR 13
2.4 mi·2 min·SR 37; SR 13
25
Continue on SR 13; SR 37
9.3 mi·11 min·SR 13; SR 37
26
Enter roundabout onto SR 37
105 ft·1 sec·SR 37
27
Continue on SR 37
13 mi·17 min·SR 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Merge onto I 69
3.1 mi·3 min·I 69
29
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
1.0 mi·1 min·I 69
Use the slight right lane.
30
Continue on I 69
22 mi·25 min·I 69
Exit 200Toward I 465 South, I 69 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
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.
32
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward College Avenue, Walnut Street
33
Turn straight onto North Walnut Street
3.2 mi·4 min·North Walnut Street
34
Continue on North College Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·North College Avenue
35
Turn left onto West 10th Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·West 10th Street
36
Turn right onto North Dunn Street
0.4 mi·1 min·North Dunn Street
37
Turn left onto East 4th Street
379 ft·15 sec·East 4th Street
38
Turn straight
99 ft·7 sec
39
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a 4-hour estimated drive time and a fuel cost around $28, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Consider leaving Milford in the morning to give yourself plenty of daylight and flexibility. The route includes only one recommended stop, so plan where you'd like to stretch your legs or refuel beforehand, especially before the longest stretch of 65.1 miles on I 69. Since it's a relatively short and direct route, you can be spontaneous with your timing and any unscheduled breaks you might want to take.
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 89.2 miles from Milford, IN, or about 2h 11m 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 39 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.2 miles or 2h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 20m
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 Milford, 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 Milford, IN
This is one driving day of about 178.5 miles and 4h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Milford, IN.
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 I 69 for about 65.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 89.2 mi from Milford, IN
· 2h 11m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.91 one way
$55.81 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.64
$61.28
premium
$4.89
$34.35
$68.70
diesel
$5.61
$39.41
$78.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
4 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: good
Tesla Supercharger
Bloomington, Indiana
Tesla
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Bloomington, Indiana
EV Connect
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Bloomington, Indiana
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
EVBOLT Charging Station
Bloomington, Indiana
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla: 1
EV Connect: 1
ChargePoint: 1
Other: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.6
0
$18.74
$8.57
Efficient EV
44.6
0
$15.62
$7.14
EV Truck/SUV
71.4
0
$24.99
$11.42
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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 17, 2026
Origin
Milford, IN
Morning
in Milford on Friday
Local time
10:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Areas Of Fog then Partly Sunny
SE 0 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 6:01AM CDT until April 17 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 16 at 9:34PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Bloomington, IN
Morning
in Bloomington on Friday
Local time
10:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
S 3 to 9 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 6:01AM CDT until April 17 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 16 at 9:34PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
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
4h on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Milford, IN to Bloomington, IN covers 178.5 miles and takes about 4h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 69, SR 37, Southwood Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 89.2 miles from Milford, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.91 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 178.5 miles you will encounter 20 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 (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (West Emeline Street): Navigation decision point; at 60.6 miles (SR 13; SR 19 / North 800 West): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Milford, IN to Bloomington, IN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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.
