Origin
Morton, IL
Afternoon in Morton on Sunday
Local time
3:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
1h 32m
Distance
76.4 mi
123 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Morton, IL
Tima Miroshnichenko
Decatur, IL
Stéphane Tendon
Connecting Morton and Decatur, this 76.4-mile trip through the Illinois Midwest is a straightforward journey typically clocking in at 1 hour and 32 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend about $12 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for travelers moving between these two central Illinois hubs. While the drive is relatively short, it provides a functional link across the state's interior landscape. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, the convenience of this connection allows for maximum flexibility in your travel schedule.
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
38.2 miles from Morton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 43m into the drive .
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, transitioning from high-speed interstate travel to more localized roads. You will spend roughly 49% of your time on highways, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 32.6 miles on I-74. After exiting the interstate, the character of the road shifts as you navigate onto North Walnut Street and North 1450 East Road. This transition from major transit arteries to smaller rural roads provides a noticeable change in pace behind the wheel. Expect a balance between the steady flow of highway traffic and the more deliberate, slower nature of the local sections that round out the journey.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near North Morton Avenue.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 32m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (North Morton Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 24.9 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto North Morton Avenue
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp toward I 74 East: Bloomington
Navigation decision point
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74 toward I 55 South, I 74 East, US 51 South: Saint Louis, Indianapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; US 51 toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto US 51 toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Decatur, Bloomington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Between Morton, IL and Decatur, IL, road signs point toward Indianapolis and Bloomington.
Indianapolis
Bloomington
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 74 | 32.6 mi | 34m |
| North Walnut Street | 23.2 mi | 29m |
| North 1450 East Road | 14.7 mi | 17m |
| US 51 Business | 4.7 mi | 7m |
| East Jackson Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Morton Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| US 51 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Wood Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Morton, IL and Decatur, IL.
Start on US 150
Turn right onto North Morton Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 74
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; US 51
Take the exit onto US 51
Continue on US 51
Continue on US 51
Turn straight onto US 51 Business
Turn left onto East Wood Street
Arrive at destination
Since the total duration is under two hours, you have the advantage of planning your departure time around your own personal preference rather than strict daylight requirements. There are no mandatory stops required for this 76.4-mile distance, giving you the freedom to drive straight through or break up the trip if you prefer a more leisurely pace. Keep in mind that since nearly half of your drive takes place on local roads, you should stay alert for changes in speed limits and road conditions once you exit I-74. Because the fuel budget is quite modest at $12, consider topping off your tank in Morton before you leave to avoid mid-trip errands. Use the flexibility of this short drive to reach your destination exactly when you need to be there.
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.
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 76.4 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.2 miles or 43m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Decatur, IL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Morton, 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 Morton, IL
This is one driving day of about 76.4 miles and 1h 32m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 38.2 mi from Morton, IL · 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 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.
A short stop after about 76.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 38.2 miles from Morton, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Decatur, 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 Decatur, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$11.60 one way
$23.21 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $12.79 | $25.58 |
| premium | $4.80 | $14.42 | $28.85 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $16.97 | $33.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.9 | 0 | $8.02 | $3.67 |
| Efficient EV | 19.1 | 0 | $6.69 | $3.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.6 | 0 | $10.70 | $4.89 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Morton on Sunday
Local time
3:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Decatur on Sunday
Local time
3:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
53°F
Bloomington, IL
38 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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