Trip from Morton, IL to Decatur, IL

Drive Time

1h 32m

Distance

76.4 mi

123 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 26m ★
6 AM
1h 33m
8 AM
1h 47m
10 AM
1h 38m
12 PM
1h 37m
3 PM
1h 39m
5 PM
1h 46m
8 PM
1h 29m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Morton, IL, IL

Morton, IL

Tima Miroshnichenko

Downtown Decatur, IL, IL

Decatur, IL

Stéphane Tendon

Trip Overview

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 .

Drive Character

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.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 74 is the longest continuous segment at about 32.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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.

Route Complexity 3/10

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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

3
0.4 mi into trip | ~0m in | North Morton Avenue

Turn right onto North Morton Avenue

Navigation decision point

3
0.7 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the ramp toward I 74 East: Bloomington

Navigation decision point

Toward I 74 East: Bloomington
6
24.9 mi into trip | ~27m in | I 74

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

Toward I 55 South, I 74 East, US 51 South: Sain...
6
31.5 mi into trip | ~34m in | I 74; US 51

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

Toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business N...
6
33.6 mi into trip | ~37m in | US 51

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

Exit 135 Toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Decat...

Towns Along This Route

Between Morton, IL and Decatur, IL, road signs point toward Indianapolis and Bloomington.

Indianapolis

24.9 mi in | ~27m | via I 74

Bloomington

33.6 mi in | ~37m | via US 51

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: I 74 — 32.6 mi, about 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Morton, IL and Decatur, IL.

1

Start on US 150

0.4 mi · 49 sec · East Jackson Street
2

Turn right onto North Morton Avenue

0.3 mi · 39 sec · North Morton Avenue
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 46 sec
Toward I 74 East: Bloomington
4

Merge onto I 74

24 mi · 25 min · I 74
5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 74

6.6 mi · 7 min · I 74
Toward I 55 South, I 74 East, US 51 South: Saint Louis, Indianapolis
6

Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; US 51

2.1 mi · 2 min · I 74; US 51
Toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
7

Take the exit onto US 51

0.3 mi · 39 sec · US 51
Exit 135 Toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Decatur, Bloomington
8

Continue on US 51

15 mi · 17 min · North 1450 East Road
Use the straight lane.
9

Continue on US 51

23 mi · 29 min · North Walnut Street
Use the none lane.
10

Turn straight onto US 51 Business

4.7 mi · 7 min · US 51 Business
11

Turn left onto East Wood Street

298 ft · 8 sec · East Wood Street
12

Arrive at destination

East Wood Street

Trip Plan

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.

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 38.2 miles from Morton, IL, or about 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.6 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 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.

Before You Leave

+

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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Morton, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 74 for about 32.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Bloomington, IL

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Bloomington, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 76.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bloomington, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 38.2 miles from Morton, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Decatur, IL

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.60 one way

$23.21 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 27 kg CO2
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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Morton, IL

Afternoon in Morton on Sunday

Local time

3:04 PM

CDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Decatur, IL

Afternoon in Decatur on Sunday

Local time

3:04 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

2 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

1h 32m 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 Morton, IL to Decatur, IL covers 76.4 miles and takes about 1h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 74, North Walnut Street, North 1450 East Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 38.2 miles from Morton, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.60 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.
This is a straightforward 1h 32m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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.
Between Morton, IL and Decatur, IL, road signs point toward Indianapolis and Bloomington.

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