This 132.9-mile drive from Patton, IL to Bloomington, IL is a straightforward Midwest journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking about 2 hours and 56 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $21, it's an economical option for a quick trip. The route primarily utilizes I-74, making it a highway-focused experience. Since both the origin and destination are within the Midwest region of Illinois, you'll experience consistent Midwestern landscapes. This trip is well-suited as a day excursion, offering a direct and efficient way to travel between these two points without the need for an overnight stop.
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
66.5 miles from Patton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m 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.
The majority of this 2-hour and 56-minute drive, approximately 61%, is spent on the interstate, specifically I-74. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 78.2 miles on I-74, which means extended periods of steady highway driving. While the profile is highway-focused, the route also incorporates sections on Georgetown Road and East Terre Haute Road, offering some variation from the interstate. Expect a driving experience characterized by efficiency and consistent speed for much of the journey, with brief transitions onto local roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 78.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 74 and Georgetown Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near 74th Place.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 56m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (74th Place): Navigation decision point; at 15.5 miles (US 150; IL 1 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 50.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.4 mi into trip|~5m in|74th Place
At end of road, turn left onto 74th Place
Navigation decision point
4
15.5 mi into trip|~26m in|US 150; IL 1 / South Main Street
Turn right onto US 150; IL 1 / South Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
50.8 mi into trip|~1h 22m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 74 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 74 West
6
129.3 mi into trip|~2h 48m in
Take the exit toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: 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: Bloom...
4
129.7 mi into trip|~2h 48m in|US 51 Business / South Main Street
Turn right onto US 51 Business / South Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 74
78.2 mi
1h 24m
Georgetown Road
29.8 mi
44m
East Terre Haute Road
7.3 mi
10m
North Terre Haute Road
5.5 mi
7m
South Main Street
3.3 mi
6m
IL Route 1
2.4 mi
6m
North State Street
1.9 mi
2m
East 2250th Road
1.4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 74
— 78.2 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Patton, IL and Bloomington, IL.
1
Start on East 2250th Road
1.4 mi·5 min·East 2250th Road
2
At end of road, turn left onto 74th Place
0.6 mi·2 min·74th Place
3
Turn left onto East Terre Haute Road
7.3 mi·10 min·East Terre Haute Road
4
Continue on North Terre Haute Road
5.5 mi·7 min·North Terre Haute Road
5
Turn left onto US 150
0.6 mi·53 sec·East Jasper Street
6
Turn right onto US 150; IL 1
0.5 mi·47 sec·South Main Street
7
Continue on US 150; IL 1
2.4 mi·6 min·IL Route 1
8
Continue on US 150; IL 1
10 mi·14 min·Georgetown Road
9
Continue on US 150; IL 1
0.3 mi·28 sec·1575 E US 36
10
Continue on US 150; IL 1
6.1 mi·9 min·Georgetown Road
11
Continue on US 150; IL 1
1.9 mi·2 min·North State Street
12
Continue on US 150; IL 1
14 mi·20 min·Georgetown Road
13
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·41 sec
Toward I 74 West: Champaign
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 74 West
15
Merge onto I 74
78 mi·1 hr 24 min·I 74
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 135Toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Bloomington
17
Turn right onto US 51 Business
2.8 mi·5 min·South Main Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Continue on US 51 Business
0.5 mi·1 min·South East Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
19
Arrive at destination
US 51 Business
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2-hour and 56-minute duration, this trip from Patton to Bloomington is ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $21, you have ample freedom to set your own pace. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you cover that longest stretch of 78.2 miles on I-74, ensuring you have enough to reach your destination comfortably. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your time upon arrival in Bloomington.
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 66.5 miles from Patton, IL, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.2 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 29 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.5 miles or 1h 39m 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 25m
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 Patton, 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 Patton, IL
This is one driving day of about 132.9 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Patton, 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 I 74 for about 78.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66.5 mi from Patton, IL
· 1h 39m into the drive
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.9
0
$13.95
$6.38
Efficient EV
33.2
0
$11.63
$5.32
EV Truck/SUV
53.2
0
$18.61
$8.51
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (65% 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
Patton, IL
Morning
in Patton on Saturday
Local time
6:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bloomington, IL
Morning
in Bloomington on Saturday
Local time
6:55 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
24 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
2h 56m 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 Patton, IL to Bloomington, IL covers 132.9 miles and takes about 2h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 74, Georgetown Road, East Terre Haute Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 66.5 miles from Patton, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.73 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 straightforward 2h 56m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (74th Place): Navigation decision point; at 15.5 miles (US 150; IL 1 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 50.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Patton, IL to Bloomington, IL 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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
