Origin
Pleasant Grove, IL
Afternoon in Pleasant Grove on Thursday
Local time
4:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pleasant Grove, IL to Bloomington, IL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 44m
Distance
233 mi
375 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 31m
★
6 AM
4h 45m
8 AM
5h 12m
10 AM
4h 54m
12 PM
4h 52m
3 PM
4h 56m
5 PM
5h 10m
8 PM
4h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pleasant Grove, IL
Ali Soheil
Trip Overview
The drive from Pleasant Grove, IL to Bloomington, IL covers 233 miles and takes about 4h 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Ken Gray Expressway, US 51, North Water Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 70.9 miles on Ken Gray Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.43 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
116.5 miles from Pleasant Grove, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 44m. Total distance: 233 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (50%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
The drive from Pleasant Grove, IL to Bloomington, IL covers 233 miles and takes about 4h 44m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Ken Gray Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 70.9 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 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 68.2 miles in near I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 233 miles you will encounter 15 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: at 68.2 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 88.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.2 miles (US 40; US 51; IL 185 / North Kennedy Boulevard): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
68.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
|
I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
5
88.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
Take the exit toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
4
121.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
|
US 40; US 51; IL 185 / North Kennedy Boulevard
Turn right onto US 40; US 51; IL 185 / North Kennedy Boulevard
Navigation decision point
4
152.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m in
|
US 51; IL 16 / Cedar Street
Turn left onto US 51; IL 16 / Cedar Street
Navigation decision point
5
183.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Decatur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Decatur
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Pleasant Grove, IL and Bloomington, IL, road signs point toward Sandoval and Decatur.
Sandoval
88.6 mi in
|
~1h 42m
Decatur
182.6 mi in
|
~3h 34m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ken Gray Expressway | 70.9 mi | 1h 16m |
| US 51 | 28.7 mi | 33m |
| North Water Street | 27.4 mi | 36m |
| North 1450 East Road | 17.6 mi | 23m |
| South Superior Street | 15.1 mi | 17m |
| IL 37 | 13.6 mi | 19m |
| 300E | 13.5 mi | 15m |
| County Road 875 East | 11.1 mi | 12m |
Longest stretch:
Ken Gray Expressway
— 70.9 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pleasant Grove, IL and Bloomington, IL.
1
Start on Pleasant Grove Road
383 ft
·
18 sec
·
Pleasant Grove Road
2
Turn left onto IL 146
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West Vine Street
3
Turn left onto IL 37
14 mi
·
19 min
·
IL 37
4
Turn straight onto IL 148
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
IL 148
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
6
Merge onto I 57
50 mi
·
54 min
·
Ken Gray Expressway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Ken Gray Expressway
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward US 50: Salem, Sandoval
9
Merge onto US 50
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
10
Continue on US 50
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
East Poplar Street
11
Continue on US 50
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Poplar
12
Turn right onto US 51
10 mi
·
11 min
·
150E
13
Continue on US 51
13 mi
·
15 min
·
300E
14
Turn left onto US 40; US 51; IL 185
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
US 40; US 51; IL 185
15
Turn right onto US 40; US 51; IL 185
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Kennedy Boulevard
16
Continue on US 51
11 mi
·
12 min
·
County Road 875 East
17
Continue on US 51
15 mi
·
17 min
·
South Superior Street
18
Continue on US 51
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road 2400 East
19
Continue on US 51
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Fair Avenue
20
Continue on US 51
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
·
South Poplar Street
21
Turn right onto US 51; IL 16
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East 1st Street
22
Turn left onto US 51; IL 16
382 ft
·
5 sec
·
Cedar Street
23
Turn right onto US 51; IL 16
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Jackson Street
24
Continue on US 51; IL 16
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North 2600 East Road
25
Turn left onto US 51
29 mi
·
33 min
·
US 51
26
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward Decatur
27
Keep slight right at fork
144 ft
·
3 sec
Toward Decatur
28
Turn straight onto US 51 Business
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Business Route 51
29
Continue on US 51 Business
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
South Main Street
30
Continue on US 51 Business
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Franklin Street
31
Continue on US 51 Business
27 mi
·
36 min
·
North Water Street
32
Continue on US 51
18 mi
·
23 min
·
North 1450 East Road
Use the straight lane.
33
Continue on US 51 Business
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South East Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
34
Arrive at destination
US 51 Business
Trip Plan
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 116.5 miles from Pleasant Grove, IL, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.9 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 51 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.5 miles or 2h 14m 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 47m
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 Pleasant Grove, 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 Pleasant Grove, IL
This is one driving day of about 233 miles and 4h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Pleasant Grove, 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 Ken Gray Expressway for about 70.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 116.5 mi from Pleasant Grove, IL · 2h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
117 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 116.5 miles from Pleasant Grove, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Ken Gray Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.9 miles.
Arriving in Bloomington, IL
The final approach into Bloomington, 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 Bloomington, 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
$36.43 one way
$72.85 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
82 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $40.00 | $79.99 |
| premium | $4.89 | $44.84 | $89.68 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $51.44 | $102.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.9 | 0 | $24.46 | $11.18 |
| Efficient EV | 58.3 | 0 | $20.39 | $9.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 93.2 | 1 | $32.62 | $14.91 |
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Destination
Bloomington, IL
Afternoon in Bloomington on Thursday
Local time
4:55 PM
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
2 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
4h 44m 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 Pleasant Grove, IL to Bloomington, IL covers 233 miles and takes about 4h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ken Gray Expressway, US 51, North Water Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 116.5 miles from Pleasant Grove, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.43 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 233 miles you will encounter 15 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: at 68.2 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 88.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.2 miles (US 40; US 51; IL 185 / North Kennedy Boulevard): Navigation decision point.
Between Pleasant Grove, IL and Bloomington, IL, road signs point toward Sandoval and Decatur.
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Return Trip
Bloomington, IL to Pleasant Grove, ILPlan the drive back the other way.
233.1 mi
4h 46m
Continue From Bloomington, IL
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