Origin
Richmond, IL
Evening in Richmond on Friday
Local time
6:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Richmond, IL to Bloomington, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 26m
Distance
176.3 mi
284 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 14m
★
6 AM
3h 27m
8 AM
3h 51m
10 AM
3h 35m
12 PM
3h 33m
3 PM
3h 36m
5 PM
3h 50m
8 PM
3h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Richmond, IL
Kelly
Trip Overview
The drive from Richmond, IL to Bloomington, IL covers 176.3 miles and takes about 3h 26m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 39, Kenosha Street, West Brink Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 122.4 miles on I 39. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.56 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
88.1 miles from Richmond, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 48m into the drive .
About the Cities
Arriving in Bloomington, IL
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 26m. Total distance: 176.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 26m highway drive covering 176.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 39 and Kenosha Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 122.4 miles on I 39.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 39 is the longest continuous segment at about 122.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 39 and Kenosha Street. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 12 / Main Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 176.3 miles you will encounter 12 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 (US 12 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (IL 173 / Kenosha Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 46.5 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 12 / Main Street
Turn right onto US 12 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IL 173 / Kenosha Street
Turn left onto IL 173 / Kenosha Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
46.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
|
I 39; US 51
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; US 51 toward I 39, US 51 South: Bloomington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 39, US 51 South: Bloomington
6
168.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 15m in
|
US 51
Keep slight right at fork onto US 51 toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champai...
8
173.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 20m in
Take the exit toward US 150, IL 9: Pekin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 160
Toward US 150, IL 9: Pekin
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 39 | 122.4 mi | 2h 11m |
| Kenosha Street | 17.3 mi | 24m |
| West Brink Street | 12.4 mi | 17m |
| Jane Addams Memorial Tollway | 8.3 mi | 8m |
| State Route 173 | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| US 51 | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| West Market Street | 2 mi | 5m |
| West Lane Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 39
— 122.4 mi, about 2h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond, IL and Bloomington, IL.
1
Start on Broadway Street
46 ft
·
4 sec
·
Broadway Street
2
Turn right onto US 12
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
Main Street
3
Turn left onto IL 173
17 mi
·
24 min
·
Kenosha Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto US 14; IL 173
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
North Division Street
5
Turn right onto IL 173
12 mi
·
17 min
·
West Brink Street
6
Continue on IL 173
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
State Route 173
7
Continue on IL 173
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West Lane Road
8
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
9
Merge onto I 39; I 90; US 51
8.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; US 51
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
I 39; US 51
Toward I 39, US 51 South: Bloomington
11
Continue on I 39; US 20; US 51
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 39; US 20; US 51
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; US 51
119 mi
·
2 hr 8 min
·
I 39; US 51
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 51
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
US 51
Toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 160
Toward US 150, IL 9: Pekin
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto US 150; IL 9
2.0 mi
·
5 min
·
West Market Street
Use the left lane.
16
At end of road, turn left onto US 51 Business
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
North East Street
17
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 88.1 miles from Richmond, IL, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122.4 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 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.1 miles or 1h 48m 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 49m
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 Richmond, 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 Richmond, IL
This is one driving day of about 176.3 miles and 3h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Richmond, 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 39 for about 122.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 88.1 mi from Richmond, IL · 1h 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
88 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 88.1 miles from Richmond, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 39 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 122.4 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.56 one way
$55.12 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.26 | $60.53 |
| premium | $4.89 | $33.93 | $67.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.92 | $77.85 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.58
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(8.3 mi)
$0.58
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.9 | 0 | $18.51 | $8.46 |
| Efficient EV | 44.1 | 0 | $15.43 | $7.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.5 | 0 | $24.68 | $11.28 |
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.
Destination
Bloomington, IL
Evening in Bloomington on Friday
Local time
6:13 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
17 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
3h 26m 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 Richmond, IL to Bloomington, IL covers 176.3 miles and takes about 3h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 39, Kenosha Street, West Brink Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 88.1 miles from Richmond, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.56 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 176.3 miles you will encounter 12 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 (US 12 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (IL 173 / Kenosha Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 46.5 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Richmond, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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