This 57.1-mile journey from Sullivan to Bloomington, Indiana, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. It's an ideal one-day trip, so you don't need to worry about overnight accommodations. With a fuel cost estimated at $9, it’s an economical choice for exploring the Midwest. The route is primarily highway-focused, making it efficient for getting from point A to point B. You'll spend most of your time on SR 54 and SR 45, with a brief section on South Section Street as you arrive in Bloomington.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
28.6 miles from Sullivan, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 44m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 30m. Total distance: 57.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Expect a highway-focused experience for 94% of this drive, meaning you'll be on well-maintained roads designed for steady progress. The longest continuous stretch without needing to turn is a significant 39.5 miles on SR 54, offering a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. While largely highway, the transition to South Section Street in Bloomington will likely bring a change in pace as you enter a more urban setting. This route prioritizes efficient travel over winding scenic byways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
SR 54 is the longest continuous segment at about 39.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on SR 54 and SR 45. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Washington Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 30m 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: near the start (East Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (South Section Street): Navigation decision point; at 56.5 miles (East 3rd Street): Navigation decision point.
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
0 mi into trip|~0m in|East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|South Section Street
Turn left onto South Section Street
Navigation decision point
5
56.5 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|East 3rd Street
Turn right onto East 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
5
56.9 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|South Indiana Avenue
Turn left onto South Indiana Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
57.1 mi into trip|~1h 30m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
SR 54
39.5 mi
1h 1m
SR 45
13 mi
19m
South Section Street
1.3 mi
2m
SR 445
1.3 mi
2m
West 2nd Street
0.9 mi
1m
East 3rd Street
0.3 mi
<1m
South Walnut Street
0.2 mi
<1m
East Washington Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
SR 54
— 39.5 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sullivan, IN and Bloomington, IN.
1
Start on South State Street
29 ft·6 sec·South State Street
2
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·East Washington Street
3
Turn left onto South Section Street
1.3 mi·2 min·South Section Street
4
Turn left onto SR 54
12 mi·16 min·SR 54
5
Turn straight onto SR 54
28 mi·44 min·SR 54
6
Turn straight onto SR 445
1.3 mi·2 min·SR 445
7
Turn left onto SR 45
13 mi·19 min·SR 45
8
Continue on West 2nd Street
0.9 mi·1 min·West 2nd Street
9
Turn left onto South Walnut Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·South Walnut Street
10
Turn right onto East 3rd Street
0.3 mi·32 sec·East 3rd Street
11
Turn right onto South Dunn Street
256 ft·4 sec·South Dunn Street
12
Continue on East Atwater Avenue
401 ft·14 sec·East Atwater Avenue
13
Turn left onto South Indiana Avenue
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Indiana Avenue
14
Turn right
99 ft·7 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour 30 minute duration, this trip offers great flexibility. You can leave whenever it suits you best, whether that's a morning departure or an afternoon drive. Plan for one brief stop if needed, perhaps for a quick stretch or to grab a snack, as the drive is not overly long. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before you embark, though the estimated $9 fuel cost suggests it's not a major concern. A good tip for this route is to be mindful of the transition as you enter Bloomington; the road changes from highway to local streets, so pay attention to signage as you approach your final destination.
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 28.6 miles from Sullivan, IN, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.5 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 13 miles or 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 28.6 miles or 44m 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 Bloomington, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sullivan, IN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Sullivan, IN
This is one driving day of about 57.1 miles and 1h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 13 miles from Sullivan, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on SR 54 for about 39.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 28.6 mi from Sullivan, IN
· 44m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The British flag would not be raised above Fort Sackville Feb. 25, 1779. At 10 A.M., the garrison surrendered to American Colonel George Rogers Clark. His American army, aided by French residents of t...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 2.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.93 one way
$17.85 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg20 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$9.80
$19.60
premium
$4.89
$10.99
$21.98
diesel
$5.61
$12.61
$25.21
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
17.1
0
$6.00
$2.74
Efficient EV
14.3
0
$5.00
$2.28
EV Truck/SUV
22.8
0
$7.99
$3.65
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 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 15, 2026
Origin
Sullivan, IN
Morning
in Sullivan on Saturday
Local time
6:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bloomington, IN
Morning
in Bloomington on Saturday
Local time
6:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Newark, IN
29 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
21 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 30m 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 Sullivan, IN to Bloomington, IN covers 57.1 miles and takes about 1h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are SR 54, SR 45, South Section 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 28.6 miles from Sullivan, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.93 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 30m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (South Section Street): Navigation decision point; at 56.5 miles (East 3rd Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Sullivan, IN to Bloomington, IN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include George Rogers Clark National Historical Park.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
