Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Summit, IL to Bloomington, IL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 25m

Distance

122.2 mi

197 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 16m ★
6 AM
2h 26m
8 AM
2h 46m
10 AM
2h 33m
12 PM
2h 31m
3 PM
2h 34m
5 PM
2h 45m
8 PM
2h 20m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Summit, IL, IL

Summit, IL

Rodrigo Contreras Elvira

Trip Overview

The drive from Summit, IL to Bloomington, IL covers 122.2 miles and takes about 2h 25m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I 55 Business, East Empire Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 113.9 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.10 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.

Midpoint

61.1 miles from Summit, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 25m. Total distance: 122.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 25m highway drive covering 122.2 miles, with most of the trip on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 55 Business. The longest continuous stretch is about 113.9 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.

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.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 113.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 55 Business. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near IL 171 / 1st Avenue.

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 122.2 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: at 0.2 miles (IL 171 / 1st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 115.5 miles (I 55 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | IL 171 / 1st Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto IL 171 / 1st Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
0.9 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the ramp toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
8
115.5 mi into trip | ~2h 11m in | I 55 Business

Take the exit onto I 55 Business toward I 55 Business South: Veterans Parkway, Central Illinois Regional Airport

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 167 Toward I 55 Business South: Veterans Parkway, C...
6
119.6 mi into trip | ~2h 18m in

Take the exit toward IL 9 West: Pekin

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward IL 9 West: Pekin
6
121.3 mi into trip | ~2h 23m in | US 150 / North Clinton Street

Turn left onto US 150 / North Clinton Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Summit, IL to Bloomington, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Illinois Regional Airport along the way.

Illinois Regional Airport

115.5 mi in | ~2h 11m | via I 55 Business

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Adlai Stevenson Expressway 113.9 mi 2h 8m
I 55 Business 3.1 mi 5m
East Empire Street 1.6 mi 3m
North Veterans Parkway 0.9 mi 1m
1st Avenue 0.7 mi 1m
East Mulberry Street 0.3 mi <1m
North Clinton Street 0.3 mi <1m
South Archer Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Adlai Stevenson Expressway — 113.9 mi, about 2h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Summit, IL and Bloomington, IL.

1

Start on IL 171

0.2 mi · 31 sec · South Archer Avenue
2

At end of road, turn left onto IL 171

0.7 mi · 1 min · 1st Avenue
Use the left lane.
3

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the right lane.
4

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 33 sec
Toward IL 171 South: 1st Avenue
5

Merge onto I 55

114 mi · 2 hr 8 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit onto I 55 Business

3.1 mi · 5 min · I 55 Business
Exit 167 Toward I 55 Business South: Veterans Parkway, Central Illinois Regional Airport Use the slight right lane.
7

Continue on I 55 Business

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Veterans Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 22 sec
Toward IL 9 West: Pekin Use the right lane.
9

Turn straight onto IL 9

1.6 mi · 3 min · East Empire Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
10

Turn left onto US 150

0.3 mi · 50 sec · North Clinton Street
Use the left lane.
11

Turn right onto East Mulberry Street

0.3 mi · 59 sec · East Mulberry Street
12

Turn left onto North Prairie Street

275 ft · 14 sec · North Prairie Street
13

Turn right onto East Douglas Street

504 ft · 23 sec · East Douglas Street
14

Turn right onto US 51 Business

0.1 mi · 15 sec · North East Street
15

Arrive at destination

US 51 Business

Trip Plan

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 61.1 miles from Summit, IL, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.9 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 27 miles or 31m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 61.1 miles or 1h 10m 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 54m

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 Summit, 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 Summit, IL

This is one driving day of about 122.2 miles and 2h 25m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Summit, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Adlai Stevenson Expressway for about 113.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 61.1 mi from Summit, IL · 1h 10m into the drive

Downtown Gardner, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Gardner, IL

61 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

Joliet, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Gardner, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 61.1 miles from Summit, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.9 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.

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Pullman National Historical Park

Pullman National Historical Park

National Historical Park

In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...

12 mi from route ~31 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.10 one way

$38.21 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 43 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $20.98 $41.95
premium $4.89 $23.52 $47.03
diesel $5.61 $26.98 $53.96

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 42.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 36.7 0 $12.83 $5.87
Efficient EV 30.6 0 $10.69 $4.89
EV Truck/SUV 48.9 0 $17.11 $7.82

Gas CO2

43 kg

EV CO2

14 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 as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Summit, IL

Evening in Summit on Thursday

Local time

6:54 PM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bloomington, IL

Evening in Bloomington on Thursday

Local time

6:54 PM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

74°F

Gardner, IL

61 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

15 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 25m 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 Summit, IL to Bloomington, IL covers 122.2 miles and takes about 2h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I 55 Business, East Empire 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 61.1 miles from Summit, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.10 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 122.2 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: at 0.2 miles (IL 171 / 1st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 115.5 miles (I 55 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Summit, IL to Bloomington, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Illinois Regional Airport along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Bloomington, IL to Summit, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

121.9 mi 2h 23m

Continue From Bloomington, IL

Makanda, IL 231.3 mi · 4h 49m Carbondale, IL 221.1 mi · 4h 33m Crestwood, IL 220.8 mi · 4h 34m Sleepy Hollow, IL 219.6 mi · 4h 30m

More from Summit, IL

Bremen, IL 335.7 mi · 6h 34m Elgin, IL 34.6 mi · 56m Lockport, IL 24.6 mi · 34m Evanston, IL 23.3 mi · 41m Des Plaines, IL 18.7 mi · 38m

More trips to Bloomington, IL

Makanda, IL 231.6 mi Crestwood, IL 220.7 mi Sleepy Hollow, IL 219.5 mi Crainville, IL 213.7 mi Guilford, IL 206 mi Johnston City, IL 203.1 mi
Weekend drives from Summit, IL Scenic drives in IL

Explore more options from Summit, IL or browse trips ending in Bloomington, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Explore maps for Summit, IL or Bloomington, IL on MapSof.net.