The drive from Woodlawn, IL to Bloomington, IL covers 133.9 miles and takes about 2h 44m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 55, I 80, I 57 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 82.3 miles on I 55.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.93 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
67 miles from Woodlawn, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 25m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 44m. Total distance: 133.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 44m highway drive covering 133.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and I 80. The longest continuous stretch is about 82.3 miles on I 55.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 82.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near East 65th Street.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 133.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (East 65th Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.5 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|East 65th Street
At end of road, turn right onto East 65th Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
2.6 mi into trip|~6m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
5.5 mi into trip|~10m in|I 57
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 63
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
7
18.9 mi into trip|~28m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Iowa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 345B
Toward I 80 West: Iowa
8
127.2 mi into trip|~2h 30m 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...
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
82.3 mi
1h 28m
I 80
25.3 mi
30m
I 57
13.4 mi
18m
I 55 Business
3.1 mi
5m
Dan Ryan Expressway
2.7 mi
3m
East Empire Street
1.6 mi
3m
East 71st Street
1.1 mi
2m
North Veterans Parkway
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 82.3 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Woodlawn, IL and Bloomington, IL.
1
Start on South Greenwood Avenue
0.2 mi·46 sec·South Greenwood Avenue
2
At end of road, turn right onto East 65th Street
132 ft·13 sec·East 65th Street
3
Turn left onto South Greenwood Avenue
0.1 mi·33 sec·South Greenwood Avenue
4
Turn right onto East Marquette Road
0.3 mi·54 sec·East Marquette Road
5
Turn left onto South Cottage Grove Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·South Cottage Grove Avenue
6
Turn right onto East 71st Street
1.1 mi·2 min·East 71st Street
7
Turn left onto South Lafayette Avenue
208 ft·6 sec·South Lafayette Avenue
Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 94 East
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 94
2.7 mi·3 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
13 mi·18 min·I 57
Exit 63Toward I 57 South: MemphisUse the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·45 sec
Exit 345BToward I 80 West: IowaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 80
25 mi·30 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 126AToward I 55 South: Saint Louis
15
Merge onto I 55
82 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 55
Use the right lane.
16
Take the exit onto I 55 Business
3.1 mi·5 min·I 55 Business
Exit 167Toward I 55 Business South: Veterans Parkway, Central Illinois Regional AirportUse the slight right lane.
17
Continue on I 55 Business
0.9 mi·1 min·North Veterans Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi·22 sec
Toward IL 9 West: PekinUse the right lane.
19
Turn straight onto IL 9
1.6 mi·3 min·East Empire Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto US 150
0.3 mi·50 sec·North Clinton Street
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto East Mulberry Street
0.3 mi·59 sec·East Mulberry Street
22
Turn left onto North Prairie Street
275 ft·14 sec·North Prairie Street
23
Turn right onto East Douglas Street
504 ft·23 sec·East Douglas Street
24
Turn right onto US 51 Business
0.1 mi·15 sec·North East Street
25
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67 miles from Woodlawn, IL, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.3 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 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67 miles or 1h 25m 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 11m
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 Woodlawn, 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 Woodlawn, IL
This is one driving day of about 133.9 miles and 2h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Woodlawn, 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 55 for about 82.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 67 mi from Woodlawn, IL
· 1h 25m into the drive
The midpoint is around 67 miles from Woodlawn, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.3 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.93 one way
$41.87 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$22.98
$45.97
premium
$4.89
$25.77
$51.54
diesel
$5.61
$29.56
$59.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.2
0
$14.06
$6.43
Efficient EV
33.5
0
$11.72
$5.36
EV Truck/SUV
53.6
0
$18.75
$8.57
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Forecast as of Apr 10, 2026
Origin
Woodlawn, IL
Late night
in Woodlawn on Friday
Local time
2:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bloomington, IL
Late night
in Bloomington on Friday
Local time
2:49 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 44m 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 Woodlawn, IL to Bloomington, IL covers 133.9 miles and takes about 2h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, I 80, I 57. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 67 miles from Woodlawn, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.93 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.
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 demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 133.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (East 65th Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.5 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Woodlawn, IL to Bloomington, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
