How far is Bloomington, IL from Alden, IL?
The driving distance from Bloomington, IL to Alden, IL is about 161.4 miles (259.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.6 miles (223.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 08m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in LaSalle County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bloomington and Alden.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington and Alden.
-
1
Start on North East Street
42 m · 6 sec · North East Street
-
2
Continue on North Main Street
3.8 mi · 9 min · North Main Street
-
3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
2316 ft · 59 sec
-
4
Keep slight right to continue on I 39 North, US 51 North: Rockford
2374 ft · 41 sec
-
5
Continue straight
119.3 mi · 2 hr 8 min
-
6
Merge slight left
2.2 mi · 3 min
-
7
Continue straight
1.7 mi · 2 min
-
8
Merge slight right onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
7.3 mi · 8 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward IL 173: West Lane Road
1748 ft · 43 sec
-
10
Turn right onto West Lane Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Lane Road
-
11
Continue on State Route 173
5.6 mi · 8 min · State Route 173
-
12
Continue on West Grove Street
12.4 mi · 18 min · West Grove Street
-
13
Turn left onto South Division Street
2662 ft · 49 sec · South Division Street
-
14
Turn right onto East Diggins Street
6.1 mi · 9 min · East Diggins Street
-
15
Turn right onto Alden Road
3 m · 1 sec · Alden Road
-
16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Alden Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bloomington and Alden.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 39 North
Continue straight
119 mi · 02h 08m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Bloomington and Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Alden.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bloomington to Alden?
The road trip is about 161.4 miles (259.8 km) and usually takes 03h 08m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Meriden is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.8 miles from Bloomington and 80.7 miles from Alden.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 138.6 miles (223.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:42 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.49 one way or $42.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Bloomington and Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Alden.
Stop Ideas Near Meriden
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Meriden.
Mendota station
Princeton
Plano
Dwight station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bloomington and Alden. Straight-line distance: 138.65 mi (223.13 km).
#1 Bloomington
The second most populous city in McLean County, Illinois.
| Population | 77,132 |
| Coordinates | 40.4842000, -88.9936900 |
| Altitude | 243 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Alden
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 1,344 |
| Coordinates | 42.4589100, -88.5178800 |
| Altitude | 306 |
| Country | United States |
End: Alden (-88.51788, 42.45891)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 260 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.49 | $42.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.24 | $48.48 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.53 | $53.06 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $30.23 | $60.47 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Illinois · Apr 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.