How far is Bloomington, IL from Carbondale, IL?
The driving distance from Bloomington, IL to Carbondale, IL is about 221.1 miles (355.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 190.9 miles (307.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 06m 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 04h 33m.
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 Fayette County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bloomington and Carbondale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington and Carbondale.
-
1
Start on North East Street
42 m · 6 sec · North East Street
-
2
Continue on North Main Street
121 m · 17 sec · North Main Street
-
3
Turn left onto West Chestnut Street
83 m · 19 sec · West Chestnut Street
-
4
Turn left onto North Center Street
120 m · 13 sec · North Center Street
-
5
Continue on North Madison Street
2444 ft · 1 min · North Madison Street
-
6
Continue on South Center Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · South Center Street
-
7
Continue on South Main Street
16.5 mi · 21 min · South Main Street
-
8
Continue on North Walnut Street
23.2 mi · 30 min · North Walnut Street
-
9
Turn straight
9.9 mi · 15 min
-
10
Take the ramp straight toward South Business Route 51
19.6 mi · 24 min · South Business Route 51
-
11
Continue on North 2600 East Rd
7.9 mi · 9 min · North 2600 East Rd
-
12
Turn right onto North 2600 East Road
1.6 km · 2 min · North 2600 East Road
-
13
Continue on Jackson Street
2668 ft · 2 min · Jackson Street
-
14
Turn left onto Cedar Street
142 m · 10 sec · Cedar Street
-
15
Turn right onto East 1st Street
2150 ft · 1 min · East 1st Street
-
16
Turn left onto South Poplar Street
2138 ft · 32 sec · South Poplar Street
-
17
Turn straight onto Fair Avenue
3070 ft · 2 min · Fair Avenue
-
18
Continue on County Road 2400 E
2 mi · 3 min · County Road 2400 E
-
19
Continue on 300 East Road
15.1 mi · 17 min · 300 East Road
-
20
Continue on County Road 875 East
11.1 mi · 13 min · County Road 875 East
-
21
Continue on North Kennedy Boulevard
1.5 mi · 2 min · North Kennedy Boulevard
-
22
Turn left onto West Gallatin Street
2405 ft · 36 sec · West Gallatin Street
-
23
Turn right
554 ft · 7 sec
-
24
Continue on United States Highway 51
13.4 mi · 15 min · United States Highway 51
-
25
Continue on 250E
10.4 mi · 12 min · 250E
-
26
Turn left
7.6 mi · 9 min
-
27
Take the exit left
1847 ft · 45 sec
-
28
Merge slight left
24.5 mi · 27 min
-
29
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
37.4 mi · 40 min · Ken Gray Expressway
-
30
Take the exit slight right toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
1758 ft · 43 sec
-
31
Keep slight left to continue on IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
2421 ft · 59 sec
-
32
Keep slight right to continue on IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
913 ft · 22 sec
-
33
Merge slight left onto West Deyoung Street
3.4 mi · 4 min · West Deyoung Street
-
34
Continue on IL-13
11 mi · 17 min · IL-13
-
35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bloomington and Carbondale.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Ken Gray Expressway
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
37.4 mi · 00h 40m
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.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers leaving Bloomington and Partly Sunny near Carbondale.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bloomington to Carbondale?
The road trip is about 221.1 miles (355.9 km) and usually takes 04h 33m 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?
Vandalia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 110.7 miles from Bloomington and 110.5 miles from Carbondale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 190.9 miles (307.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.2 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 7:54 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.41 one way or $58.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers around Bloomington and Partly Sunny near Carbondale.
Stop Ideas Near Vandalia
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 Vandalia.
Centralia station
Effingham
Mt. Vernon, IL
Carlinville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bloomington and Carbondale. Straight-line distance: 190.86 mi (307.16 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 Carbondale
City in Illinois, USA
| Population | 25,036 |
| Coordinates | 37.7272700, -89.2167500 |
| Altitude | 126 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carbondale (-89.21675, 37.72727)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 356 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.41 | $58.83 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.17 | $66.35 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $36.30 | $72.60 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $41.37 | $82.74 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.