How far is Bloomington, IL from Channel Lake, IL?

The driving distance from Bloomington, IL to Channel Lake, IL is about 172.4 miles (277.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 144.8 miles (233 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
172.39 mi
03h 32m
Flight
144.75 mi
232.95 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bloomington.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
144.75 mi
Kilometers
232.95 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
172.39 mi
Kilometers
277.44 km
Drive Time
03h 32m

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 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Channel Lake
Sun, Apr 19, 8:45 PM CDT
Return by in Bloomington
Mon, Apr 20, 12:17 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bloomington
2026-04-19T17:13
Arrive Channel Lake
Sun, Apr 19, 8:45 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:32 AM to 11:32 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:56 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bloomington
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Channahon
IL

City in Illinois, United States of America

From Bloomington
86.2 mi
01h 46m
To Channel Lake
86.2 mi
01h 46m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
54°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 to 18 mph WNW
Destination
48°F
Sunday

Widespread Frost then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Bloomington and Channel Lake.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington and Channel Lake.

  1. 1

    Start on North East Street

    42 m · 6 sec · North East Street

  2. 2

    Continue on North Main Street

    3.6 mi · 9 min · North Main Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North: Chicago

    2654 ft · 1 min

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    103.2 mi · 1 hr 53 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs

    2797 ft · 1 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 355 North: Northwest Suburbs

    1.2 mi · 3 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway

    19.2 mi · 24 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    5.6 mi · 7 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    8.9 mi · 12 min

  10. 10

    Continue on Lake Cook Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · Lake Cook Road

  11. 11

    Continue on North Rand Road

    14.3 mi · 19 min · North Rand Road

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    1.9 mi · 2 min

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    2.3 mi · 3 min

  14. 14

    Turn slight right

    2.7 mi · 4 min

  15. 15

    Continue on Fox Lake Road

    5.9 mi · 10 min · Fox Lake Road

  16. 16

    Turn left onto West IL Route 173

    1.8 mi · 3 min · West IL Route 173

  17. 17

    Turn right

    23 m · 6 sec

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Bloomington and Channel Lake.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
3 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
104 mi · 60%
Veterans Memorial Tollway
33.7 mi · 20%
North Rand Road
18.5 mi · 11%
Fox Lake Road
5.91 mi · 3%
North Main Street
3.57 mi · 2%
West IL Route 173
1.79 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 55 North

Merge slight left

103 mi · 01h 53m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 32m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.6 mi
144.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Channahon
01h 46m from Bloomington
Leave By
9:56 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Bloomington and Widespread Frost then Chance Rain Showers near Channel Lake.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bloomington to Channel Lake?

The road trip is about 172.4 miles (277.4 km) and usually takes 03h 32m 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?

Channahon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.2 miles from Bloomington and 86.2 miles from Channel Lake.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 144.8 miles (233 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.6 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 9:56 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.93 one way or $45.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bloomington and Widespread Frost then Chance Rain Showers near Channel Lake.

Stop Ideas Near Channahon

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Channahon, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Channahon.

RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

16 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street
RAIL

Plano

37 mi away
101 West Main Street
RAIL

Naperville

40 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

Dwight station

41 mi away
119 West Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bloomington and Channel Lake. Straight-line distance: 144.75 mi (232.95 km).

Bloomington

#1 Bloomington

The second most populous city in McLean County, Illinois.

Population77,132
Coordinates40.4842000, -88.9936900
Altitude243
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Channel Lake

City in Illinois, United States of America

Population1,664
Coordinates42.4786300, -88.1375900
Altitude227
CountryUnited States
Start: Bloomington (-88.99369, 40.4842)
End: Channel Lake (-88.13759, 42.47863)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 277 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.08 gal
23.03 L · about $22.93
Round trip
$45.86
12.16 gal · 46.06 L
Estimated CO2
54 kg one way
Round trip: 108.1 kg / 238 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.93 $45.86
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.86 $51.72
Premium $4.65 $28.30 $56.59
Diesel $5.30 $32.25 $64.50

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Bloomington and Channel Lake. The current time is 17:13:30.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.