How far is Bloomington, IL from Empire, IL?
The driving distance from Bloomington, IL to Empire, IL is about 22 miles (35.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 19.4 miles (31.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 27m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Village in Illinois, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bloomington and Empire.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington and Empire.
-
1
Start on North East Street
42 m · 6 sec · North East Street
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2
Continue on North Main Street
121 m · 17 sec · North Main Street
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3
Turn left onto West Chestnut Street
83 m · 19 sec · West Chestnut Street
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4
Turn left onto North Center Street
120 m · 13 sec · North Center Street
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5
Continue on North Madison Street
2444 ft · 1 min · North Madison Street
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6
Continue on South Center Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · South Center Street
-
7
Continue on South Main Street
1.8 mi · 4 min · South Main Street
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 74 East: Champaign
2075 ft · 1 min
-
9
Merge slight left
16.1 mi · 17 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 136: Rantoul, Heyworth
1508 ft · 31 sec
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11
Turn left onto East 200 North Road
2295 ft · 37 sec · East 200 North Road
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12
Turn right onto East 150 North Road
1.1 mi · 4 min · East 150 North Road
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 150 North Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bloomington and Empire.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
I 74 East
Merge slight left
16.1 mi · 00h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Bloomington and Mostly Sunny near Empire.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bloomington to Empire?
The road trip is about 22 miles (35.4 km) and usually takes 00h 27m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Downs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11 miles from Bloomington and 11 miles from Empire.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 19.4 miles (31.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:36 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.90 one way or $5.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bloomington and Mostly Sunny near Empire.
Stop Ideas Near Downs
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Town of Normal
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Downs.
Uptown Station
Lincoln
Pontiac station
Rantoul
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bloomington and Empire. Straight-line distance: 19.47 mi (31.33 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 Empire
Township in McLean County, Illinois
| Population | 4,024 |
| Coordinates | 40.3055900, -88.7075700 |
| Altitude | 231 |
| Country | United States |
End: East 150 North Road (-88.707579, 40.304061)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 35 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.90 | $5.81 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.27 | $6.55 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.58 | $7.17 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $4.08 | $8.17 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.