How far is Bloomington, IL from Lake Bluff, IL?
The driving distance from Bloomington, IL to Lake Bluff, IL is about 159.1 miles (256 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 137.8 miles (221.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 26m 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 13m.
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.
Town in Will County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bloomington and Lake Bluff.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington and Lake Bluff.
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1
Start on North East Street
42 m · 6 sec · North East Street
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2
Continue on North Main Street
3.6 mi · 9 min · North Main Street
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3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North: Chicago
2654 ft · 1 min
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4
Merge slight left
111.5 mi · 2 hr 4 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
32.5 mi · 40 min · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward IL 176: Rockland Road
1301 ft · 32 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Rockland Road
2.9 mi · 6 min · Rockland Road
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11
Continue on Scranton Avenue
2362 ft · 56 sec · Scranton Avenue
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12
Keep slight left to continue on West Scranton Avenue
127 m · 12 sec · West Scranton Avenue
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13
Continue on East Center Avenue
2977 ft · 2 min · East Center Avenue
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14
Continue on East Center Avenue
87 m · 13 sec · East Center Avenue
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Center Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bloomington and Lake Bluff.
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 55 North
Merge slight left
112 mi · 02h 04m
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny leaving Bloomington and Sunny near Lake Bluff.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bloomington to Lake Bluff?
The road trip is about 159.1 miles (256 km) and usually takes 03h 13m 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?
Wilmington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.5 miles from Bloomington and 79.5 miles from Lake Bluff.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 137.8 miles (221.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.3 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 10:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.16 one way or $42.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny around Bloomington and Sunny near Lake Bluff.
Stop Ideas Near Wilmington
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 Wilmington.
Joliet Transportation Center
Kankakee
Dwight station
Homewood
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bloomington and Lake Bluff. Straight-line distance: 137.8 mi (221.77 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 Lake Bluff
Village in Illinois
| Population | 5,524 |
| Coordinates | 42.2789100, -87.8342400 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Bluff (-87.83424, 42.27891)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 256 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.16 | $42.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.86 | $47.72 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.11 | $52.22 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.76 | $59.51 |
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.