How far is Bloomington, IL from North Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Bloomington, IL to North Chicago, IL is about 161.4 miles (259.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 140.6 miles (226.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 27m 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.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bloomington and North Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington and North Chicago.
-
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
-
3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North: Chicago
2654 ft · 1 min
-
4
Merge slight left
111.5 mi · 2 hr 4 min
-
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
34.4 mi · 42 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward IL 137: Buckley Road
1522 ft · 39 sec
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10
Turn straight onto Buckley Road
2.9 mi · 5 min · Buckley Road
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11
Turn left onto Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
1.4 km · 60 sec · Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
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12
Continue on Sheridan Road
2526 ft · 39 sec · Sheridan Road
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13
Turn left onto Broadway
654 ft · 24 sec · Broadway
-
14
Turn right onto Park Avenue
63 m · 10 sec · Park Avenue
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15
Turn right onto Fellows Place
14 m · 2 sec · Fellows Place
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Fellows Place
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bloomington and North Chicago.
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.
Sunny leaving Bloomington and Mostly Sunny near North Chicago.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bloomington to North Chicago?
The road trip is about 161.4 miles (259.8 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 80.7 miles from Bloomington and 80.7 miles from North Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 140.6 miles (226.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.8 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 10:32 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 Sunny around Bloomington and Mostly Sunny near North Chicago.
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 North Chicago. Straight-line distance: 140.55 mi (226.19 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 North Chicago
City and suburb of Chicago, Illinois, USA
| Population | 29,639 |
| Coordinates | 42.3255800, -87.8411800 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Chicago (-87.84118, 42.32558)
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.