How far is Bloomington, IL from Salem, IL?
The driving distance from Bloomington, IL to Salem, IL is about 145.2 miles (233.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 128.4 miles (206.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 12m 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 06m.
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.
City in Christian County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bloomington and Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington and Salem.
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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
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
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7
Continue on South Main Street
16.5 mi · 21 min · South Main Street
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8
Continue on North Walnut Street
23.2 mi · 30 min · North Walnut Street
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9
Turn straight
9.9 mi · 15 min
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10
Take the ramp straight toward South Business Route 51
19.6 mi · 24 min · South Business Route 51
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11
Continue on North 2600 East Rd
7.9 mi · 9 min · North 2600 East Rd
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12
Turn right onto North 2600 East Road
1.6 km · 2 min · North 2600 East Road
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13
Continue on Jackson Street
2668 ft · 2 min · Jackson Street
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14
Turn left onto Cedar Street
142 m · 8 sec · Cedar Street
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15
Turn right onto East 1st Street
2150 ft · 1 min · East 1st Street
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16
Turn left onto South Poplar Street
2138 ft · 30 sec · South Poplar Street
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17
Turn straight onto Fair Avenue
3070 ft · 2 min · Fair Avenue
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18
Continue on County Road 2400 E
2 mi · 3 min · County Road 2400 E
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19
Continue on 300 East Road
15.1 mi · 17 min · 300 East Road
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20
Continue on County Road 875 East
11.1 mi · 13 min · County Road 875 East
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21
Continue on North Kennedy Boulevard
1.5 mi · 2 min · North Kennedy Boulevard
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22
Turn left onto West Gallatin Street
2405 ft · 34 sec · West Gallatin Street
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23
Turn right
554 ft · 7 sec
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24
Continue on United States Highway 51
13.4 mi · 15 min · United States Highway 51
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25
Continue on 250E
10.4 mi · 12 min · 250E
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26
Turn left
9.2 mi · 12 min
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27
Turn right onto South Broadway
10 m · 1 sec · South Broadway
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bloomington and Salem.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
North Walnut Street
Continue on North Walnut Street
23.2 mi · 00h 30m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Bloomington and Partly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms near Salem.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bloomington to Salem?
The road trip is about 145.2 miles (233.6 km) and usually takes 03h 06m 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?
Assumption is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.6 miles from Bloomington and 72.5 miles from Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 128.4 miles (206.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.8 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 10:48 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.31 one way or $38.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Bloomington and Partly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms near Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Assumption
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 Assumption.
Mattoon station
Springfield station
Effingham
Lincoln
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bloomington and Salem. Straight-line distance: 128.34 mi (206.55 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 Salem
City in Illinois
| Population | 6,952 |
| Coordinates | 38.6269900, -88.9456200 |
| Altitude | 165 |
| Country | United States |
End: Salem (-88.94562, 38.62699)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 234 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $19.31 | $38.62 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $21.78 | $43.55 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $23.83 | $47.66 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $27.16 | $54.31 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.