How far is Bloomington, IL from Sterling, IL?
The driving distance from Bloomington, IL to Sterling, IL is about 119.1 miles (191.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 97.2 miles (156.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 30m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in LaSalle 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 Sterling.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington and Sterling.
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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
3.8 mi · 9 min · North Main Street
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3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
2316 ft · 59 sec
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4
Keep slight right to continue on I 39 North, US 51 North: Rockford
2374 ft · 41 sec
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5
Continue straight
71.4 mi · 1 hr 17 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 34: Mendota, Earlville
1790 ft · 49 sec
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7
Turn left onto North 43rd Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · North 43rd Road
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8
Continue on East 12th Street
2607 ft · 52 sec · East 12th Street
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9
Turn sharp right onto 4th Avenue
114 m · 16 sec · 4th Avenue
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10
At the end of the road, turn left onto Lincoln Avenue
76 m · 7 sec · Lincoln Avenue
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11
Continue on 12th Street
1016 ft · 28 sec · 12th Street
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12
Continue on Meriden Street
2622 ft · 59 sec · Meriden Street
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13
Turn right onto 13th Avenue
2324 ft · 41 sec · 13th Avenue
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14
Turn left
17.9 mi · 27 min
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15
Turn left
18.8 mi · 26 min
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16
Turn right onto 1st Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · 1st Avenue
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17
Turn left onto East 4th Street
125 m · 14 sec · East 4th Street
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18
Turn left onto Locust Street
32 m · 2 sec · Locust Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Locust Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bloomington and Sterling.
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 39 North
Continue straight
71.4 mi · 01h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny leaving Bloomington and Sunny near Sterling.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bloomington to Sterling?
The road trip is about 119.1 miles (191.6 km) and usually takes 02h 30m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
La Salle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 59.5 miles from Bloomington and 59.5 miles from Sterling.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 97.2 miles (156.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:28 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.84 one way or $31.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.3 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 Sterling.
Stop Ideas Near La Salle
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 La Salle.
Mendota station
Princeton
Plano
Dwight station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bloomington and Sterling. Straight-line distance: 97.26 mi (156.52 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 Sterling
City in Whiteside County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 14,313 |
| Coordinates | 41.7886400, -89.6962200 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sterling (-89.69622, 41.78864)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 192 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $15.84 | $31.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $17.86 | $35.73 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $19.55 | $39.09 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $22.28 | $44.55 |
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.