How far is Bloomington, IN from East Chicago, IN?

The driving distance from Bloomington, IN to East Chicago, IN is about 206.4 miles (332.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 177.8 miles (286.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
206.41 mi
03h 59m
Flight
177.77 mi
286.09 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bloomington.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
177.77 mi
Kilometers
286.09 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
206.41 mi
Kilometers
332.19 km
Drive Time
03h 59m

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 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in East Chicago
Sun, Apr 19, 7:14 AM CDT
Return by in Bloomington
Sun, Apr 19, 12:14 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bloomington
2026-04-19T04:15
Arrive East Chicago
Sun, Apr 19, 8:14 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
8:59 AM to 10:59 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:02 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bloomington
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Dayton
IN

Town in Indiana, USA

From Bloomington
103.2 mi
01h 59m
To East Chicago
103.1 mi
01h 59m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
58°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 12 mph WNW
Destination
51°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Bloomington and East Chicago.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington and East Chicago.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    30 m · 11 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Indiana Avenue

    1083 ft · 39 sec · South Indiana Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East 7th Street

    1881 ft · 1 min · East 7th Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto North Walnut Street

    4.4 mi · 7 min · North Walnut Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp straight

    1834 ft · 45 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    38.2 mi · 42 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight left toward I 465 West, I 74 West: Peoria

    1.4 mi · 3 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    9.2 mi · 11 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    3.9 mi · 5 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight left toward I 65 North: Chicago

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight right

    17.9 mi · 20 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 52 West

    1281 ft · 16 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left

    786 ft · 10 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    120.1 mi · 2 hr 12 min

  15. 15

    Turn left onto East 5th Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · East 5th Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on East 4th Avenue

    3.7 mi · 6 min · East 4th Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on Airport Road

    2.9 mi · 5 min · Airport Road

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on US 12 West, SR 912 North: Columbus Drive, Cline Avenue

    42 m · 2 sec

  19. 19

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Columbus Drive

    46 m · 3 sec · East Columbus Drive

  20. 20

    Exit the roundabout onto East Columbus Drive

    1.2 mi · 2 min · East Columbus Drive

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Columbus Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Bloomington and East Chicago.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
21 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
4 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 52 West
120 mi · 58%
North Walnut Street
43 mi · 21%
I 65 North
19 mi · 9%
I 465 West
14.6 mi · 7%
East 4th Avenue
3.72 mi · 2%
Airport Road
2.88 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 52 West

Merge slight left

120 mi · 02h 12m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 59m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28.6 mi
177.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Dayton
01h 59m from Bloomington
Leave By
9:02 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny leaving Bloomington and Mostly Sunny near East Chicago.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bloomington to East Chicago?

The road trip is about 206.4 miles (332.2 km) and usually takes 03h 59m 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?

Dayton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 103.2 miles from Bloomington and 103.1 miles from East Chicago.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 177.8 miles (286.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:02 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.45 one way or $54.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64.7 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Bloomington and East Chicago, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny around Bloomington and Mostly Sunny near East Chicago.

Stop Ideas Near Dayton

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Dayton and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town of Mulberry - Town Hall & Municipal Utilities
Scenic stop 6 mi away

Town of Mulberry - Town Hall & Municipal Utilities

Mulberry , IN
123 S Glick St, Mulberry, IN 46058, United States
Park,Municipal corporation,City or town hall,Public library,Water works
Lafayette City Hall
Meeting point 7.1 mi away

Lafayette City Hall

Lafayette , IN
20 N 6th St, Lafayette, IN 47901
Rating 5.0/5 3 reviews City Hall,City government office
Morton Community Center
Nearby stop 8 mi away

Morton Community Center

West Lafayette , IN
222 N Chauncey Ave, West Lafayette, IN 47906
Rating 4.1/5 7 reviews Community center,Dance school

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Dayton.

RAIL

Lafayette station

12 mi away
200 North 2nd St.
BUS

Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana

35 mi away
1000 Smith Ave
RAIL

Crawfordsville

38 mi away
Spring and Green Streets
RAIL

Rensselaer

71 mi away
619 North Cullen Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bloomington and East Chicago. Straight-line distance: 177.77 mi (286.09 km).

Bloomington

#1 Bloomington

The most populous city in Monroe County, Indiana.

Population85,603
Coordinates39.1653300, -86.5263900
Altitude235
CountryUnited States
East Chicago

#2 East Chicago

City in Lake County, Indiana, United States

Population27,742
Coordinates41.6392000, -87.4547600
Altitude180
CountryUnited States
Start: Bloomington (-86.52639, 39.16533)
End: East Chicago (-87.45476, 41.6392)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 332 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 52m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 56m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.28 gal
27.57 L · about $27.45
Round trip
$54.91
14.56 gal · 55.14 L
Estimated CO2
64.7 kg one way
Round trip: 129.4 kg / 285 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $27.45 $54.91
Mid-grade $4.25 $30.96 $61.92
Premium $4.65 $33.88 $67.76
Diesel $5.30 $38.61 $77.23

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 Indiana · Apr 19, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Bloomington, IN and East Chicago, IN. The current time in Bloomington is 04:15:42, although it is 03:15:42 in East Chicago.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.