How far is Bloomington, IN from Shelby, IN?

The driving distance from Bloomington, IN to Shelby, IN is about 172.7 miles (277.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 20m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 146.8 miles (236.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 41m 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
172.67 mi
03h 20m
Flight
146.81 mi
236.26 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
146.81 mi
Kilometers
236.26 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
172.67 mi
Kilometers
277.88 km
Drive Time
03h 20m

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 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Shelby
Fri, May 1, 2:01 PM CDT
Return by in Bloomington
Fri, May 1, 6:21 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bloomington
2026-05-01T11:40
Arrive Shelby
Fri, May 1, 3:01 PM EDT
Route Timing
03h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
8:21 AM to 10:21 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
10:18 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
Thorntown
IN

City in Boone County, Indiana, United States of America

From Bloomington
86.4 mi
01h 40m
To Shelby
86.3 mi
01h 40m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
59°F
Friday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph N
Destination
52°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington and Shelby.

  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

    87.4 mi · 1 hr 34 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 10: Roselawn, Demotte

    1483 ft · 43 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto West State Road 10

    3.6 mi · 6 min · West State Road 10

  17. 17

    Turn right onto County Road 300 East

    2.7 mi · 5 min · County Road 300 East

  18. 18

    Continue on Shelby Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Shelby Road

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 10th Street

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 52 West
87.8 mi · 51%
North Walnut Street
43 mi · 25%
I 65 North
19 mi · 11%
I 465 West
14.6 mi · 8%
West State Road 10
3.63 mi · 2%
County Road 300 East
2.74 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

US 52 West

Merge slight left

87.4 mi · 01h 34m

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 20m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25.9 mi
146.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Thorntown
01h 40m from Bloomington
Leave By
10:18 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny leaving Bloomington and Mostly Sunny near Shelby.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bloomington to Shelby?

The road trip is about 172.7 miles (277.9 km) and usually takes 03h 20m 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?

Thorntown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.4 miles from Bloomington and 86.3 miles from Shelby.

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

The direct path is about 146.8 miles (236.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:18 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.97 one way or $45.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.1 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Bloomington and Shelby, 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 Partly Sunny around Bloomington and Mostly Sunny near Shelby.

Stop Ideas Near Thorntown

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 Thorntown and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town of Mulberry - Town Hall & Municipal Utilities
Scenic stop 12.2 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
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 12.4 mi away

Darlington Municipal Utilities

Darlington , IN
222 W Main St, Darlington, IN 47940
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana

26 mi away
1000 Smith Ave
RAIL

Crawfordsville

27 mi away
Spring and Green Streets
RAIL

Lafayette station

41 mi away
200 North 2nd St.
RAIL

Indianapolis Union Station

56 mi away
350 South Illinois Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bloomington and Shelby. Straight-line distance: 146.81 mi (236.26 km).

Bloomington

#1 Bloomington

The most populous city in Monroe County, Indiana.

Population85,603
Coordinates39.1653300, -86.5263900
Altitude235
CountryUnited States
Shelby

#2 Shelby

Census-designated place in Indiana, United States

Population2,737
Coordinates41.1953100, -87.3478100
Altitude195
CountryUnited States
Start: Bloomington (-86.52639, 39.16533)
End: Shelby (-87.34781, 41.19531)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 278 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 45m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.09 gal
23.06 L · about $22.97
Round trip
$45.93
12.18 gal · 46.12 L
Estimated CO2
54.1 kg one way
Round trip: 108.2 kg / 239 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.97 $45.93
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.90 $51.80
Premium $4.65 $28.34 $56.69
Diesel $5.30 $32.30 $64.60

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 · May 01, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Bloomington, IN and Shelby, IN. The current time in Bloomington is 11:40:23, although it is 10:40:23 in Shelby.

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.